Posted on September 12,2024 in Criminal Defense

A man in Texas is currently scheduled to suffer the death penalty more than twenty years after being convicted of killing his two year old daughter by shaking her. Rights groups say that the evidence shows the man is innocent. We may never know the truth, and Roberson looks likely to suffer the death penalty as a result of his conviction.

Does this mean that all parents who are accused of shaking their babies face the death penalty? What about jail time if the child is not killed but only hurt? This blog will answer some of the most common questions about shaken baby syndrome and the Texas penal system. If you or your partner are facing a serious charge of injuring a child, you need the help of a Texas criminal defense attorney who knows the legal system and understands how crimes against children are treated in Texas.

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 Posted on September 05,2024 in Criminal Defense

Catalytic converter theft in the Dallas, TX area saw more than a 1,000 percent increase over the last few years. More than 1 in 100 vehicles have catalytic converters stolen, and organized criminal groups are largely responsible.

To try to bring this problem under control, Texas has recently increased penalties for catalytic converter theft and is prosecuting those caught with stolen catalytic converters. If you are accused of stealing a car or any of its parts, contact a Plano, TX criminal defense attorney immediately.

New Texas Law Increases Penalties for Stealing Catalytic Converters

In 2023, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 224, known as the "Deputy Darren Almendarez Act," aimed at cracking down on the growing issue of catalytic converter theft. This bill, named after a Texas police officer killed in front of his wife in 2022 while trying to stop three men from stealing a catalytic converter from his car, introduces much harsher criminal penalties for stealing catalytic converters.

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 Posted on August 29,2024 in Criminal Defense

A conviction can be devastating, but it does not always mean the end of the road. In some cases, it is possible to overturn a DWI conviction. Whether you can do so in your case depends on various factors, such as the specifics of your case and the strength of your legal defense. 

Overturning a conviction means that the court's original decision is reversed, which can happen through an appeal. It is important to understand that overturning a DWI conviction is challenging, but it is not impossible with the right legal assistance. A Texas DWI defense attorney can give you more information. 

What Are the Odds of Beating a DWI?

The odds of beating a DWI conviction in Texas depend on several factors, including the evidence against you, the quality of your legal representation, and whether any procedural errors occurred during your arrest or trial. While it is difficult to put an exact number on your chances, certain situations can improve your odds. 

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 Posted on August 22,2024 in Criminal Defense

Crimes such as assault, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, and drunk driving typically end with the perpetrator in jail, paying heavy fines. But what about crimes that do not involve violence or any other kind of direct physical harm to anyone? 

These kinds of crimes are typically referred to as "white collar crimes"; they are non-violent and are usually done for financial gain. White collar crimes involve complicated planning and execution and are most often done by professionals with the kind of education and access to the systems that allow this kind of crime to be committed. Private citizens, businesses, and even government officials have been convicted for white collar crimes.

Because white collar crime often involves enormous amounts of money, Texas aggressively pursues people accused of these crimes, sometimes with the help of the federal government. If you have been accused of a white collar crime, take it seriously and hire a Texas criminal defense attorney, even if you believe you are innocent or there is no evidence against you. A conviction could impact your life forever.

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 Posted on August 15,2024 in Criminal Defense

The stereotype of domestic violence is that perpetrators are always males who abuse the victims, who are always female because men simply do not respect women and do not care whether they are treated well. While this is true of some domestic violence situations, the reality is quite different.

No matter what your situation is, if you are being accused of domestic violence, you need to take these charges seriously and get a lawyer involved. Do not take chances with your future. Call a Plano, TX domestic violence defense attorney with The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. right away.

Common Misconceptions About Domestic Violence Cases

Violent husbands are not the only ones who commit acts of domestic violence. In fact, the data suggest that not only are women often responsible for intimate partner violence, but about 50 percent of domestic violence incidents in Texas are committed by other relatives, including parents, siblings, and grandparents. Alcohol also plays a role in a conflict escalating to the point of violence, as alcohol lowers inhibitions and increases emotional responses to already difficult situations. Both partners are often equally culpable for a tense situation escalating into violence, although only one partner may be willing to make accusations to the police.

