Protective orders are used in Texas to provide immediate protection to victims of family violence and other persons in harm’s way. Someone accused of violation of a protective order could…

What is a nolo contendere plea in Texas? Nolo contendere is a relatively rare plea from a criminal defendant in Texas. Nolo contendere is often referred to as no contest,…

What is a federal safety valve in criminal cases? The federal safety valve refers to federal law 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f) , which allows a sentencing court to disregard a statutory…

What are the open container laws in Texas? Open container laws in Texas refer to statutes prohibiting the possession of open containers of alcohol in certain areas, most commonly within…

What is a federal proffer? A proffer is a written agreement that occurs after a meeting with federal authorities during which the defendant provides valuable information in hopes that this…