Posted on December 19, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Hiring escorts in Texas can be a legal gray area. While there is nothing inherently illegal about paying for simple companionship, crossing certain lines can lead to serious criminal charges. For example, offering payment for sexual activity is considered solicitation. If you are facing solicitation charges, you need to call a fearless, aggressive Texas prostitution defense attorney now.

What Is an Escort?

An escort is a person hired to provide companionship or accompany someone to social events or other engagements. Escorts often work through agencies or as independent contractors. While this arrangement is legal when limited to companionship, it becomes illegal if it involves sexual activity in exchange for money or other compensation.

Is Hiring an Escort Against Texas Law? 

Paying for an escort in Dallas is not inherently illegal. Many people hire Texas escorts simply to attend events, provide conversation, or spend time in a non-sexual context. However, offering or exchanging money for sexual services is strictly prohibited under Texas law. This offense falls under the umbrella of prostitution and solicitation.

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 Posted on December 05, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Nobody wants to get arrested, especially if you have had prior experiences with law enforcement that have been less than positive. At the very least, getting arrested can be scary and confusing. You are not simply a victim in an arrest, however. You have rights under the law and knowing your rights can help you stay calm and protect yourself.

If your rights are violated, the evidence against you might get thrown out, and your entire case could be affected. If you have not yet been arrested, prepare yourself by knowing your rights and how to use them. If you or someone you love has already been arrested, you have options. An aggressive, experienced Texas criminal defense lawyer can help if you face this situation.

What Are Your Rights During an Arrest?

The U.S. Constitution guarantees several key rights if you are arrested. Here are the most important ones:

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 Posted on November 28, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Anyone who claims they have never gotten angry while driving is not telling the truth. Driving can be an incredibly frustrating experience, and in Texas, where the population is rapidly increasing and the roads are quickly filling up, road rage is becoming more and more common.

While getting upset behind the wheel is understandable, if the anger develops beyond emotions and turns into action, road rage can become a crime. In Texas, a teenage boy was shot by an angry driver and although he was injured, he fortunately was not killed. Other drivers have not been so lucky. If you are facing charges for actions related to road rage, you could also be facing huge fines and serious jail time. An aggressive Texas criminal defense attorney can help.

Common Criminal Charges Linked to Road Rage

While Texas does not have a specific law targeting road rage, actions associated with road rage can lead to charges under other criminal statutes. Depending on the circumstances, these charges may include:

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 Posted on November 21, 2024 in Criminal Defense

A Texas court of appeals has ordered a new trial for a man on death row facing execution. Randy Halprin, who is Jewish, was convicted of belonging to a gang of prisoners who escaped prison and then shot and killed a police officer.

Halprin’s attorneys have successfully argued that the judge who presided over the case engaged in behavior both inside and outside of the courtroom that evidenced great hatred for and disgust with Jewish people. During Halprin’s trial, Halprin’s lawyers claimed that the judge made derogatory comments about Jews in general and Halprin in particular.

Cases like Halprin’s are a good reminder that judges, juries, and prosecutors are not only not perfect, but they sometimes harbor the kinds of biases that can derail the entire justice process. At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., our Texas criminal defense attorneys believe defendants deserve better.

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 Posted on November 14, 2024 in Criminal Defense

A woman in Texas is facing criminal charges after she allegedly tried to sell her unborn child on Facebook recently. Although the woman seemed to believe that she was not truly selling her child and was rather offering up the child for adoption, exchanging anything of value for a child is illegal in Texas.

While cases of parents trying to get money for their children are relatively unusual, child trafficking is a more common criminal charge, especially in Texas where many children are moved from the southern border through the state without their parents.

If you are facing charges for buying or selling a child, whether your own or someone else’s, or are even being investigated for this serious crime, you need the best Texas criminal defense attorney you can get.

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 Posted on November 07, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Both federal and local elections were held this week, and one outcome that is making headlines all over Texas is the legalization of small amounts of marijuana in three cities: Dallas, Lockhart, and Bastrop.

