It is not uncommon for a CPS investigation to occur at the same time a criminal investigation is taking place in Texas. This is especially true in cases involving allegations of child physical or sexual abuse or neglect. In Texas, CPS is required, by law, to refer all reports of child abuse or neglect to […]
Federal Sentencing Hearings A federal sentencing date is, undoubtedly, a day no one looks forward to. This is the day when a judge announces a defendant’s prison sentence and how long he or she will be on supervised release after serving time. The judge will also order any fines or mandatory financial assessments at this […]
It’s a hot summer day and you are out running errands with your toddler. You park in a convenience store parking lot and notice that your baby is asleep in the car seat. You decide to quickly run into the store, leaving your child in the car unattended. Can you be arrested for leaving a […]
After someone is convicted in federal court – either by pleading guilty or by a trial – the federal sentencing process begins. Unlike state court, a judge is the only entity that can hand down a sentence in federal court. To arrive at a fair and just punishment, the federal judge relies heavily on something […]
If you have been arrested for a federal crime, you will be asked to enter an initial plea of “guilty” or “not guilty” very early in the process. This can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if this is your first time in the federal justice system. In this article, we are going to explain when […]
Although it is rare, judges sometimes choose to sequester, or isolate, a jury in high-profile criminal trials. Basically, the jurors are kept away from other people and outside influences for the duration of the trial. In this article, we will explain jury sequestration and answer common questions about the process, including the advantages and disadvantages […]
Each year, thousands of mentally ill people are arrested in Texas. A small number of them will plead “not guilty by reason of insanity.” But what does that mean? And what happens to them if they are found not guilty by reason of insanity? Not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) is a seldom-used defense […]
When clients call our law firm to discuss intoxication offenses, they often use the words DUI and DWI interchangeably. However, these two offenses are not the same thing in Texas. A DUI is reserved solely for people under the age of 21, while a person of any age can be charged DWI as long as […]
During criminal trials and proceedings, you will see attorneys stand up and make various objections. But what do these objections mean? And why are they being made? Criminal courtroom terminology and proceedings can be confusing for those not familiar with the law. In this blog post, we are going to explain five of the most […]
In Texas, it is not uncommon for judges to issue gag orders in high-profile criminal cases. But what exactly is a gag order and why are they necessary? In this article, we will discuss gag orders in Texas, their purpose, and the consequences of violating one. What is a gag order? A gag order is […]
