A “no contest” plea deal is often used as a plot device in the media, but the use of this particular plea is pretty rare. There are a few recent cases where it’s come up. A former radio host plead no contest to a sex crime in Denton County. A local man entered a no…

A recent Houston case resulted in a $9.2 million forfeiture and prison for seven due to the sale of synthetic drugs. While synthetic drugs are often portrayed as legal in popular media, they can get you into a lot of trouble. For example, here in Texas the sale of synthetic marijuana has been explicitly banned…

It goes without saying that if posts you’ve made on your various social media accounts help prosecutors build a case against you, they’re going to want to use them. You can bet that law enforcement has done everything in its power to review your social media accounts, looking for that evidence.  You’d be surprised what…

It’s easy to get falsely accused of domestic violence. As soon as someone puts in a call, the police are usually going to arrest someone. Sometimes they even arrest the party who put in the call. They’re not necessarily wrong to do so: over half of all violent relationships are characterized by bi-directional violence. In…

Having your criminal records sealed can help you rebuild your life after a conviction. Juvenile records are on “restricted access” automatically, which means they’re sealed to anyone but law enforcement from the time the child turns 21. These records may be unsealed only if the child is convicted of another crime.   Unfortunately, expunging or sealing…

While the First Amendment does offer you freedom of speech, there are also numerous instances in which you may be arrested for saying or printing words that can be construed as threatening.  For example, a Houston man recently jumped on to social media to make a terrorist threat against the County Fair. He has been…

Texas has maintained a DNA database since 1995. The purpose is to help them identify possible offenders in crimes that have been committed. When can they take DNA? Texas law enforcement may take DNA when: They have arrested, and are booking, a person who is suspected of committing sexual assault or other sexual crimes.  They…

There are several types of homicide charges in Texas. Murder and manslaughter aren’t the only differences you need to worry about. If your alleged actions led to the death of another human being, you could be charged with: 1st Degree Murder 2nd Degree Murder  Capital Murder Manslaughter Intoxication Manslaughter Criminally negligent homicide Here’s what you…

Doctors who perform an abortion in Texas, anyone who furnishes the means for an abortion, or anyone who assists or causes an abortion, now face life in prison and a $100,000 fine. The change is due to a trigger law that went into effect once Roe v. Wade was overturned in Dobbs v. Jackson earlier…

Houston has a new ordinance requiring bars, nightclubs, “sexually oriented businesses,” gambling businesses, and convenience stores to not only install outdoor security cameras, but to share security camera data with police officers. The cameras must surveil not just the stores, but the surrounding areas as well.  Police officers do not have to obtain a warrant…