Does this mean that police are less likely to pursue marijuana charges outside of these cities? And if you live in Plano, could you just drive 30 minutes south to Dallas to buy weed legally? Our Texas criminal defense attorneys tell you what you need to know about the changes to the law.

Where is Weed Legal in Texas? 

Voters in Dallas, Lockhart, and Bastrop all approved measures decriminalizing the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana. Police in these cities now cannot arrest people or issue misdemeanor citations for possession, and cannot use the small amount of marijuana as probable cause, although there are some exceptions. If someone is being investigated or charged with a felony involving narcotics or violent crime, officers can still pursue marijuana-related charges.

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 Posted on October 31, 2024 in Criminal Defense

When one person in Texas causes harm to another unprovoked, that person has usually committed a crime. While any physical harm can lead to criminal charges, the law recognizes distinctions in severity. For instance, a slap to the face may be offensive and provoke anger, but it is far less severe than an injury causing permanent disability.

For this reason, assault charges — and the punishments that come with them — depend heavily on the nature and extent of the injuries inflicted. If you are facing charges of assault, battery, or any other physical attack, you need the help of the aggressive, experienced Texas criminal defense attorneys at The Crowder Law Firm, P.C.. We know your future depends on our work, and we take that seriously.

What is Serious Bodily Injury in Texas?

Every state defines "serious bodily injury" somewhat differently. In Texas, an injury qualifies as "serious bodily injury" when it creates a substantial risk of death, causes death, results in permanent disfigurement, or leads to the long-term loss or impairment of any body part or organ. The specific circumstances of each injury can also be open to interpretation by a jury in a criminal defense case, adding a subjective element to the classification.

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 Posted on October 24, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Many people are familiar with the term "breaking and entering," but may not know exactly what it means. It is often loosely used on television shows and in crime novels to describe property crimes, but without specifically providing a definition for the particular crime. In Texas, breaking and entering is not actually the technical term for the crime of wrongly entering someone’s property and stealing something; instead, Texas uses the terms "burglary" and "criminal trespass." However, in Texas, you may also hear people use the term "breaking and entering" and you can generally understand it to mean the same thing as burglary and criminal trespass. Our Plano, TX criminal defense attorneys know how to defend against serious crimes and will fight for your rights. Contact us right away if you have been accused burglary or criminal trespass.

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 Posted on October 10, 2024 in Criminal Defense

In Texas, gun laws are strict, and penalties can be severe, especially for convicted felons caught in possession of a firearm. Federal and state laws prohibit anyone convicted of a felony from owning or possessing a gun, and violations can result in serious prison time. If you are facing a firearm charge as a felon, it is important to understand the minimum sentences and how Texas law can impact your case. An experienced Plano, TX criminal defense attorney can provide guidance and fight for your rights.

Texas Law on Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Under Texas Penal Code Section 46.04, it is illegal for someone convicted of a felony to possess a firearm. This law applies to anyone convicted of a crime that carries a potential prison sentence of one year or more. According to Texas law, a felon may not possess a firearm at any time within five years of their release from confinement, parole, or probation. After that five-year period, a felon may only possess a firearm in their home, and not in public.

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 Posted on October 03, 2024 in Criminal Defense

If a juvenile steals a car in Texas, the potential consequences depend on several factors, like the value of the car, the circumstances of the theft, and whether the juvenile has a criminal history. Stealing a car is considered auto theft, a form of robbery, which can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. 

In Texas, juveniles involved in car theft might face charges of "unauthorized use of a motor vehicle" or "theft of property," and the severity of the charge can vary. Depending on the situation, the juvenile could be placed in a juvenile detention center, given probation, or even ordered to pay restitution to the car owner. If your child is facing car theft charges, contact a Plano, TX carjacking defense attorney for help right away. Your child’s future is at stake.

What Charges Can a Juvenile Face for Stealing a Car in Texas?

In Texas, a juvenile who steals a car may be charged with "unauthorized use of a motor vehicle" (UUMV) or "theft of property." UUMV is usually used when someone takes a car without the owner's permission but does not plan to keep it. This is generally a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to two years in a state jail, along with potential fines of up to $10,000. 

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