Posted on April 04, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Last October, President Biden issued a proclamation pardoning federal convictions for simple marijuana possession offenses. The proclamation is just one step in the trend toward reducing and, in many cases, eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana-related offenses.

Although many states have decriminalized or legalized marijuana, marijuana flower and THC products are still considered Schedule I controlled substances under federal law. Make no mistake, marijuana-related offenses can still lead to significant penalties - especially if you are accused of large-scale cultivation or distribution of marijuana.

Drug Trafficking Offenses Related to Cannabis or Marijuana

Although it is still illegal in Texas, being caught with a small quantity of marijuana will not typically lead to significant jail time. However, the same is not true for the possession of larger quantities of marijuana or for the cultivation, distribution, or trafficking of the substance.

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 Posted on March 29, 2023 in Criminal Defense

As a parent, perfection is impossible. Child experts frequently change their minds about what is best for children, and parenting styles change with the times. So, it is understandable that parents may struggle to find a balance between giving their children freedom and autonomy while also providing them with the necessary guidance and support they need to develop into responsible adults.

Some parents choose to give their children ample freedom, allowing them to stay home alone, take public transportation, or make decisions about their own clothing and meals. However, permissive parenting styles such as "free-range parenting" can sometimes lead to accusations of child neglect.

The Line Between Leniency and Neglect is Not Always Clear

In a world where parents can use smartphones and other devices to be in constant communication with their children and track their every move, it can be difficult to discern what is considered an appropriate amount of freedom. Should children be allowed to stay home by themselves for a day? What about overnight? Can they ride their bikes to a neighbor's house down the block? The answers to questions are not always clear.

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 Posted on March 20, 2023 in Criminal Defense

With tax day just around the corner, now is as good a time as ever to ensure that you understand your tax-related rights as well as the penalties for tax fraud. Being accused of a white-collar crime such as tax fraud or tax evasion can lead to life-changing consequences, including prison time. Tax crimes are federal crimes, and the penalties for a conviction are often harsh.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) frequently works with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate fraudulent activities and initiate mass takedowns involving multiple companies and individuals allegedly involved in evasion schemes. If you or a loved one have been implicated in such a scheme, reach out to an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

The IRS is Vigilant for Signs of Tax Fraud

The IRS looks for certain red flags when investigating a taxpayer. Common signs that will trigger an IRS investigation include underreporting income, claiming false deductions and credits, or failing to file taxes altogether. To protect yourself against these allegations, double-check your information before filing your taxes. Make sure you are filing accurate and complete returns.

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 Posted on March 13, 2023 in Criminal Defense

The human mind is one of the most complex and mysterious phenomena in the universe. While modern medicine has made great strides in explaining and understanding how the brain works, there are still many things we do not fully understand. One such mystery is postpartum psychosis, a severe form of mental illness that can develop after childbirth. For some mothers, postpartum psychosis can lead to extreme behaviors, including harming their own children.

Understanding Postpartum Depression and Psychosis

Medical research shows that postpartum depression affects about 10 to 20 percent of new mothers. It can involve feelings of sadness and hopelessness, guilt, and difficulty forming an emotional connection with a child.

In very rare cases, mothers may experience postpartum psychosis, which manifests in much more extreme symptoms. Sufferers may experience delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, an altered sense of reality, and suicidal or homicidal thoughts.

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 Posted on March 06, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Money laundering involves concealing the origins of illegal money by moving it through legitimate channels. Because it involves disguising illegal activities, money laundering is often associated with organized crime and drug traffickers. However, it can happen in many contexts, including online dating scams.

One Texas woman is facing federal charges for her alleged involvement in a scam involving sham businesses, money mules, and romance scams. She is accused of laundering money that was stolen from alleged “romance scam” victims. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000.

Federal Charges for Involvement in an Alleged Romance Scam

A romance scam is a scam in which someone uses a dating website or social media to target people seeking companionship. The individual conducting the scam typically creates a false identity and builds trust with the other person before asking for money, often claiming it is needed for an emergency or travel expenses. Of course, online dating is extremely common in our modern world, and it is not always easy to tell whether a financial transaction is fraudulent or part of a legitimate online relationship.

