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 …
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What is a Grand Jury and How Long is Grand Jury Duty in Texas?
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 …
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What Happens If You Write a Bad Check in Texas?
The risk of bad checks seems outdated in the age of Venmo, Paypal, Zelle, and various other ways to send secure payments.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 …
Can An Attorney Issue a Subpoena in Texas?
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, …
Are Ghost Guns Legal in Texas?
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 …
Hit-and-Run Laws in Texas: A Lawyer Explains
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 Jury: What Is It And What’s The Purpose?
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 …
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Is Adultery a Crime in Texas?
Adultery is not a crime in Texas. It will not result in criminal charges or penalties, unless you’re in the military (which does classify it as a crime). And though you may feel angry and hurt if you find out your spouse has been unfaithful, you’re the one who will likely end up facing criminal …
What is Capital Murder in Texas?
Capital murder is the only remaining death penalty offense in Texas. A capital murder has all of the elements of an intentional murder but with additional factors that are considered so egregious that the act has a separate classification. For example, the murder of a peace officer or murder of someone under the age of …
Is It Illegal to Drink in Public?
In Texas and many other states, public drinking is typically illegal. However, in the United States, there are a few notable exceptions, including tourist destinations such as Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Savannah, where laws have been enacted to legalize it. Drinking while in your vehicle in those places, however, may not be legal. In …