Executive Summary: Texas sexual assault investigations often begin during informal conversations and early police contact before charges are filed. Common mistakes include speaking casually with detectives, agreeing to law enforcement polygraphs, participating in secretly recorded one-party consent calls, and discussing the allegations through text or social media. Early legal guidance may help protect constitutional Read More

Executive Summary: Social media is frequently used as evidence in Texas criminal cases involving murder, family violence, sexual assault, and drug crimes. Investigators may review posts, messages, photos, videos, and deleted content to build timelines, challenge credibility, or support criminal allegations. Private accounts and deleted posts are not always protected from investigation. Public online responses after Read More

Executive Summary: Texas family violence cases often continue even when the alleged victim later says they do not want prosecution. Prosecutors, not alleged victims, typically decide whether to move forward with charges. Early legal intervention may help address weaknesses in the allegations, provide important context, and prevent the case from simply continuing through the system by default. Family violence Read More

Executive Summary: Texas drug cases often involve more than simple possession allegations. Prosecutors may pursue delivery charges based on factors such as the quantity of drugs, packaging materials, scales, cash, or text messages. People arrested for drug offenses may benefit from proactively seeking treatment and documenting their progress early, especially because felony drug cases often take months or years to Read More

Executive Summary: In Texas homicide cases, intent is often what separates murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. Murder generally involves intentional or knowing conduct, while manslaughter involves reckless conduct, and criminally negligent homicide involves criminal negligence. Texas law does not require premeditation to prove murder. The accused person’s mental state at the time of the incident Read More

Executive Summary: Many people mistakenly believe police must read Miranda rights before every arrest in Texas. In reality, Miranda warnings apply primarily to custodial interrogation, not the arrest itself. If police question someone while in custody without proper warnings, certain statements may potentially be challenged in court. However, failure to give Miranda warnings does not automatically invalidate an Read More