Texas recognizes four culpable mental states: intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, and negligently. These mental states, known as mens rea (Latin for “guilty mind”), determine what the prosecution must prove about a…
Can a child be prosecuted as an adult in Texas? Under Texas Penal Code § 8.07, a person under age 15 generally cannot be prosecuted for criminal offenses except in…
No. In most cases, it is not legal to put a GPS tracker on someone else’s car in Texas. Under Texas Penal Code § 16.06 , knowingly installing a tracking…
A grand jury in Texas is a group of 12 citizens who decide whether there is enough evidence to formally charge someone with a felony. If at least nine grand…
Bonding someone out of Tarrant County Jail typically takes 24 to 48 hours. The process involves booking, magistration, and release processing. If you’re trying to locate an inmate in Tarrant…
Is It Illegal to Leave a Pet Outside in the Cold in Texas? Yes, it is illegal to leave your pet outside in freezing conditions in Texas without adequate shelter,…
Southlake officials canceled classes at two high schools last school year after learning of a potential threat of a school shooting. Officials said the threat involved a message written on…
Reckless driving in Texas is a misdemeanor offense that carries potential jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record. Under Texas Transportation Code § 545.401 , a person commits this…
I’ve reviewed thousands of DWI reports in my career. The “odor of alcoholic beverage” appears in nearly every DWI police report in Texas, but it tells officers almost nothing about…