Category Archives: Arrest and Indictment
When Sexting is a Crime in Texas
Last Friday, former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner pled guilty in a federal court to the felony charge of transferring obscene material to a minor as part of a plea deal. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 8, 2017. It’s understood that as part of the plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney General’s Office,…
New 2017 Federal Drug Policy from Attorney General Jeff Sessions
Last week, the Attorney General of the United States sent a memo to all the Offices of the U.S. Attorney General around the country, including the one overseeing the Northern District of Texas that prosecutes federal crimes here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It’s a big deal for anyone facing criminal charges here in Texas,…
Forensic Evidence Is Not Trustworthy but Prosecutors Love It: The News This Week
This week heralds the end of the National Commission on Forensic Science, a group of experts entrusted with evaluating forensic science methods that are being brought into courtrooms by prosecutors all over the country. It’s not good news. Their job is important because so much of the current stuff labelled “scientific evidence” in criminal investigations…
Gang Crime Charges: Increasing Prosecution of Gang-Related Crimes in Texas
This week, President Trump publicly blamed former President Obama for allowing known Central American gang MS-13 to gain a foothold in the United States. See, “Trump blames Obama for formation of MS-13 crime gang,” published by the Business Insider on April 17, 2017. Two months ago, the President signed a series of three executive orders…
Federal Forfeiture Reform: 81% Property Seized By DOJ from People Never Charged With a Crime
Last week, the Office of the Inspector General in the Department of Justice published its report on federal civil forfeiture, entitled “Review of the Department’s Oversight of Cash Seizure and Forfeiture Activities.” The full report is available online and has been stored in the Michael Lowe Digital Library for your convenience. Read it here. …
Intellectually Disabled or Mentally Ill: Competency to Stand Trial and the Insanity Defense
This week, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued its opinion in Moore v. Texas (read it here). This case is not only a victory for Texas Death Row inmate Bobby Moore; it’s also a major event in Texas criminal law. Why? SCOTUS has ruled that the Texas legal procedure for determining if…
Texas Needs New Asset Forfeiture Law Reform: Spread the Word
Asset forfeiture: yes, we’re back on the stump about it again. First, let’s talk about the status of the pending asset forfeiture reform legislation as of the end of February 2017. We wrote about this proposed legislation right around Christmas; see the details in “Will Texas End Civil Forfeiture in 2017?” 1. Texas Senate On…
John Wiley Price Trial: a Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s 10 Things to Know
Back in July 2014, Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price was arrested by federal authorities on corruption charges. It was a real shock. The entire city reeled from the news of District 3’s “Our Man Downtown” being indicted. For details, read our July 2014 post “The John Wiley Price Case: a Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s…
Juvenile Arrests in Texas: When Kids Are Charged With Adult Crimes
Here in Texas, there’s lots of talk about what is the right age for prosecution as an adult and not as a juvenile. Is Texas wrong to prosecute seventeen year olds as adults? Big hint here: the United States Supreme Court has ruled that in the United States of America, you become a legal adult…
