How to Help a Loved One That Is Arrested on Christmas

December 20, 2017

With the winter holidays approaching, consider what to do if your loved one gets arrested on Christmas. Perhaps it’s already happened before. You’re sound asleep and the phone rings at 2:00 a.m. You immediately imagine that a friend or family has passed away or is involved in serious car accident. When you pick up the […]

The Burden of Proof

December 7, 2017

We often hear about the burden of proof in the media. If you’ve ever wondered, “What’s the burden of proof?” this post explains what you should know about this deep legal concept. The plaintiff and defendant are responsible to prove claims made in a trial. In general, the individual who raises a legal claim has the responsibility […]

Murder vs. Manslaughter: How Are They Different?

November 29, 2017

Many people ask, “How are murder and manslaughter different?” Both the crimes of murder and manslaughter involve a person’s death at the hands of another. The important difference between murder and manslaughter lies in the intent, or mens rea, of the offender: The crime of murder is charged when an individual takes another person’s life […]

What is Probable Cause?

November 21, 2017

Many people ask, “What is probable cause?” Probable cause in Texas is a legal term that, in its simplest form, means that a certain circumstance occurred more probably than not. For instance, to arrest an individual, law enforcement must believe that it’s probable that he or she committed a crime. Probable cause is the standard […]