Direct Indictments In Texas
Navigating the criminal justice system can be tricky. Most laypeople find it confusing and, just when they think they’ve got the process somewhat figured out, something comes along that throws…
Capital Punishment: The State of the Death Penalty in Tarrant County and Texas
Two death penalty trials recently concluded in Tarrant County, marking the third time in 2024 that prosecutors have pursued the death penalty and got it. This is particularly notable because,…
Sex Case Overturned After Tarrant Prosecutors Fail to Timely Turn Over Evidence
Trials are like a game of chess. The best attorneys are always thinking several moves ahead. In every case that goes to trial, we are not just preparing our arguments…
Could Supreme Court Ruling On Non-Unanimous Verdicts Affect Texas Jury Trials?
Prior to April 20, 2020, 48 states and the federal system required unanimous jury verdicts for serious criminal offenses. Louisiana and Oregon, however, only required a 10-2 jury verdict, meaning…
Tarrant DA breaks protocol in latest officer-involved shooting. What will happen next?
Duplicity in Prosecution or Politics as Usual? In recent days, Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson has publicly stated that her office plans to pursue a murder indictment against former…
Dual Sovereignty Reigns Over Double Jeopardy | Gamble vs. United States (2019)
Gamble vs. U.S. (2019) The Supreme Court handed down its decision in Gamble vs. United States (No. 17–646) on July 17 in which the Court declined to put an end…
2019 Criminal Law Update | 40 New Criminal Laws
Updated: July 22, 2019 – Here are the 40 new criminal law legislative changes you need to be aware of from the 86th legislative session in Texas. Most of the…
The First Step Act: What You Need To Know
What is the First Step Act? The First Step Act, formally known as the Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act, signed into law on December 21,…
Warrant Required for Law Enforcement to Test Blood Drawn for Medical Purposes
The Court of Criminal Appeals handed down State v. Martinez , answering whether the State’s testing of blood previously drawn by hospital personnel for medical purposes constitutes a search under the…