Restraint Enhancement in Hobbs Act Robbery Cases On May 23, 2017, in United States v. Garcia, the federal Fifth Circuit rejected the imposition of the restraint enhancement in a Hobbs Act robbery….
Whether for hunting, sport shooting or protection, Texans love their guns. In fact, more than 46 percent of people living in the Lone Star State own a gun . Unfortunately,…
What Does the Law Say about Improper Relationship Between Teacher and Student in Texas? An Improper Relationship Between Teacher and Student is a crime under Texas law, regardless of the…
Most criminal offenses in Texas have some sort of mental state requirement. These are sometimes referred to as “culpable mental states” or “mens rea” which is Latin for “guilty mind.”…
Testifying in criminal court can be nerve-wracking. The stakes are high and, in many cases, someone’s freedom is on the line. It’s imperative to put your best foot forward and…
What is the Age of Criminal Responsibility in Texas? In Texas, 17-year-olds can’t vote, serve on a jury, play lotto, or buy beer and cigarettes – but they are considered…
What is Unlawful Carry of a Weapon? Unlawful Carry of a Weapon, or UCW, refers to offenses involving the illegal possession of a handgun, illegal knife, or club in Texas….
What is the Tarrant County SWIFT Program? The Tarrant County SWIFT program is a post-plea, intensive probation program that gives high-risk, high-need offenders an opportunity to change — and immediate…
You would think defining “arrest” would be a simple task, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are police encounters, which are distinguishable from police stops, detentions, and…