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 Posted on August 08,2024 in Criminal Defense

Property rights are among the most fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution. Yet every day, people have their property confiscated by police in circumstances that seem to defy reason, let alone civil rights.

Usually, the government cannot take someone’s property without due process or fair treatment under the legal system. But asset forfeiture – when the government takes property that is suspected of being involved in criminal activity – often allows police to take people’s belongings without due process and, in many cases, to fail to return the property even if someone is not convicted of a crime.

If you are being charged with a crime and believe you have also been a victim of wrongful asset forfeiture, even if you are certain you are innocent, you need to get help right away from a Texas criminal defense attorney.

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 Posted on July 25,2024 in Criminal Defense

Parents have a responsibility to care for their children and keep them out of harm’s way. Although raising and caring for your child is largely your business, every state has laws designed to protect kids. This includes protecting kids if their parents seem to show an inability or unwillingness to properly care for their children.

If a parent is convicted of endangering a child, for instance, Texas law may question that parent’s judgment and ability to care for the child. This not only has the potential to trigger criminal charges, but it can also have an impact on child custody, which this article will discuss. If you have been accused of endangering a child, speak with an experienced Texas child endangerment attorney right away.

What Is Child Endangerment?

Under Texas law, child endangerment is when a parent, guardian, or caregiver places a child under 15 years of age in an unreasonably harmful situation. Because this definition is vague, it is often up to a court’s discretion when to consider an action as child endangerment. However, we know that certain situations are likely to be seen as child endangerment because they expose a child to imminent death, harm, or inappropriate behavior.

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 Posted on July 19,2024 in Criminal Defense

Texas is known for its harsh treatment of both adults and juveniles who are accused of sex crimes against children. Juveniles, defined as minors between the ages of 10 and 16, are subjected to a juvenile justice process that is similar to the justice system for adults. However, there are some significant differences between the juvenile justice system and the adult justice system, particularly when it comes to prosecuting sex crimes against children. Consult a Texas juvenile sex crime defense attorney if your child has been accused of committing a sex crime against a child.

What Sex Crimes Can a Juvenile Be Charged With?

A juvenile can be charged with most of the same sex crimes an adult can, including:

• Rape

• Sexual assault

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 Posted on July 10,2024 in Criminal Defense

Internet crimes, also known as cybercrimes or computer crimes, refer to criminal acts that involve the use of a computer or other electronic device, like a smartphone. Sometimes, these crimes use a computer as a vehicle, like for sending, receiving, or possessing child pornography. Other times, a computer is the target of a cybercrime, like in the case of hacking. 

This article will discuss the different types of internet crimes and possible defenses if you are charged with such crimes. Hire an experienced Texas internet crime defense attorney for the strongest possible defense against cybercrime charges.

Common Cybercrime Charges in Texas

As technology evolves, so do the ways it can be misused. A person can use the internet to harass or bully others, solicit prostitution, breach the security of other networks, commit theft, and more. 

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 Posted on July 03,2024 in Criminal Defense

When someone is arrested and charged with a crime in Texas, he or she is booked into a county jail while a court date is set. By default, the defendant — the person charged with the crime — is meant to remain in jail until the trial. However, to allow people to continue living their lives in the weeks or months before the trial, the law offers most defendants an option called "bail."

This article will discuss what bail is, how Texas courts determine bail amounts, and how you can challenge a court’s bail decision. Keep in mind that hiring a Texas bail lawyer is key to successfully navigating the bail process.

What Is Bail?

If you are charged with a crime, a court will likely give you the option of getting out of jail by paying the state a certain amount of money. This money is called bail, and it serves as a deposit to make sure you do not run away or commit a crime again before your trial. If you do everything you are supposed to do and show up to all your court appearances, the bail money should be returned to you after the trial.

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