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 Posted on February 28, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Finding out that a partner, an ex, a roommate, or even a parent has filed a restraining or protective order against you can be shocking. Feeling a wide range of emotional responses is totally normal, and you may wonder what implications such an order might have on your future and your reputation. Fortunately, you do not have to deal with these orders alone; people against whom these orders are filed may be able to successfully have them removed or prevented from becoming permanent with the help of a Texas criminal defense lawyer. 

Types of Protective Orders

If someone feels (or claims to feel) they or their family members are in danger from someone else, they can petition the court for a protective order. Protective orders are intended to prevent ongoing acts of stalking, family violence, or human trafficking, and there are three basic types of protective orders in Texas. 

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 Posted on February 24, 2023 in Criminal Defense

Movies are full of cocky criminals flexing their muscles and claiming that punching someone with their well-trained fists would be considered assault with a deadly weapon. But in real life, charges of assault with a deadly weapon are serious and can lead to long years in prison and hefty fines. It is worth knowing, then - what exactly is a deadly weapon under Texas law? And for that matter, what exactly is assault? 

What Does Texas Law Consider a Deadly Weapon? 

Texas law allows anything that was used with the intent to cause serious injury or death to someone else as a deadly weapon. This includes obvious objects like guns and knives, but could also include a baseball bat, rocks, a car, and yes - even hands and feet. 

What Does Texas Law Consider Assault? 

Some states distinguish between assault and battery, but in Texas, the definition of assault is fairly broad. If you intentionally, recklessly, or knowingly do any of the following, you can be charged with assault:

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 Posted on February 17, 2023 in Criminal Defense

An enormous amount of attention is currently being paid to the issue of child trafficking in the United States; there are flyers in airport bathroom stalls, ads on TV, and a general sense of panic that this issue is worse than it has ever been. The concerns mean that, when it does happen (or when it simply appears to have happened), prosecutors and judges are intent on making an example out of alleged perpetrators. 

Texas residents and visitors are at a particular risk for allegations of child trafficking because a significant amount of the real child trafficking does actually happen along the Texas-Mexico border. If you have been formally charged with child trafficking - or if you have found out that you are simply being investigated over an accusation - you need the help of an aggressive Texas criminal defense attorney who understands the law and will fight to protect your rights and reputation. 

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 Posted on February 07, 2023 in Criminal Defense

In the last few years, violent crime rates have risen in many states across the country. One of the most common violent crimes seen in Texas is that of carjacking, or stealing a car using violence or the threat of violence to the owner or driver. In certain parts of Texas, carjacking is up as much as 10 to 20 percent year over year. While the vast majority of people who steal cars are not caught and prosecuted, those who are caught face aggressive, motivated prosecutors and serious criminal penalties. If you have been charged with carjacking or vehicle theft, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands local prosecutors and judges and who will advocate for your constitutional rights. 

What Are the Punishments for Stealing a Car in Texas?

As with most states, the punishments for a specific theft crime depend on the value of the property that was stolen. If you take a car with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle, at a minimum, you face class C misdemeanor charges and could face all the way up to first-degree felony charges. For example: 

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 Posted on January 25, 2023 in Criminal Defense

A local scandal in Collin County, Texas is making headlines. At least 46 men have been arrested and face charges of solicitation of prostitution after a large network of legal agencies worked to catch the men, using undercover police officers posing as sex workers online. Those arrested included a firefighter, a pastor, a high school teacher, and even a semi-professional hockey player. The arrests targeted men who agreed to meet at local hotels for paid sex. 

Charges of prostitution can mean your reputation and standing in your community and family are changed forever. However, a charge is not the same as a conviction, and every person in this case and every other sex crime case is innocent until proven guilty. An experienced Texas sex crimes defense attorney can help fight charges of soliciting a prostitute, as well as any other sex crime charges you may face. 

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