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Recent Blog Posts
Assault vs. Battery: What’s the Difference?
“Assault and battery” is a phrase most people have heard, whether on the news or on a procedural TV show. However, this phrase often doesn’t refer to a single charge. Assault and battery are two different crimes often prosecuted together because of their similar natures. In Texas, the elements of a case against a defendant for assault and battery are the same, though there are many different classifications for different degrees of the offense.
For example, assault on its own is defined as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly threatening to cause bodily injury to another person. However, following through on that threat is considered “battery.” In Texas, a charge of assault (and battery) includes causing bodily injury to another person, threatening another person with bodily injury, or causing physical contact with another person against his or her consent.
The degrees of the crime depend on whether the defendant merely threatened to cause harm or actually caused damage to another individual. It’s a Class C misdemeanor if a person threatens another with bodily harm or causes physical contact in an offensive or provocative way. For example, if you threaten to beat someone up and push them to emphasize your point, you would be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
What to Know About Indecent Exposure in Texas
While many of us have seen characters called “flashers” depicted humorously in movies and television, in reality, this kind of behavior may constitute an offense called indecent exposure. Under Texas Penal Code, Title 5, Chapter 21, Section 21.08, “indecent exposure” is defined as exposing your private parts to another person. The charge of indecent exposure is a sex crime in the state of Texas, and may carry penalties including jail time and steep fines.
According to the Texas Penal Code, a person may be charged with indecent exposure for showing their anus or any part of their genitals to another person if they do so with the purpose of sexually arousing themselves or another person. To convict someone of indecent exposure, a prosecutor must be able to prove that the defendant recklessly exposed themselves to another person, ignoring the reasonable assumption that the person or people present would be upset by this act. A charge of indecent exposure may be upgraded to sexual assault or attempted rape if unwanted touching is involved.
Federal Drug Scheduling: What You Need to Know
Drug trafficking is a state and federal crime, which carries severe consequences for offenders. A charge of drug trafficking may include the manufacturing, delivery, and sale of anything deemed a “controlled substance.” Drug trafficking laws can be highly complex, depending on which controlled substances and how much of them are involved in any given case. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) divides controlled substances into 5 schedules, based on the danger and effects of various drugs. As the schedules of these drugs vary, so do the penalties attached to them.
Federal Drug Trafficking Scheduling and Penalties
Federal drug scheduling breaks down controlled substances into the following categories:
- Schedule I Substances: Schedule I drugs are considered dangerous substances with no widely accepted medical use and high potential for abuse. Under federal U.S. law, this includes drugs such as heroin, LSD, ecstasy, PCP, methaqualone (or Quaaludes,) peyote, and marijuana.
What Are the Most Common Types of White Collar Crimes?
“White collar crime” is a common term, most often associated with corporate America. Yet, it’s not just big-time players on Wall Street who can be found guilty of this type of offense. A broad distinction, the definition of white collar crime encompasses various offenses revolving around finances, trade secrets and fraud. While non-violent in nature, these crimes can still lead to serious penalties and punishments at the state and federal level. Read on to learn more about common types of white collar crimes which may even occur in your community, and contact our experienced Plano white collar crime attorney at The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. if you or someone you know has been accused of one of these offenses.
What to Know About Internet Sex Crimes in Texas
The field of internet sex crimes has quickly become an important part of skilled criminal defense attorneys’ jobs. While sex crimes defense is already a specific area of practice unto itself, the rise of the internet has quickly given way to new kinds of sex crimes, all punishable under the law and requiring unique strategies for fighting charges in court. Conviction of one of these crimes may result in prison time and/or steep fines, as well as require guilty parties to register as a sex offender.
Texas, like most other states, has specific statutes and punishments for various types of internet sex crimes. Read on to learn more and find out what you need to know to protect yourself; then, call The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. for an internet sex crimes attorney you can trust.
Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material Law
Under Texas state penal code, Section 21.16(d), it is illegal to post, send, or otherwise distribute specific types of images online. The statute defines this behavior as criminal if you are posting images of someone’s private parts without their express consent. Posting images in which the person depicted believed said images would stay private may also carry criminal misdemeanor charges.
