Prosecutions involving computer crimes have increased dramatically over the last decade or so. The reason is obvious, there are many more computers today than ever before. But a problem with many of these prosecutions is that when federal laws were written to prevent crimes using computers, the technology involving computers was simple compared to today’s […]
Texas Appeals Court Clarifies Probable Cause Standard
The Fourth Amendment One of the great rights we enjoy thanks to the U.S. Constitution is the right to remain free from unreasonable searches and seizures, by the police. This right comes to us from the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, and puts stiff requirements on the police and other state actors before they meddle […]
Controversial Harris County Rape Case
Recently, a Harris County rape victim was held in jail for nearly a month because lawyers feared that the victim would not speak against her attack unless she was forced to by a court. While the woman’s attacker was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison, the woman’s time in court result in substantial […]
Supreme Court Ruling Gives Prosecutors More Leverage
Some might say that the last thing federal prosecutors need in their large toolbox of potential charges was more leverage in prosecuting federal cases. But following a recent Supreme Court ruling on the scope and applicability of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), that is just what has happened.
Sharing Password Ends With Jail Time
Prosecutions involving computer crimes have increased dramatically over the last decade or so. The reason is obvious, there are many more computers today than ever before. But a problem with many of these prosecutions is that when federal laws were written to prevent crimes using computers, the technology involving computers was simple compared to today’s […]
Understanding Standards of Proof in Criminal Cases
The legal universe people most commonly come into contact with are divided into two different worlds: criminal and civil. While both worlds exist within the justice system, there are many differences in how criminal and civil law are applied, though those differences are mostly known by lawyers and not lay people.
Criminal Act & Criminal Mind
Two Parts to Every Crime For those who follow the news closely, and particularly when it comes to politics, the last few days have been turbulent to say the least. The headlines have been filled with stories about the final decision by the FBI on not to indict a former Secretary of State over mishandling […]
Public Corruption & Related Laws
Corruption Charges Face Big Changes This has been a big year for public corruption and related laws. Two governors of large states saw charges against them reversed, and the laws used to indict them severely curtailed. This trend began with the former Texas Governor who was charged with coercion and abuse of power under Texas […]
UCMJ Article 134
UCMJ Article 134 – The Most Punitive of the Punitive Articles? src: US Army – https://www.army.mil/ Those who serve or have served in the military know full well that there is separate system of justice that applies to them. Every service member from the lowest ranking joe to the highest flying general can tell […]
Major DWI Decision
Know Your Rights: Major DWI Opinion Issued By Supreme Court Significant changes are afoot in the most frequently contested area of criminal law: DWI/DUI. To Blow or Not To Blow, That Is One of the Questions My wife and I are fond of our front porch. Occasionally after putting our daughter to bed, we’ll settle […]
Non-Judicial Punishment (NJP) – Does It Go on My Record?
Will NJP Show Up On A Background Check? NJP can show up on a background check, despite your lawyer telling you it wouldn’t.