In 2016, thirty-eight Tarrant County law enforcement agencies arrested over 63,000 people. The Sixth Amendment guarantees all these individuals the right to counsel, and there are many different attorneys to chose from. Public defenders and court-appointed lawyers are available, ...
Month: December 2018
The Three Most Common Drug Arrest Scenarios
One of the most bizarre incidents in Presidential history probably launched the so-called war on drugs. In December 1970, Elvis Presley, who was clad in a purple velvet suit, unexpectedly dropped in on President Richard Nixon at the White House. After presenting the somewhat befu...
Five Prohibited LTC Places in Tarrant County
Texas has one of the most liberal License To Carry handgun laws in the United States. Even unlicensed individuals may carry their handguns in certain places. So, the list of prohibited places for licensed gun owners is even smaller. However, there is still a list. Some of the pr...
Breaking Down the IID Requirement in Parker County
Most people do not associate "blow-and-go" Ignition Interlock Devices and the Eighth Amendment. But this provision prohibits "cruel and unusual punishments." Arguably, the IID falls squarely under that label. Despite any concerns over the device, the IID is not going anywhere. M...
Immigration Issues in Tarrant County Criminal Cases
Deportation and immigration are among the most divisive issues of our time. There are strong feelings, and valid arguments, on each side. The government cannot give out visas like they were free samples at Sam's, and the government cannot close the border and exclude everyone. Th...
Should I Fight DWI License Suspension?
Texas is an implied consent state. When people receive their drivers' licenses, they consent to chemical tests, specifically BAC breath tests. So, many people think that license suspension is automatic if they fail or refuse one of these tests. That's not exactly true. Defendant...
The Whys and Hows of Pretrial Release in Tarrant County
During jury trials, incarcerated defendants almost never appear in jail clothes or shackles. Even though judges tell jurors that pretrial detention means nothing in terms of guilt or innocence, there is a very real presumption of guilt if the defendant is in jail. Pretrial relea...
A (Very Early) Look at the Case Against Cesar Sayoc
Prosecutors asked a Manhattan judge to hold Cesar Sayoc without bond until he can answer charges of mailing sixteen explosive devices to outspoken Trump critics. According to court documents, Mr. Sayoc has an extensive criminal history. He frequently attended far-right political...
Telenovela Actress Caught Shoplifting at Texas Store
52-year-old Danielle Arellano (a/k/a Daniela Castro) spent some time in the Bexar County Jail after she allegedly stole merchandise from a San Antonio outlet store. Court documents state that Ms. Arellano was shopping at a Saks Off Fifth in the Alamo City. As she strolled throug...
