Committing a violent crime is never going to be viewed well in the eyes of the law. Yet, the law considers the crime even more serious in certain cases -- especially those in which specific people are targeted for one reason or another. Aggravating factors could cause...
For college students, a drug conviction can be a life-altering event with far-reaching consequences. Whether it’s a misdemeanor for possession or a felony for distribution, the repercussions extend far beyond the courtroom. Your education, career and future...
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...
One of the dangers of driving under the influence is that you just never know what could happen. The worst-case scenario is that you cause a crash that kills someone. Here in Texas, if the person who is killed is the parent or legal guardian of a minor child, you...
In Texas, it's illegal to drink when you are under 21 and for adults to provide alcohol to minors. Further, the Texas Zero Tolerance law prohibits minors from operating a motor vehicle, including a watercraft, in a public place while having any detectable amount of...