One term you need to understand if accused of a crime is “chain of custody”. This comes into play when the police have physical evidence they hope to use against you. The chain of custody is the term for the history of a piece of evidence from the moment the police...
Pre-trial diversion is a voluntary program that allows certain offenders to avoid or delay the traditional criminal process by completing certain conditions. Instead of proceeding to trial, you agree to meet specific requirements set by the court or prosecutor. If...
It takes a long time to get your green card. The petition, application, biometrics appointment and interview are done, and you are just waiting for a decision. This is an exciting time for you, so losing your opportunity to live and work in the United States would be...
Searches are just one tool that law enforcement has at their disposal. Nonetheless, police officers cannot just search anyone at any time. When searches are conducted, they must follow certain legal protocols. What are your rights during a police search in Texas? ...
Being arrested for a crime is the first event in what’s often a lengthy legal process. One of the priorities you’ll have in this case is getting out of jail while your case is pending. This often involves the court setting a bail, which is a monetary amount that you...
Whatever type of criminal charges you are facing, the prosecution won’t take your case forward unless it has some type of evidence against you. However, there are significant differences in the quality of the evidence that might be presented and what type of evidence...
If you’ve ever watched a police thriller or true crime show, you probably heard someone being told, “You have the right to remain silent.” These words are part of your Miranda rights, which are legal protections that are backed by the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the...
When facing criminal charges, entering into a plea deal can often be a strategic move to reduce the sentence's severity or dismiss some of the charges. However, many defendants wonder: can a judge reject my plea deal? The short answer is yes; a judge can reject a...
The U.S. Constitution guarantees certain fundamental rights, including the right to free speech and protection against certain kinds of discrimination. The answer to the question of whether police can lawfully target someone for speaking Spanish is rooted in...
Recently, we discussed the importance of understanding your constitutional rights -- some of which are covered in the Miranda warning -- and how best to invoke your right to remain silent. As we noted, it’s crucial to tell law enforcement that you’re invoking this...