When one commits a crime that is premeditated, they often have an escape route planned to avoid being caught for their actions. This is especially true when the crime is at the felony level. The moments after the crime has been committed are critical to the criminal charges that are bound to follow. Did they freely give themselves up to law enforcement? Did they attempt to run from the officers? Or did they disappear completely? For those who try to blend into the woodwork to avoid facing penalties for their actions, a single mistake, such as driving over the speed limit, can be enough for a Texas law enforcement officer to pull the person over and notice that something is off.

Lubbock Bar Fight Gone Wrong

It is no secret that alcohol tends to heighten people’s emotions and reactions to what is going on around them. Recently, an argument at a sports bar in Lubbock, Texas escalated from the heated exchange of words to a shooting outside of the bar’s doors. Several men were sitting inside the bar were asked to leave after an argument between the men was beginning to get out of hand. Things only escalated as the men left the bar, so much so that one 28-year-old man in the group was shot and killed in the bar parking lot. The incident is under investigation to find the man responsible for the man's death, though some believe that the shooter has already been caught.

During the time spent investigating outside of the local bar, another man was arrested and charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon by a licensed holder. He was pulled over for the failure to use a turn signal, and during their conversation, the officer noticed that He seemed nervous, rolling up his windows to keep the law enforcement officer from seeing inside his vehicle. The officer then requested the man step outside of his vehicle and noticed that he was using his feet to attempt to conceal a weapon on the floorboard of his car. The man was arrested and charged with a class A misdemeanor for his actions. Many social media users are wondering if he is connected to the bar killing based on his proximity to the location and his attempt to conceal a weapon. At this time, police have not identified anyone for the murder charge, though many suspect that he may be a person of interest.

When one is convicted of a crime, the illegal activity that they have been deemed guilty of committing falls within a set of categories based on severity, also known as a classification. Not all crimes are one and the same, for instance, stealing a few items off a store shelf and killing another individual are held on completely different playing fields. For obvious reasons, petty theft and murder are granted much different penalties which are determined by the classification of the crime. So how do you know which classification your crime falls under and what are the penalties?

Classification of Misdemeanors

There are three classifications of misdemeanors, which include common offenses such as a traffic violation and span all the way to assault. The following are the three misdemeanor classifications, with Class A as the most serious and Class C as the least.

• Class A Misdemeanor: Those found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor will receive a fine of up to $4,000 and/or confinement in jail for up to one year.
• Class B Misdemeanor: Those found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor will receive a fine of up to $2,000 and/or confinement in jail for up to 180 days.
• Class C Misdemeanor: This classification is reserved for the least serious crimes, such as speeding tickets, and is typically the default classification. In other words, if you commit a minor crime that is deemed a misdemeanor without being given a specific punishment or category, the crime is considered a Class C misdemeanor, which results in a fine of up to $500.

Classification of Felonies

Once a crime exceeds a certain level of severity, such as physically injuring someone, taking the life of a person, or committing property damage of a high value, the classification escalates to a felony. There are five felony classifications, all of which result in time in prison. The following are the five felony classifications, with a capital felony being the most severe:

When it comes to the criminal justice system, once you are in it, you quickly begin to feel trapped. Once a criminal charge is added to your record, a certain stigma begins to follow you around. Criminal charges are public records, meaning anyone and everyone can look up your background. For many academic institutions and professional businesses, conducting a background check is simply part of the protocol and any evidence of criminal activity can immediately eliminate you from the pool of applicants. While this may seem fair for those with a past riddled with violent crimes, what about first-time offenders or those with substance abuse issues?

What Is Pretrial Diversion?

Pretrial diversion programs are voluntary alternatives to traditional criminal justice processing, such as large fines and spending time behind bars. As the criminal justice system has evolved, professionals have noticed that offenders have a tendency to re-offend once they are looped into the criminal justice system. This is known as recidivism. The stigma that comes along with a criminal background can keep offenders from securing a stable job and income, often leading them back to what they know best: a life of crime.

There is no worse feeling than seeing blue and red flashing lights in your rearview mirror. You pull over, get out your driver’s license and insurance cards, and anxiously await for the police officer to come to your window. Typically, drivers know what they are being pulled over for, but in some cases, you may be uncertain. Do you remember speeding? Did you properly use your turn signal? Did you blow a stop sign? If you do not remember disregarding the laws of the road, there is a chance that you did not actually do what the officer is accusing you of. Policemen understandably make mistakes, just like anyone else, which is why you have the opportunity to challenge traffic violation tickets.

Common Traffic Offenses

There are a number of traffic violations that are common on Texas roadways, some that seem fairly innocent while others blatantly place the driver and others on the road in danger. The following are the most common traffic offenses in Texas:

As a state bordering Mexico, cities in Texas can become havens for crime. Not only can Mexican criminals make it over the border and continue committing offenses in the United States, but Texas criminals can also escape into Mexico to avoid facing criminal penalties for their actions. The border has held a dangerous reputation for years and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently released a five-year plan to increase security along the border to keep all Texans safe. Gov. Abbott noted human trafficking and drug cartels as his two primary targets in the Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

Primary Security Goals

The Texas governor released a 93-page report at the end of January that outlines 25 objectives and 123 priority actions that he would like to see accomplished in the next five years. In regards to the state’s overall security, the following four goals stand out: