Shoplifting is one of the most common offenses in Texas and the Houston area. If you are arrested for shoplifting, you can expect to get cited or arrested and face a criminal charge for theft. But one additional consequence of a shoplifting arrest is that the retailer that you allegedly shoplifted from may send you…
Penalties for Prostitution in Texas in 2024
Prostitution has been illegal in Texas since the early 1900s, but prostitution laws in the state continue to evolve and, in many cases, become stricter (notably, Texas became the first state to make a first-time solicitation of prostitution charge a felony). The penalties for prostitution offenses in Texas are all contained in Chapter 43 of…
What to know about a first court date after a DWI arrest in Houston in 2024
Every week in Houston, there are dozens of arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI). Most DWI arrests are for first-time misdemeanor DWI, although there are also many arrests for more serious felony DWI charges. In Harris County, after a DWI charge, you can expect to have a court date within a week or so of…
Consequences of Refusing a Breathalyzer Test: Legal Ramifications
In the Houston area, dozens of people are arrested every day and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Immediately after an arrest, the police will ask for a breath (or blood sample) to test for the presence of alcohol or other controlled substances. But what happens if you refuse to give a breath sample? What…
What happens if you get caught shoplifting at Home Depot in Houston?
Home Depot is one of the Houston area’s largest retailers and they are known to take the prevention and enforcement of shoplifting offenses seriously. Due to the high value of many items that are sold at the Home Depot, the retailer is a target for organized theft. Earlier this year, for example, two men were…
Undercover Operations: Challenging Prostitution Sting Arrests
Law enforcement in the Houston area regularly run prostitution stings to bring charges against prostitutes and the buyers of sex. Large police agencies like the Houston Police Department have special divisions that focus on running stings in a variety of settings. But what happens when a person is arrested after a prostitution sting? What is…
What is the process for obtaining an expunction in Houston?
Every year in Houston, thousands of expunctions are filed. Most cases that are expunged are misdemeanors with many being DWI expunctions, theft or shoplifting expunctions, domestic violence expunctions or prostitution expunctions. No matter what the charge, obtaining an expunction in a criminal case is the best possible result as it results in all records of…
What happens when a non-citizen is arrested for prostitution in Houston?
Every month, law enforcement officers in Houston make dozens of arrests for prostitution and solicitation of prostitution. Under Texas law, prostitution and solicitation of prostitution are punished differently. But what happens when a person who is undocumented or is not a United States citizen is arrested for prostitution? This article talks about what an undocumented…
Will I go to jail for first-time possession of cocaine in Houston?
In the Houston area, possession of cocaine is one of the most commonly filed drug possession charges. All possession of cocaine cases are felonies with the potential for jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record. The penalties for possession of cocaine vary based on the amount a person is alleged to have possessed and…
Mistakes to Avoid After a DWI Charge in Houston
If you have never been arrested before, being charged with DWI can be an overwhelming experience and it is easy to make a mistake that can negatively impact your chances of getting the best possible result in your case. After a Houston DWI arrest, the most common mistakes include missing deadlines, hiring the wrong attorney,…
