Law Office of Brett A. Podolsky - Criminal Defense Attorney
For the majority of U.S. cities, the overall crime rate is steadily decreasing. What’s surprising, though, is that hate crimes are on the rise. The great state of Texas isn’t immune to this national trend. According to experts, hate crimes in Texas doubled between 2017 and 2018. Hate crimes are considered serious offenses, so if […]
Assaulting another person is a serious offense in the eyes of the law. Assaulting a pregnant woman used to be treated in the same way as assaulting any other person, but things are changing in Texas. New laws are being put into place to ensure that the unborn child, who is also impacted by the […]
You may have questions about using self-defense as a legal defense against an assault charge. Many Texas residents have rational fears about being arrested if self-defense is used in an assault. Self-defense may be a valid defense in a range of situations. It is a common defense used by defendants charged with assault and battery. […]
The consequences of domestic violence in Texas are frequently severe. According to Stop Abusive Violence Environments (SAVE), one in 10 people is falsely accused of sexual assault, domestic violence, or child abuse. Thousands of men and women are accused of domestic violence crimes each year. Texas Penal Code § 22.01 and § 22.02 describe the […]
Under the Texas Penal Code, and at the discretion of the local District Attorney, any crime can be “elevated” to a higher degree of potential punishment by being declared “aggravated.” As an example, if two patrons at a nightclub have a disagreement that escalates into a fight, both patrons could be charged with assault. If, […]