Author: Broden & Mickelsen, LLP
The right to vote is an important part of being an American citizen. Is it possible for a convicted felon to regain their voting rights in the state of Texas? As citizens of the United States, we have individual rights that we often take for granted – until they are taken away or jeopardized in…
Many forensic science methods used for years to convict people of serious crimes have unraveled under closer scrutiny. Bite mark evidence was used to secure scores of convictions before it was debunked as junk science in 2016. In December, the state’s highest criminal court declared a Texas man innocent of two murders he served more…
White collar crimes carry high sentences. In Travis County, a former director of the University of Texas faces up 99 years in prison after he was indicted on counts of theft, money laundering, and abusing his official capacity. Jason Shoumaker worked for the University of Texas in Austin for 10 years. He managed facilities for…
Texas once again executed more people than any other state in 2018 when the number of prisoners put to death rose. However, the state’s Death Row population is falling. Two groups that oppose the death penalty reported Texas again tops the capital punishment table. With no further executions scheduled for 2018, tallies from both the…
Civil asset forfeiture occurs when police seize assets from people who are suspected of involvement in criminality. Nowhere is it more controversial than in Texas where people have lost millions of dollars in valuable assets without being charged with a crime. Recently, the Texas Tribune reported on how police in Texas made $50 million by…
Texas has a reputation for being a tough state for law and order with heavy sentences handed down to offenders. However, the Lone Star State’s initiatives to find alternatives to prison are helping drive forward a national reform bill. When the White House recently backed a bipartisan effort to cut the federal prison population and…
Dogs have a much more highly developed sense of smell than humans, so it makes sense that police use them as working animals for a variety of purposes. Canine units can search for missing persons, detect explosive devices, and sniff for the presence of illegal substances. On the other hand, the Fourth Amendment gives citizens…
It’s probably fair to say that most people get their information about the criminal justice system from television and movies. While much of it is accurate, the process usually looks a lot different in reality. When you’re charged with a crime, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and afraid. What will happen to you? What rights…
Texas is still clearing more people than the rest of the country after miscarriages of justice, but the state’s exoneration rate is falling. For years, issues with a backlog of drug cases in Harris County meant Texas led the nation in exonerations. In 2017, the Lone Star State recorded 23 exonerations, reported the Texas Tribune….
Negative interactions with police officers in Texas have made headlines in recent years. Tragedies such as the death of Sandra Bland led to the Community Safety Act. The legislation aims to teach high school students how to deal with traffic stops by police. The Texas Education Agency recently sent school districts educational material to instruct…