It’s a common misconception that the victim of a crime decides whether or not the suspected perpetrator is taken into custody and charged with the crime. In reality, police are obligated to investigate suspected crimes within a reasonable level of suspicion, and if probable cause is found, bring the suspect into custody. In fact, the final decision isn’t up to the police either - it comes down to a state prosecutor. Read More

Embezzlement is a crime frequently mentioned in our favorite television dramas, usually portrayed by a white-collar employee at a big corporate firm, typing away on a laptop in the dark of their empty office building. While embezzlement may not always be as intense or dramatic as it’s commonly portrayed, it is a crime taken very seriously in Texas, and isn’t always perpetrated by a disgruntled vice president in a Read More

While the two terms are often used interchangeably, there are cases where one can be acquitted of a crime while also not being found “not guilty”. Just as a square is always a rectangle, but a rectangle isn’t always a square, being found not guilty is an acquittal - but an acquittal doesn’t always mean a charge of not guilty. How Does Acquittal Work? Acquittal means that the accused person cannot be found guilty of Read More

After being brought to court, the most important decision you have to make is what plea you will make. In Texas, you have the options of guilty, not guilty, and no contest. Most people are familiar with guilty or not guilty, but the plea of no contest provides an important option that could save you from a civil suit in the future. Not Guilty If you plea not guilty, a trial will be held to determine your culpability Read More

When you’ve been arrested for a federal crime, the first thing you should consider is legal counsel. Regardless of your situation, an experienced criminal defense attorney will protect you and ensure that your ability to defend your case is not compromised. You should make known your desire to have an attorney as soon as possible, which should be immediately. If you are starting to be questioned, especially after Read More

One thing most people dread about an arrest or conviction is simply having that “event” on their criminal record for all eternity. Many jobs require candidates to go through background checks during the interview process. Fair or not, those with arrests or convictions on their record have these criminal events hanging around their necks.  In some circumstances, though, Texans may limit the ability of certain Read More

Knowing that the police are investigating you about a possible crime is not a comfortable feeling. That same stress can be more acute when you are stopped by police or actually arrested. No matter what happens with law enforcement, you still have certain rights as a Texan and American.  However, the onus is on you, in many cases, to assert those rights. Below are some essential tips for dealing with the Read More

More than half of Texans 21 and older regularly drink alcohol, and the state contains nearly 18 million licensed drivers. It’s not surprising, then, that driving while intoxicated (DWI) is one of the most common crimes in Texas. That doesn’t make a DWI arrest any less frightening for defendants and their families.  If you or someone close to you is fresh off a DWI arrest, you probably have dozens of questions. Below, Read More

When most people hear the term “drug trafficking,” they imagine large vehicles transporting huge amounts of drugs across state (or even national) borders. In fact, while trafficking certainly does encompass the transportation of drugs, it is also used to describe a wide array of other actions involving controlled or counterfeit substances.  Definition of Federal Drug Trafficking  21 USC § 841 makes it illegal to Read More

Referring patients to a specialist—podiatrist, neurologist, or ENT, for example—is a common outcome for many patients seen by general practitioners and internists. Webs of connected medical professionals are more complex than ever. While many can interpret that as one of many signs of an advancing health care system, government programs are keen to make sure medical referrals, services, and products are made in good Read More