The legal term "conspiracy" may suffer from improper perceptions. People constantly hear the words "conspiracy theory" spoken with disdain. A legal conspiracy is not the same thing as a fictitious belief not supported by facts. Under federal and Texas state criminal...
Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense
When is someone an accessory after the fact?
Criminal activity is not always accomplished alone. An accomplice can be part of a crime at any stage, including after the crime is over. Accessory after the fact charges are relatively simple but can quickly become complicated depending on the situation and the...
What are the rules regarding community service assignments?
Not all criminal convictions lead to harsh sentences, such as lengthy prison terms. In Texas, a minor offense could result in a requirement to perform community service. Shoplifting and drunk driving may result in orders to perform community service, and the Texas...
Understanding wire fraud
In Texas, some people do not think that white-collar crimes are as serious as other types of offenses, but wire fraud and other white-collar crimes are treated harshly under federal law. People who are accused of wire fraud might need to vigorously defend against the...
When police are allowed to use K9 units during a traffic stop
Police departments in Texas and around the country routinely use trained dogs to sniff the air around vehicles during traffic stops, and the courts have ruled that this does not violate rights protected by the Fourth Amendment. One of the most important rulings...
What are the costs of Social Security fraud in Texas?
Sometimes, Social Security fraud isn't found out about until years after the fact, and thousands of dollars have been paid out already. The Social Security Administration estimated that during the 2019 fiscal year, the government sent out about $7.9 billion in...
The harsh penalties for violation of federal drug laws
Texas upholds very strict drug laws mandated by the federal government. When it comes to federal criminal defense, understanding the penalties for a drug offense can help you understand a potential sentence. Even first-time drug offenses come with strict mandatory...
Illegal evidence and exceptions to the exclusionary rule
When police officers in Texas and around the country conduct searches without first obtaining a warrant, the evidence they discover is not usually admissible in court because rights protected by the U.S. Constitution were violated in order to obtain it. This is known...
Police cannot force consent to search with threat to use K-9
Law enforcement agencies in Texas use canines trained to alert to the presence of illegal drugs. This alert authorizes searches of people's vehicles and other private property. When a person refuses to consent to a search, police officers have the option to bring in a...
Does jail time come with small marijuana possession charges?
Texas is one of many states that has legalized CBD and hemp. However, marijuana still remains illegal for residents to possess or use within the state's borders. While Texas has not legalized this drug like other states, it has started to see a reduction in the amount...