Year: 2018

use hypnosis challenged death row appeals texas

Hypnosis conjures up images of magicians and pendulums but it is used to secure convictions in Texas. Now two Dallas defendants who believe the technique landed them on Death Row are challenging the state’s use of hypnosis. The Dallas Morning News reported how Texas has one of the most well-used forensic hypnosis programs in the…

sexual harassment sexual assault

Over the past few months, there has been a renewed interest in sexual harassment and sexual assault laws due to the numerous allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. But these offenses are not the same, and it’s important to understand the distinctions between the two. Sexual assault in Texas is usually a felony that can…

black activist dallas jailed facebook posts

A secretive federal surveillance program led to the arrest of a black activist in Dallas who was jailed for five months over his Facebook posts, a new report claims. The ordeal faced by Rakem Balogun was detailed by The Guardian last week. The black activist described how he was picked up in an FBI operation…

studies find undocumented immigrants not causing crime surge

Texas is on the frontline of illegal immigration with its border of more than 1,200 miles with Mexico. The state has also seen the enactment of a controversial ‘sanctuary cities’ law that allows police officers to inquire about a suspect’s nationality. Despite an intense national debate about immigration and crime, four new academic studies suggest…

How Sexual Assault Awareness Impacts Dallas Sex Crimes

Dallas Sex Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyers News Update Sex crimes criminal defense can involve a number of different offenses, but in nearly every instance these cases will come down to consent says Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer Mick Mickelsen The responsibility of a defense lawyer is to cast doubt about whether the defendant had unwanted sexual…

What Are the Penalties for Abusing a Dog in Texas

Over the years, various celebrities have been caught up in high-profile cases involving animal cruelty. When these cases make the news, many people wonder what the law says about animal abuse—specifically, what constitutes animal abuse and what types of penalties are involved when a person is charged with abusing a dog. Perhaps most infamously, NFL…

Don’t leave your future and your freedom to chance by entrusting your case to just anyone. It is in your best interest to work with an experienced federal defense lawyer. Getting arrested on a drug-related charge can be a confusing experience. One of the first questions people tend to ask is whether their drug case…

Revenge Porn

Revenge porn has made headlines in recent years. It’s the practice of posting nude or semi-nude pictures of a former partner on the internet without his or her permission. Texas has criminalized the practice. However, a court has struck down the Texas revenge porn law for being too broad and in violation of the First…

Common Defenses to Criminal Charges

When you have been charged with a crime, one of the first questions you might ask is what types of defenses are available to you. This is where the advice and counsel of an experienced criminal defense lawyer is invaluable. Your attorney can help you explore your rights and options, including which defense or defenses…

5 infamous white collar crimes

When many people hear “white-collar crime,” they think of so-called “Club Fed” prisons, where prisoners serve lenient sentences and spend their time lounging around swimming pools and golf courses. The reality is much different. While many white collar offenders do serve minimal time in low security prisons, recent white collar cases have shown that prosecutors…