Criminal Defense

Finding out that a loved one has been arrested on a Texas Blue Warrant is a nightmare scenario. One minute they are home, working toward a fresh start; the next, they are behind bars in a county jail with no bond, and you are left wondering if they are headed straight back to prison. At…

If you or a loved one has been arrested on a Blue Warrant, the word “hearing” can be intimidating. Most people picture a formal trial with a jury and a judge in a black robe. However, a Texas parole revocation hearing is an administrative proceeding, usually held within the walls of a county jail or…

When a loved one is on parole in Texas, the rules can feel like a minefield. Many families believe that as long as their loved one isn’t “getting into new trouble” (committing a new crime), they are safe. Unfortunately, this is one of the most dangerous myths in the Texas criminal justice system. At Guest…

Although federal criminal prosecutions occur less frequently that state criminal cases, a federal conviction can lead to harsher penalties for the same conduct, compared to the sentences imposed by state criminal courts. Sentencing in federal criminal cases occurs under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide federal district judges with recommended sentencing ranges and factors they…

The United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) serves a critical function: establishing and maintaining the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. These guidelines dictate the range of sentences federal courts may impose. Each year, the Commission sets an agenda to review and revise these rules, and the priorities for the upcoming 2025-2026 amendment cycle signal major areas of focus…

In recent months, the headlines have been filled with news of presidential clemency, as a wave of pardons and commutations has been issued to a diverse group of individuals. From former politicians and high-profile figures to those involved in past legal battles, these acts of mercy from the White House have sparked widespread discussion and…

In the federal criminal justice system, the moment a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty, the clock starts ticking on one of the most critical phases: the Presentence Investigation (PSI). The resulting document, the Presentence Investigation Report (PSR), is the single most important document for determining a defendant’s sentence, and it has an impact…

The Sixth Circuit recently ruled in a case involving how to apply the sentencing guidelines for sadism in child pornography cases in the Vowels-Harper case.  About the Vowels-Harper case: Sadism in Child Pornography Sentencing  Vowels-Harper was charged with and convicted of several child pornography crimes.   The  alleged crimes include receiving photos and videos of…

When you decide to hire private counsel to defend you in a criminal prosecution, you may consider various factors during your evaluation of prospective attorneys. However, cost may become one of the considerations you have when hiring a criminal defense attorney in Texas. How much does it cost to retain a criminal defense lawyer to…