Houston Criminal Defense Blog

Perhaps you made a mistake when you were younger and now you have a criminal record following you, rearing its head every time you apply for a job or an apartment, or even volunteer. This can even happen without a conviction. You keep waiting for it to go away, but it doesn't. That's because you must request the court clear your record.

Texas has two methods for doing this: expunction (also called expungement) and a petition for non-disclosure. 

There is a persistent myth surrounding domestic violence. The media has — falsely — claimed for many years that domestic violence peaks around the holidays. This is not supported by evidence and actually does further harm to the victims, as domestic violence occurs year round.

Which is not to say that incidents of domestic violence don't ebb and flow in relationships. They do, based on myriad factors unique to the relationships.

When it comes to physical altercations, there is a lot of confusion among citizens in Texas regarding what criminal charges and penalties apply. Each situation is unique. However, the Texas Penal Code has clear rules regarding which charges individuals may face after a fight or similar situation.

Assault is the most common charge to result from a physical altercation. Of course, assault is a relatively broad term, which often includes verbal threats and physically threatening or intimidating behavior. The courts may consider any kind of unwanted physical contact assault.

A drug possession charge is a big deal, as a conviction is sure to alter your life both now and in the future. Depending on the severity of your crime, a conviction could result in a large fine, community service and/or prison time.

While there is no surefire way of knowing what will happen when your day in court arrives, it's important to note that there are several drug possession defense strategies you can employ. It's important to understand your options, including which one gives you the best chance of preventing a conviction.

• Unlawful search and seizure: The Fourth Amendment protects you against unlawful search and seizure, so this is something to think about should you come under arrest for any type of drug possession crime.
• The drugs aren't mine: It may be one of the more difficult strategies to employ, but it's possible you can prove that the drugs were not yours. Doing so will remove you from the line of fire, thus allowing you to avoid a conviction.
• Entrapment: You understand that police are permitted by law to set up sting operations with the idea of catching people who are breaking the law. However, law enforcement officials are not permitted to induce a suspect to commit a crime. Known as entrapment, you can use this defense strategy to prove your innocence.
• Planted drugs: It's not the easiest thing to prove, but with the right approach, you may be able to show the court that drugs were planted with the idea of making an arrest. In many cases, it will take one officer blowing the whistle on another for you to have the evidence you require to proceed with this strategy.