There are many mitigating circumstances after someone is arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or felony in Texas. Much can factor into the range of punishment a person faces. The outcome of a case may be influenced by: Mandatory punishments Criminal history Circumstances of the crime Severity of the crime Some offense committed in Texas… read more
Category: Criminal Law
Kidnapping is both a state and a federal crime in Texas, and an alleged offender may face both federal and state charges in many kidnapping situations. Kidnapping charges may range from misdemeanors up and through to first-degree felonies in Texas. There are several kidnapping charges in Texas, including: Aggravated kidnapping Kidnapping Unlawful transport Unlawful restraint… read more
Texas Criminal Statute of Limitations
Texas and all other states have criminal statutes of limitations that apply to their felony and misdemeanor offenses. A statute of limitations is a law forbidding prosecutors from charging an alleged offender with a crime committed more than a specified number of years ago. Statutes of limitations exist for the following reasons: Relevant evidence may… read more
Juvenile Diversion Programs in Texas
A juvenile diversion program is a program or approach to hold youth accountable for their behavior without resorting to typical criminal legal sanctions. Typical criminal legal sanctions may include: Court oversight Confinement Criminal records According to the federal Office of Juvenile Justice, Delinquency and Prevention, 41% of juveniles were referred for diversion nationwide in 2018…. read more
Texas takes drinking on its public highways very seriously. On September 1, 2001, Texas passed its Open Container Law, which states: “A person commits an offense if the person knowingly possesses an open container in a passenger area of a motor vehicle that is located on a public highway, regardless of whether the vehicle is… read more