You may be surprised to learn that an estimated 2 to 5 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP) is represented by money that is laundered across international borders. The criminal offense of money laundering occurs when a person conceals the identity, source, or destination of money that has been acquired unlawfully. Both state and federal laws prohibit money laundering. If you are being investigated by a federal government agency for possible money laundering, it is imperative to seek help from a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Federal Money Laundering Charges

It is important to note that money laundering involves the concealment or attempted concealment of profits from criminal activity. If you sold an expensive diamond ring and then failed to report that money to the IRS, for example, this may be in violation of tax law, but it is not money laundering. Furthermore, the United States Supreme Court mandates that federal money laundering laws do not apply if an individual is only making money from a crime but not hiding it. For example, if a criminal defendant runs an illegal lottery, he or she is receiving money from a crime, but this does not constitute money laundering if he or she does not hide the proceeds. A conviction for money laundering requires prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is concealing profits from the illegal activity.

Continue Reading...

While all criminal charges have the potential to be life-changing, being accused of a crime against a child can be especially disastrous. If you have been charged with an offense related to child pornography in Texas, you should not take these charges lightly. If convicted, you could face incarceration, substantial fines, plus a lifetime of stigma. A qualified criminal defense lawyer with experience fighting child pornography charges can help you understand your legal options if you have been accused of possessing, creating, or distributing child pornography.

Possession of Child Pornography 

Title 9 of the Texas Penal Code addresses crimes related to child pornography. In Texas, it is against the law to produce, distribute, or possess media depicting a person under age 18 engaging in sexual conduct. This can include still photographs, videos, and other materials. Sexual conduct is defined in the law as actual or simulated intercourse, masturbation, deviate sexual intercourse, sexual bestiality, lewd exhibition of the genitals, anus, or female breast, and sadomasochistic abuse. If you are convicted of viewing or possessing child pornography, you face a third-degree felony punishable by 2 to 10 years of incarceration and a fine up to $10,000. If you have previously been convicted of possessing child pornography, the offense is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. A third or subsequent child pornography conviction carries penalties including up to 99 years of imprisonment.

Continue Reading...

The manufacture of illegal drugs may be prosecuted at the Texas state level or at the federal level. Federal crimes typically carry much stricter criminal penalties than state crimes. There are many different ways that drug possession, drug manufacturing, or drug distribution charges can be considered federal offenses. In some cases, something as simple as consuming an illegal drug on federal property such as a National Park may be enough reason for a criminal offense to be prosecuted at the federal level. If you or a loved one is facing federal drug manufacturing charges, do not take these accusations lightly. Contact a criminal defense attorney qualified to defend against charges levied by the federal government as soon as possible.

Federal Law Regarding the Manufacture of Drugs

Chapter 21 of the U.S. Code lists the laws prohibiting the manufacture of controlled substances in the United States. The law states that it is illegal to intentionally or knowingly:

Continue Reading...

Being charged with a criminal offense related to kidnapping, child abducting, unlawful restraint, or smuggling of persons should never be taken lightly. The criminal penalties for these crimes vary depending on the circumstances, but some can result in a lifetime of incarceration. False allegations about holding a child against his or her will can stem from a malicious ex-spouse or other individual, or they may simply be the result of a misunderstanding. If you have been falsely accused of kidnapping or abduction, you need to speak with a criminal defense attorney immediately to learn how best to defend against these serious accusations.

Texas Laws Regarding Kidnapping and Aggravated Kidnapping

Texas statutes state that an individual commits the crime of kidnapping if he or she knowingly abducts another individual. “Abduct” is defined as restraining another person with the intent to prevent his or her freedom by either holding him or her somewhere that he or she cannot be found or through the threat or use of deadly force.

Continue Reading...

When it comes to children, the terms “neglect” and “abandonment” are often used together; however, these are two separate legal issues. Child neglect is a term used in the Texas Family Code to describe a situation in which a child is left unattended in an unsafe environment. Abandoning a child is defined in Texas Penal Code as not providing “reasonable and necessary care for the child” and leaving the child in a situation that most reasonable adults would not allow. If you have been charged with child abandonment in Texas, the penalties can be severe. Speaking with a criminal defense attorney experienced in handling crimes against children can help clear your name and avoid a criminal record.

Being Accused of Child Neglect

According to Texas law, parents are responsible for providing children with necessities like food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and appropriate supervision. The Texas Family Code identifies several acts that are considered neglect. These include but are not limited to:

Continue Reading...

