Unfortunately, a Texas court may sometimes make an error in judgment when ruling on a case. In the U.S. justice system, those who have experienced an error during their trial can file for an appeal. However, they must have some basic grounds in order to file for a...
How long can you be held for questioning?
Being questioned by police in Texas is one of the most stressful situations anyone can find themselves facing. Police officers commonly do not question anyone who is not suspected of criminal activity, and their powers regarding reasonable suspicion range widely. As...
Are eyewitness testimonies accurate and reliable?
During a criminal trial in Texas, eyewitness testimony is one of the many forms of evidence used in the legal system. It's important to know that eyewitness testimonies aren't always reliable, especially with line-ups that are performed. Studies show that the human...
What causes a wrongful conviction?
The state of Texas might have convicted someone, but that doesn't mean that they're guilty. In fact, research has shown that thousands of people in the United States might have been wrongfully convicted. It's challenging--but not impossible--for wrongfully convicted...
Determinative sentencing in Texas juvenile cases
Juveniles who are not tried as an adult in court will face placement in a Texas juvenile facility. In this type of facility, the child is under the custody and care of the state of Texas. The facility can range from low security to high security; which type of...
Do you qualify for an appeal to a criminal conviction?
Criminal convictions can have long-lasting impacts on your legal and social life long after you've served your time or paid your fines. If you have legitimate grounds for appeal to a past conviction, there is no reason to let these blemishes remain on your record and...
Michigan governor signs bills to reform jail for kids
Residents of Texas will want to know about a recent bill signed into law by the governor of Michigan. It centered around creating a clean slate for juvenile offenders. Jail alternatives are also presented in the Good Moral Character and Clean Slate for Kids packages...
Is location tracking constitutional?
The age of technology has assuredly found its way to the U.S. court system. Texas residents may believe that privacy is vital in American life and that it is easy to invade individual privacy when technology is at its present intrusive state. Court judges are also...
Appealing a criminal conviction
Individuals in Texas and around the country who are convicted of committing a crime cannot file an appeal just because they claim the jury made a mistake. For an appeal to be heard, a defendant must convince the appellate court that an error of some sort was made...
Texas man indicted for drug possession and money laudering
A man has been indicted on drug possession and money laundering charges more than a year after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper allegedly discovered cash and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop. The 38-year-old Odessa resident is...
