Isn’t Pleading Innocence Enough?
In the U.S. criminal justice system, a defendant is supposed to be considered innocent until proven guilty. Furthermore, such guilt must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is the highest legal standard there is. With all of this being said, you may think that simply pleading innocence is enough, right? Well, while this...
Why Constitutional Violations Are Relevant to Your Criminal Case
What Will Be Considered During Your Bail Hearing?
After an arrest, there will be many important things that follow that should be handled with great care as they can have significant impacts on your rights. One of those important things will be the bail hearing. At the bail hearing, a judge will decide whether you should be released on bail and,...
What Rights Does a Felon Lose in Texas?
Felonies are the most serious level of criminal offenses here in Texas. Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are considered to be lesser offenses and punishment tends to reflect his in terms of severity. Those facing felony convictions stand to do time in state prison or jail as well as incurring hefty fines. A...
What Is Hearsay?
Have you heard of hearsay? Many have as it is an objection commonly proclaimed and featured in legal dramas in films and novels alike. While you may have heard it asserted with conviction on your favorite TV show, what exactly does it mean? Hearsay refers to a prominent rule of evidence and can be...
The Criminal Appeals Process
Did you know that everyone convicted of a crime in a Texas court is entitled to appeal? The clock on this right, however, begins to tick right away and a person wishing to appeal a conviction only has 30 days from the date of conviction to file the notice of appeal. Should this notice...
The Burden of Proof in Criminal Cases
A burden of proof is a legal standard. It is the legal standard that requires parties to a case to demonstrate that a claim is either valid or invalid, a criminal charge justified or not justified, based on the facts and supporting evidence presented. In order to be successful in proving or disproving...
What Is a Hate Crime in Texas?
Do you know what a hate crime is? The federal government and 49 states have hate crime laws in place. Wyoming is the only state without a hate crime law in place. While some states address a hate crime as a separate offense, others handle hate crimes as an aggravating circumstance to a...
What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?
Have you been charged with a crime in Texas? If so, you potentially face harsh penalties including incarceration, fines, community service, and probation. Depending on the severity of the crime with which you are charged, you can face other penalties as well. In Texas, there are misdemeanor offenses and felony offenses. What,...
What Is Covered Under Attorney-Client Privilege?
In the criminal justice system, it is all too common for defendants to feel isolated. Facing a criminal charge can be a lonely and stressful experience. Having a trusted attorney by your side can bring a sense of control and anchoring when you may otherwise feel completely free floating in chaos. The law...