Diversity of Citizenship
Diversity of citizenship establishes an important legal precedent related to the difference between state and federal jurisdiction. Yet most Americans have never even heard this term. Read on to learn more, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney if you have been accused of a federal crime.
What Is Diversity of Citizenship?
Diversity of citizenship refers to cases where opposing parties involved in a lawsuit are citizens of different states or countries. If one of these parties is a corporation, they are defined as a citizen of the state where their business operates or is incorporated. If diversity of citizenship is in play, a case between two parties will fall under federal court jurisdiction, per Article III, section 2 of the United States Constitution.
This is significant, given the standard rules regarding state and federal court jurisdiction. Most civil cases, i.e. cases between two parties, start at the state rather than the federal level. However, a civil case will become a federal case under diversity of citizenship law.
What You Need to Know About Texas Solicitation Law
Solicitation refers to the sale of sexual intercourse between one individual and another in an act of prostitution. In the state of Texas, criminal charges can be brought against an individual for committing, promoting, compelling, or soliciting prostitution. These charges may be leveled against someone even if a sex act was not actually committed. An individual engages in prostitution if they knowingly participate in a sexual act or offer to engage in a sexual act for a monetary sum.
At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., we have years of experience representing individuals charged with sex crimes. With the necessary skills and resources to defend a number of solicitation-related offenses, our Plano sex crime attorney can craft a specific defense for your legal needs. We also offer free and confidential consultations, so you know we are serious about winning your case.
Understanding Solicitation Charges
Whether solicitation is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the details of the offense. While a first-time solicitation charge will usually be tried as a misdemeanor, individuals with increasing offenses risk being charged with a felony.
What is the Age of Consent in Texas?
The age of consent in the United States is the minimum age at which a person is legally allowed to agree to sexual intercourse and other sexual acts. The specific age ranges state-by-state from 16 to 18 years of age throughout the country.
In Texas, it is 17 years old and applies to both heterosexual and homosexual conduct. This means minors who are 16 years of age or younger in the state cannot legally consent to sexual activity and such an act may lead to statutory rape charges.
Statutory rape is broken into the following criminal offenses in Texas:
- Indecency with a child – This occurs when an adult—who is three years older or more than a minor who is younger than 17 years of age—engages in sexual contact (i.e. sexual touching) with the alleged victim. Indecency with a child is a second degree felony, punishable by a maximum prison sentence of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of $10,000.
- Sexual assault – This involves sexual penetration between an adult who is at least three years older or more and a minor who is younger than 17. Sexual assault is also a second degree felony.
5 Steps to Take When Under Federal Investigation
Whether you received a subpoena or federal authorities knocked on your door, being under federal investigation for an alleged criminal offense can be stressful, confusing, and downright frightening. Despite the fact that you haven’t been formally charged, it is imperative to take certain measures to protect your rights and future.
The following are five steps you should take if you are under federal investigation:
- Hire a lawyer – As soon as you learn about the federal investigation against you, do not wait until you are charged. Instead, get an attorney who is licensed to practice in federal court right away. Your lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of each stage of the investigation, protect your from legal pitfalls, and defend you in court in the event your case reaches trial.
- Remember your rights – Although you are being investigated, your constitutional rights can still protect you. For instance, if federal authorities attempt to enter your property or your office without an arrest or search warrant, you have the right to refuse entrance and refuse to speak unless your lawyer is present.
5 Steps to Take After Being Accused of a Sex Crime
Being falsely accused of a sex crime can cause substantial damage to your professional reputation and personal life—even if you haven’t been found guilty of the offense. The truth is that many people misuse these serious charges to get revenge, gain an upper hand in a family law dispute, or otherwise cause undue harm against another individual.
If you’re accused of a sex crime you didn’t commit, the next steps you take could make the difference between freedom and conviction. Not only is a sex crime in Texas punishable by a lengthy prison sentence and expensive fines, but also be required to register as a sex offender—possibly for the rest of your life.The following are the important steps to take after being falsely accused of a sex crime:
- Seek legal representation – The first step to take is to hire a criminal defense attorney. While many people facing false allegations believe their innocence will be proven at the conclusion of the investigation, or that hiring a lawyer makes them appear guilty. However, an attorney will protect your rights and future, as well as help you avoid getting into further legal trouble.
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