Posted on June 08,2023 in Criminal Defense

Money laundering and embezzlement are both forms of financial crimes, but their underlying principles and methods differ. While both can result in significant financial losses and criminal penalties, the distinction between the two is essential to understand, especially for someone who is facing charges of money laundering, embezzlement, or both. If this sounds like you, contact a criminal defense attorney to understand the charges against you and begin building your defense strategy.

Here is What to Know About Embezzlement

Embezzlement involves the illegal transfer of funds or property from an individual or organization by someone entrusted with that property or funds. Often, this happens when an employee has access to money and instead diverts the funds for personal use. In an embezzlement scheme, the person is taking funds belonging to someone else and using them for personal purposes. The action involved is essentially stealing, and the intent usually consists of some personal gain. Embezzlement does not generally involve any manipulation of the original transaction.

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 Posted on May 08,2023 in Criminal Defense

Representing yourself in a criminal case, also known as proceeding pro se, is generally an awful idea. While it may seem like a great way to save money, this sentiment is misguided. Representing yourself has a higher likelihood of conviction and more severe penalties than if a seasoned criminal defense attorney represented you. Today, we are going to review the risks associated with representing yourself in a criminal case.

Here is Why Representing Yourself is a Recklessly Bad Decision

The following are four reasons why representing yourself is a bad idea, including:

1. Lack of Legal Knowledge – Representing oneself in a criminal case ultimately means you are entering a realm in which you have no experience or knowledge. Real-life criminal law is not like what you see on television shows like Law & Order. Criminal law contains a plethora of principles that must be followed. Attempting to handle criminal legal proceedings without sufficient legal knowledge completely disrupts your chance of credibly advocating for yourself in criminal court. 

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 Posted on April 13,2023 in DWI

If you have been issued a traffic violation, you may wonder whether you need to hire an attorney. While it is possible to represent yourself in traffic court, there are several reasons why hiring an attorney may be in your best interest. For anyone who has been issued a traffic violation, there are various considerations you should take into account when weighing whether to hire a traffic violations attorney. 

Here is Why You Should Hire an Attorney

Here are some of the key reasons why you should consider hiring an attorney for a traffic violation, including:

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 Posted on March 03,2023 in Criminal Defense

False confessions are a significant problem in the criminal justice system. Despite the widespread belief that people only confess to crimes they have committed, research shows that false confessions occur more often than we might think. Today, we will discuss factors contributing to this troubling phenomenon. Please be advised that if you are ever charged with a criminal offense, it is in your best interest to contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to ensure you know your rights and understand the best way to handle the situation.

Four Reasons Why False Confessions Occur 

A false confession occurs when an innocent person admits to committing a crime they did not commit. False confessions can happen for various reasons, but research shows that some factors make people vulnerable to making false statements. Some of the reasons that can lead to a false confession include the following:

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 Posted on February 10,2023 in Criminal Defense

It is well known that in Texas, the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms is a right that is passionately believed in and defended by many Texans, which is why many individuals own firearms. However, many citizens remain unclear regarding whether a citizen can lawfully discharge a firearm to protect their property from an outside threat. In Texas, the right to use force to defend property is limited and governed by the “castle doctrine.” The castle doctrine is a legal concept that says a person has the right to use deadly force to protect their home or property from an intruder. This means that if someone is illegally on your property and you believe they are there to cause harm, you may use force to protect yourself and your family.

However, there are essential considerations to bear in mind before you open fire on someone who is on your property illegally. Today, we are going to take a look at what some of those considerations are. If you have been charged with a crime for using deadly force on someone on your property illegally, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can ensure your rights remain protected and respected as you move through the legal process.

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 Posted on January 23,2023 in Criminal Defense

Murder is, arguably, the most severe offense someone can be charged with within the entire United States. If convicted, offenders may spend the rest of their lives in prison or even be put to death. In addition, defendants in murder cases are often at somewhat of a disadvantage against the legal system, as those charged with murder are often considered guilty in the public opinion before they even stand trial. As a result, defending against a murder charge is no small task. 

If you have been charged with murder, understand the legal jeopardy you are currently in. To successfully beat murder charges, you must obtain masterful legal counsel to help create reasonable doubt in the jurors' minds. Without such legal representation, you may permanently lose your freedoms and possibly even your life. While defending against murder charges is not easy, it is not impossible either. This blog will address different defenses that, if applied appropriately, may be enough to acquit you, thereby giving you back your freedom. 

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 Posted on January 16,2023 in Juvenile Law

We have heard it said many times: never post anything online that you would not be comfortable with your mom or dad reading. Unfortunately, many people, particularly young adults and teenagers forget that once you post something online, it is there to stay. Even if you delete a post, there is still a high chance that whatever you wrote was seen by at least a few people. It is important to remember that online interactions with others can carry severe consequences, both in your personal life and legally. 

Juveniles who engage in forms of online harassment or cyberbullying may quickly find themselves facing charges for things they have said online to others. Therefore, it is vital that if you or your underage child has been charged with online harassment or cyberbullying, strongly consider contacting a criminal defense attorney who will work to ensure your rights remain protected and that an outcome in your or your child’s favor can be pursued diligently. 

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 Posted on January 10,2023 in Criminal Defense

It is without a doubt that feelings, beliefs, and policies towards marijuana are changing rapidly across the country. While many states are choosing to legalize the substance, the federal government still classifies it as a Schedule I drug and it remains, therefore, federally illegal. While it is true that many states are changing their tone regarding marijuana, one state that has yet to change its tone is Texas. In Texas, illegal drugs such as marijuana, are considered to be a controlled substance. As a result, in Texas, possessing marijuana is a crime, regardless of how small the amount. 

If you live in Texas and have been charged with a marijuana-related offense, please understand that Texas takes all marijuana-related offenses with the utmost seriousness. As a result, you would be wise to contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to help ensure your rights remain protected and a positive outcome can be achieved in your case. 

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 Posted on December 22,2022 in DWI

We have heard it since we were teenagers: One mistake can ruin your life. Indeed, being arrested, charged, or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor can leave you with a criminal record and have terrible consequences that can follow you for the rest of your life. However, depending on your offenses, you may be eligible for an expunction if you live in Texas and currently have a criminal record. Expunction is the permanent removal of a crime from your criminal record. In this blog, we will look at what expunction is and how to know if you are eligible.

If you are interested in learning whether your criminal record is eligible for expunction, contacting an experienced attorney who is familiar with expunction in Texas and has secured expunction for clients in the past can be an excellent first step towards erasing your criminal record once and for all.

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 Posted on December 14,2022 in Juvenile Law

Most parents’ worst nightmare is to hear their child has been arrested. Many parents work tirelessly to ensure their child is raised correctly and follows the law. Unfortunately, in life, few things ever go according to plan. When a child is arrested, they are typically tried as a juvenile. However, a child may be tried as an adult in certain situations. 

Being tried in adult court means the child will be held to the same legal standard as an adult. The child could face severe criminal penalties. Generally, if a child is being tried as an adult, they allegedly committed an act so heinous that a juvenile court no longer protects the child. If your child has been arrested and charged as an adult, understand that they are in extreme legal jeopardy. Contact an experienced juvenile defense attorney who will ensure that your child’s rights remain protected and that they are afforded the best legal counsel possible to pursue the most favorable outcome possible in your child’s favor. 

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