“You have the right to remain silent. Whatever you say can potentially be used against you in a court of law.” You have probably heard this phrase, called the Miranda warning, many times before, either in real life or on television and in movies. However, have you ever really thought about the importance of your right to remain silent? Invoking your Constitutional right to stay silent can sometimes be the difference between an acquittal and a criminal conviction. It is imperative for everyone to understand what their rights are with regard to self-incrimination.

Miranda v. Arizona Requires Police to Inform You of Certain Rights

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution established several crucial rights, including the right of citizens to avoid incriminating themselves. The Constitution states that no person “shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.” This right was further defined by the 1966 Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona. The Supreme Court held that a criminal defendant cannot be interrogated by police until he or she has been made aware of his or her right to say nothing. The landmark case also established that law enforcement officers must make criminal defendants aware of their right to consult with an attorney and the right to have an attorney present during any police questioning. Under the “exclusionary rule,” if a defendant does not receive the Miranda warning, any statements he or she makes could be inadmissible in court.

Continue Reading...

The Internet has revolutionized the way that we communicate with each other. However, there are several ways that online discussions or digital communication can be a criminal offense. An individual can be charged with online solicitation of a minor if he or she uses the Internet to send sexually explicit messages or media to a child under 17 years old or to a person who the actor believes to be under 17 years old. A conviction for online solicitation has the potential to impact the rest of your life. If you or someone you know has been charged with solicitation of a child or any crime against children, you need to speak with a criminal defense attorney right away.

What Constitutes Solicitation of a Child in Texas?

According to the Texas Penal Code, a person over the age of 17 commits online solicitation of a child if he or she communicates with a child under 17 years old via email, the Internet, or text messages with the intention of committing one of the following crimes: trafficking of persons, indecency with a child, continuous sexual abuse of a child, sexual assault, prohibited sexual conduct, compelling prostitution, aggravated promotion of prostitution, possession or promotion of child pornography, or sexual performance by a child. An adult can also be charged with online solicitation of a child if he or she uses email, text messages, or a commercial service to intentionally solicit a minor to meet another individual, including himself or herself, for the purposes of sexual contact.

Continue Reading...

Human trafficking is the term used to describe the process through which individuals are transported for the purposes of forced labor and other exploitation. Children are often the victims of trafficking in Texas and throughout the United States. Nearly a quarter of the approximately 300,000 American children forced into sex trafficking every year live in Texas. Children involved in child trafficking may be tricked or forced into working in sweatshops, restaurants, brothels, escort operations, or worse. In some cases, children are forced into acting as child soldiers or domestic servants in other countries. Texas law carries stiff penalties for all human trafficking activities, but there are especially harsh criminal consequences for child trafficking. If you are charged with child trafficking in Texas, you could face years or even life in prison.

Defining Child Trafficking According to Texas Law

Texas statutes state that an individual commits trafficking of persons if he or she knowingly:

Continue Reading...

While many drug charges are handled at the state level, certain drug offenses are investigated and prosecuted at the federal level. Federal drug charges carry significantly harsher penalties than state charges. An individual who is charged with federal drug trafficking can face years or even decades of incarceration. If an individual is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), or another federal government agency for a drug-related offense, it is imperative that he or she contact a qualified criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Drug Offenses Prosecuted in Federal Court

If a federal agency like the DEA or FBI becomes involved in a possible drug crime, it is likely that any resulting charges will be prosecuted in federal court. Federal drug charges are often the result of cases that involve a considerable amount of drugs or the transportation of drugs across state lines. You could be charged with federal drug trafficking for possessing:

Continue Reading...

There is a significant amount of controversy surrounding corporal punishment in the United States. Some parents feel that spanking their children is an effective form of discipline, while others avoid any form of physical punishment. Data shows that the percentage of parents using corporal punishment is slowly declining. According to a study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, approximately 37 percent of children under 18 were spanked by a parent or guardian in 2014. It is important for any parent choosing to employ corporal punishment to understand when spanking or other physical punishments may break the law and be considered crimes against children.

Understanding Texas Law Regarding Bodily Injury to a Child

It can be hard to know exactly when the physical punishment of a child crosses the line into abuse. According to Texas law, hitting a child could constitute “assault bodily injury family violence” or “injury to a child” depending on the circumstances. The Texas Penal Code states that an individual commits injury to a child if he or she intentionally or recklessly causes bodily or mental injury to a child under 15 years of age. Assault with a bodily injury of a family member occurs when a person knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly causes pain, injury, illness, or impairment to a family member. Striking a child does fit these definitions; however, it is very unlikely that a parent or guardian would be convicted of these crimes for spanking alone.

