What Should I Expect When I Go to Criminal Court?
Going to criminal court for the first time can be a scary process. If you have limited exposure to the criminal justice system, you likely have no idea what to…
What is Deferred Adjudication in Texas?
What is Deferred Adjudication in Texas? The most straightforward explanation of deferred adjudication is that it is just like probation, but it is not a conviction. Deferred adjudication in Texas…
When Does A Crime Become A Hate Crime In Texas?
Hate Crimes on Rise Hate crimes are soaring across the United States, reaching their highest level in more than a decade. It seems that every day, a new crime occurs against…
State Jail Diligent Participation Credit | Early Release
State Jail Diligent Participation Credit Texas currently has 19 state jails housing approximately 9,500 state-jail offenders. Under Penal Code Section 12.35, a person serving time for a state-jail felony may…
Judicial Clemency in Texas | Setting Aside Convictions
What is Judicial Clemency? One of the least discussed areas of criminal law in Texas is a judge’s power to set aside certain straight probation sentences. (Click here to read…
Confidential Informants: Exceptions to Informer Privilege
Confidential Informants Often fodder for Hollywood blockbusters such as Black Mass, Reservoir Dogs, and The Departed, the secrecy surrounding the identity of confidential informants has always captivated the public. Though…
Rule 35 Agreement Reducing a Federal Sentence | Rule 35 Agreement
Rule 35 Agreement to Reduce a Federal Sentence As many know, under the federal system the most powerful departure from the United States Sentencing Guidelines exists under U.S.S.G. 5k1. This…
Collins v. Virgina Limits the Fourth Amendment Automobile Exception
Collins v. Virginia In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court decided that the automobile exception does not allow police to enter the curtilage of home to search a parked vehicle….
Tarrant County Magistration | Arraignment | How Long to Make Bond?
Changes in Tarrant County Magistration For many years, bonds in Tarrant County were set by municipal magistrates throughout the county. This meant individuals in different cities could receive vastly different…