This post discusses H.B. 2908, an expansion of hate crime protections to benefit law enforcement professionals. Governor Gregg Abbott originally backed the expansion after five police officers were attacked and killed in Dallas in July 2016. H.B. 2908 goes into effect on September 1, 2017. Similarly, the Thin Blue Line Act, a federal bill, was […]
Stalking is a big problem that affects the lives of many Texans. Almost everyone has experienced extreme annoyance with another person’s persistence or actions. For instance, a former girlfriend or boyfriend may make repeated hang-up calls or a co-worker might ask incessant or overly personal questions. These behaviors are irksome but not usually illegal. However, […]
Under Texas law, criminal mischief is a crime in which vandalism or damage to someone else’s property occurs. Often, what’s considered criminal mischief is thought to be “unfair.” It’s possible to find yourself in serious legal trouble if you destroy another person’s property or vehicle in anger, even if you’re related to him or her. A […]
An accusation of animal abuse in Texas is a serious charge. If you’ve been accused of abusing livestock or a pet animal, you need help from a criminal defense lawyer in Houston. The laws protecting animals in Texas are complex and challenging to understand. In some cases, a conviction of an animal abuse crime can […]
The differences between state and federal crimes may be complicated. Because laws overlap in the criminal sphere, criminal courts sometimes argue about in what venue a crime should be prosecuted. If a crime occurs in one state, it’s typically considered a state crime if it expressly breaks a federal law. If a crime is committed […]
