If you’ve ever watched a legal drama on television, you’ve heard someone shout “Objection, Your Honor! Hearsay!” at a critical dramatic moment. In simple terms, that usually means a witness cites information they’ve heard from someone else. An objection is a protest raised by an attorney during a legal proceeding. It alerts the judge that …
Objection Hearsay Meaning + More Common Courtroom Objections Read More »
Nunc pro tunc orders allow the courts to fix clerical errors and reduce delays in the judicial process. They issue a decision that applies retroactively as if the decision had been made at an earlier date. Nunc pro tunc is a Latin term that means “now for then.” The orders are procedural tools that correct …
What is Nunc Pro Tunc? How to Fix a Clerical Mistake in a Court Order Read More »
The penalties for a second DWI are more severe than a first offense – and technically require a minimum of 30 days in jail – but it’s still unlikely that you’ll serve any jail time beyond the mandatory minimum of three days required for probation. However, it’s even more vital that you have an experienced …
2nd DWI in Texas? Laws, Penalties, and How to Fight It Read More »
Most first DWIs are Class B misdemeanors, which carry a maximum of 180 days in jail, a $2,000 fine, and a mandatory minimum of three days in county jail (which can be suspended or probated). However, statistics show that most first offenders won’t spend more than a few hours in jail. It’s important to remember …
The age of consent in Texas – the age at which you can legally consent to sexual activity – is 17. This means that individuals who are age 17 or older can legally engage in consensual sex with peers who are at least 17. However, some exceptions protect teens who are within three years of …
Texas’ “Romeo and Juliet” law helps teens who have not yet reached the state’s age of consent (which is 17) avoid facing a potential statutory rape conviction for having consensual sex with a peer. For the “Romeo and Juliet” law to apply, the age gap must be no greater than three years. The law comes …
Most – but not all – forms of pornography are legal in Texas. However, there are laws in place to protect vulnerable people from unknowingly or indirectly becoming the subject of pornographic images. There are also rules in place to protect minors from exposure to harmful or obscene content. In some instances, even sharing images …
Every 39 minutes, an American dies in a DWI or DUI-related accident – that’s 37 people per day. About a million arrests are made each year for driving while intoxicated. Despite the risks, millions of people in the United States each year choose to drive after drinking. It’s also essential to understand the role of …
Survey: 37% of Americans Have Driven While Suspecting They Were Intoxicated Read More »
A mistrial is basically a do-over. It ends a legal proceeding before a resolution has been reached. If your case goes to trial and the jury is unable to reach a unanimous verdict, a judge finds evidence of misconduct, or even if a juror dies during the proceedings, a mistrial will be declared and the …
What is a Mistrial in Texas — and What Happens Next? Read More »
Family violence is one of the most common charges we see, and in recent years, Texas courts have issued approximately 30,000 to 40,000 protective orders per year. A protective order is issued by a court to protect someone from harassment, abuse, stalking, or threats by another person. They are typically issued in family violence cases, …