Continue Reading...

Texas law prohibits certain activities from being committed against people who do not have the capacity to protect themselves or adequately look out for their own best interests. These individuals can include the elderly, disabled, and those under a certain age. The crime “Exploitation of Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual” is a serious offense under Texas law. If you are convicted of child exploitation, you may face years of incarceration and have your personal and professional reputation destroyed. It is crucial for anyone facing criminal charges related to child exploitation to speak with a criminal defense attorney experienced in defending against these types of serious allegations.

Defining Exploitation With Regard to Texas Law

Section 32 of the Texas Penal Code describes Exploitation of Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual and the criminal penalties associated with a conviction. An individual commits this crime if he or she knowingly or recklessly causes the exploitation of a disabled person, elderly individual, or child under age 14. Exploitation can include any activity which involves the improper or illegal use of a child, elderly person, or disabled person for personal or financial gain. Child exploitation can include coercing a child into sexual activities, forcing them to perform cheap labor, involving a child in drug running or sex trafficking, and more.  

Continue Reading...

Crimes against children involve more negative stigma than perhaps any other criminal offense. If a person is convicted of a crime related to child abuse or sexual contact with a child, he or she could face years or even decades of personal and criminal consequences. The criminal offense “Injury to a Child” includes a wide range of actions against children or other vulnerable individuals. Section 22.04 of the Texas Penal Code describes the crime of Injury to a Child. If you are convicted of violating this statute, you could face heavy fines, years of incarceration, and significant damage to your reputation.

Understanding Texas Law Regarding Injury to a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual

Texas law includes many different offenses under the umbrella of “Injury to a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual.” You can be convicted of this offense if you knowingly, intentionally, recklessly, or by omission cause injury to a child, disabled person, or elderly person. “Injury” can include bodily injury as well as mental injury, deficiency, or impairment. You can also be charged with this crime if you owe a duty of care to the person in question, and your failure to act causes him or her to suffer an injury.

Continue Reading...

The federal government has jurisdiction over certain types of “white collar crimes,” such as fraud, embezzlement, forgery, and more. Criminal penalties for federal offenses are often much more severe than punishments for state charges. If you are convicted of a federal crime, you could face incarceration in federal prison and substantial fines. If you are being investigated by a federal agency, it is critically important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your rights.

What Constitutes Fraud Under Federal Law?

The United States Code Title 18 defines federal fraud as knowingly committing one of the following actions:

Continue Reading...

Criminal offenses against children, such as possession of child pornography, sexual assault against a child, and child abuse, carry more stigma than almost any other crime. When an individual is accused of a crime such as these, he or she may lose friends, family members, his or her career, and more. This is why false allegations of child sexual abuse are such an alarming issue. A woman in Arkansas is now facing her own criminal charges after fabricating a story about her husband’s alleged crimes against children.

Woman Says She Found Explicit Images of Children on Her Husband’s Phone

In 2018, a 34-year-old Arkansas woman went to police to make a report of her husband’s alleged sexual assault and domestic violence. She claimed that she had caught her husband sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl and that her husband attacked her when she interrupted the alleged crime. She showed investigators a bruise from the supposed attack as well as pictures on her husband’s phone depicting child pornography. However, when investigators looked further into the woman’s allegations, they discovered that the truth was wildly different than what the woman had claimed.

Continue Reading...

Fall is just around the corner, but the hot weather in Texas has not relented. Many news outlets have run stories about the dangers of leaving children in cars during hot weather. Even when the outside temperature is only in the 70s or 80s, the temperature inside a car can climb much higher. Children left in hot vehicles can quickly become overheated and even die due to the extreme temperatures. According to the nonprofit group Kids and Cars, over 600 children have passed away in hot cars in the United States since 1990. You probably know that leaving a child unattended in a vehicle is dangerous, but you may wonder if it is considered a crime. In certain circumstances, leaving a child in a vehicle unattended constitutes a criminal charge in Texas.

Texas Penal Code Regarding Children Left in Cars

According to Texas law, there are certain situations in which it is against the law to leave a child unsupervised in a vehicle. The Texas Penal Code states that is a Class C misdemeanor criminal offense to knowingly leave a child in a motor vehicle if the child is all of the following: 

• Under the age of 7

  ...

  Continue Reading...

