Many Texans are still unaware that vehicle safety inspections are no longer mandatory in the Lone Star State. A new state law abolished the state’s Vehicle Safety Inspection Program for non-commercial vehicles. It went into effect on Jan. 1. However, residents of 17 counties are still required to pass – and pay for – an …
Texas’ New Car Inspection Law: What You Need to Know for 2025 Read More »
ISF stands for Intermediate Sanction Facility. It is an in-custody substance abuse treatment option for “low-risk” offenders. It can potentially keep probation and parole violators out of prison. However, whether or not these are a better option for drug and alcohol offenders depends on whom you ask. Though experts agree that there are definite benefits …
No matter what you call them, no Texas law prohibits people from wearing headphones, earbuds, or AirPods while driving. However, as with most Texas laws, there are grey areas. Headphone usage is technically legal unless law enforcement officers determine you use them as a “hands-free wireless communication device.” This means you shouldn’t get in trouble …
Is it Illegal to Wear Headphones, Earbuds, or Airpods While Driving? Read More »
Disorderly conduct typically means that your actions disrupt others. It can be as simple as swearing or making an offensive gesture, generating a disruptive amount of noise, or discharging a firearm in public. The key is that the act must be knowingly or intentionally committed. However, the other standards for criminal charges are ambiguous, leaving …
It’s bad enough when the dreaded jury duty summons arrives by mail. But what does it mean if that summons says you have to appear for grand jury duty? It means you’ll likely have to serve for multiple weeks and consider several cases. Grand jury duty is not the same as traditional jury duty. The …
What is a Grand Jury and How Long is Grand Jury Duty in Texas? Read More »
The risk of bad checks seems outdated in the age of Venmo, Paypal, Zelle, and various other ways to send secure payments. But plenty of Americans still write checks that can’t be cashed, and this can often lead to criminal charges. Statistics show that 54% of Americans wrote a check in the past year, with …
Subpoenas are court orders that require you to participate in a trial in some capacity – either by testifying on the record or by providing specific documents or other relevant physical evidence. Any attorney admitted to practice law in Texas can issue a subpoena. Subpoenas can typically be issued by a judge, a court clerk, …
Ghost guns are controversial, but they’re legal in Texas. Anyone who can legally own a firearm can also own a ghost gun. Ghost guns have been in the spotlight recently after the high-profile shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The firearm found on the suspect, Luigi Mangione, is believed to be a 3D-printed ghost …
If you fail to stop and provide reasonable assistance and contact information after a traffic accident, the incident is commonly called a hit and run. You must stop if you’re involved in a collision while driving in Texas. This is established by Texas Transportation Code Chapter 550. Hit-and-run laws in Texas don’t require evidence that …
Sequestered jurors are isolated from the public and outside influences during a trial and/or during deliberations. You’ll be required to stay in a hotel, your meals will be provided, and you will have limited access to your family through means facilitated by the court deputy who has you in their charge. You do not have …
Sequestered Jury: What Is It And What’s The Purpose? Read More »
