Archives for: May, 2019

Different Types of Burglary Charges You Can Face in Texas

Burglary

Texas law generally defines burglary as the unlawful entry into any public or private structure with an intent to commit any felony, theft, or other kind of assault while inside.

Even when a person has initially entered the premises lawfully, if they remain in the structure beyond the time they are welcomed (if a store closes, or if the owner of a home has asked you to leave, for instance), and if they intentionally try to conceal the fact that they are still there, they can be charged with burglary in this state.

This is a big deal, because Texas burglary charges can have you facing hefty penalties depending on the circumstances, and conviction can leave you with a serious [...]

How Texas Penalty Groups Impact Drug Possession Charges

Drug Crimes | Drug Possession

According to the Texas Controlled Substances Act, when a prosecutor can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intentionally possessed or controlled the possession of illicit drugs without a valid prescription and not for medical use, you will likely be convicted on drug possession charges.

Generally, drugs are divided into five penalty groups – Penalty Groups 1 through 4, and a separate grouping for possession of marijuana appropriately deemed the “Marijuana Group.” Which group “your” substance falls into can impact the drug charges you face.

In this post, we outline which substances fall under each Texas drug penalty group, and how classification can affect your drug possession charges.

Penalty Group 1

When you are found guilty of possessing any controlled [...]

Could Your Teen Be Charged with a Texas DWI This Prom Season?

Drunk Driving | DUI | DUIA

Juvenile drinking and driving have a high potential for serious crashes that could result in severe injuries and even death. Sadly, most kids neither have the history nor knowledge of all the things that might go wrong when they get behind the wheel drunk. Many of them are also so naïve that they believe bad things simply can’t happen to them.

This is probably why prom season has historically been a dangerous time for teen drivers in Texas. Prom brings parties and many other situations where teenagers are more likely to drink alcohol or use drugs. Some of these intoxicated teens will then get into cars and drive, oblivious to all the possible dangers that lie in wait.

A drunk [...]

Commit These Crimes, Go on the Texas Sex Offender Registry

Sex Crimes | Sex Offender Registry

While the Texas Sex Offender Registry was created to inform and protect the public at large, registering can negatively impact nearly every aspect of an offender’s life.

To ensure some semblance of normalcy and quality of life after conviction, sex offenders must understand exactly how registration works and how long they are required to stay on the Texas Sex Offender Registry.

Today, we’ve categorized a number of crimes based on registration period – forever, for 10 years, and none. If you have been convicted of a sex crime but don’t see it here, an experienced Texas sex crimes attorney can review your case and provide the guidance you need.

CONVICTIONS THAT REQUIRE REGISTRATION FOR LIFE IN TEXAS

Continuous Sexual Abuse [...]

Fighting Back against Texas Probation Violation Charges

Probation Violations

A probation violation is an offense occurring when you break any of the conditions a court assigned in conjunction with your probation.

While there are no official procedures for what happens immediately after a defendant violates probation, officers have wide discretion for how they’d like to handle the offense. Next steps usually depend on the type of condition you violated, whether you’ve previously been in violation, and the relationship you’ve built with your probation officer. If you are officially charged with violating your probation, you will typically receive a request to appear in court.

In today’s post, we look at six common probation violation charges, as well as possible defenses against them. After reading, if you are still unsure [...]