Being charged with any type of crime can be a shocking and overwhelming experience. However, being accused of a crime you did not commit is perhaps one of the worst feelings in the world. This is especially true if you are facing criminal charges related to a sex crime against a child. Due to the heinous nature of child sexual abuse, many people accused of these crimes are treated as if an accusation alone proves their guilt. Fortunately, the United States Constitution protects criminal defendants’ rights to due process and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. If you or a loved one has been charged with sexual assault of a child, it is imperative that you speak with an attorney experienced in defending against such serious accusations.

Texas Law Regarding Sexual Assault of a Minor

As in all other U.S. states, special laws exist in Texas to protect children from sexual contact with adults. Texas law considers a person under age 17 to be a child. The crime of sexual assault against a child is committed if an individual knowingly:

Continue Reading...

With the rise of drug addiction across the United States, both the federal and state governments are taking measures to combat this growing epidemic. There is an increasing sentiment for creating harsher penalties for drug possession. Texas, as a border state where drug smuggling is likely to occur, has in many ways led the national trend toward more stringent punishment for drug crimes. Currently, Texas has some of the most no-nonsense drug laws in the nation. Therefore, it is important to understand those laws and the penalties for violating them.

Laws for Drug Possession

Controlled substances may include both illegal drugs and prescription drugs, and illegal possession of these substances can result in criminal charges. Controlled substances are grouped into several different "schedules" based on their medical uses, their potential for addiction, and the dangers they present to their users. These schedules are identified in Texas state statute Title 6, which also specifies the punishments a person may face for possessing different amounts of these substances.

Continue Reading...

Money laundering can occur in various forms, but it always involves money that was made as a result of illegal activities. It is defined as the concealment of the origins of illegally obtained money, typically by means of transfers involving foreign banks or legitimate businesses. The money produced from the crime is considered “dirty,” and the process “launders” it to make it look clean or legitimate. If a person knowingly concealed, transported, invested, or spent money that was made in an illegal way, he or she participated in committing this crime. Under the Texas penal code, money laundering is classified as a white-collar crime. This type of crime involves deceit and is motivated by the desire for financial gain. In Texas, the penalties for money laundering depend on how much money someone is accused of laundering, but this crime is always charged as a felony.

Three Stages of Money Laundering

Typically, money laundering involves three steps: 

Continue Reading...

Many states have passed laws that legalize the use of marijuana, both medically and recreationally. Texas has been historically recognized as one of the most conservative states and the use of cannabis is labeled as more liberally leaning. However, Texas legislation has begun to move toward this “liberal pathway.” In early June, House Bill 3703 was signed by Governor Greg Abbott. This bill expands medical marijuana access and use across the state of Texas, but still has strong regulations over the substance that could lead to criminal drug charges.

The Details of House Bill 3703

On June 14, House Bill 3703 was signed, effective immediately. This law now allows people with certain medical conditions to be eligible for medical marijuana use. Patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, terminal cancer, autism, spasticity, or incurable neurodegenerative disease access to medical marijuana treatments. However, this form of medication cannot be smoked and must be used in the form of an oil or an inhaler. The CBD oil that is legal in Texas contains low levels of THC, the psychoactive element found in marijuana. Medicinal CBD products that are legal in Texas only contain 0.5 percent THC and over-the-counter CBD products have 0.3 percent. The intent of this bill is to allow those with the specified health issues to benefit from medical marijuana use while continuing to restrict the public or social use of the substance.

Continue Reading...

Many people have memories of sitting around a campfire with family or friends, roasting marshmallows on a summer or fall evening. Large bonfires can also be a way to dispose of leaves or unwanted trash. Accidental fires can start for many reasons, sometimes in the forest and, in other cases, at a home or building. For some individuals, however, fire can also abet illegal activity. Fires that are started intentionally may fall under the criminal act of arson. If a person is charged with this violent crime, having an experienced criminal defense attorney’s help is crucial, since the penalties for arson in Texas are significant. Understanding what acts constitute arson is important to avoid accidentally committing the crime or to comprehend possible criminal charges and their consequences. 

The Act of Arson Explained

Under Texas law, the act of arson is committed if an individual starts a fire or causes an explosion with the intent to destroy another person’s property. Not only does the arsonist damage another individual’s property, but he or she can also potentially cause severe or fatal injuries to anyone on that property. These will only lead to additional charges and harsher punishments. The act of arson extends past just setting someone’s house on fire. Charges can result from starting fires that are intended to damage or destroy vegetation, fences, or structures on open land. More commonly known, setting fires to homes, vehicles, or buildings may also be considered arson. 

Continue Reading...