White-collar crimes, a term first coined in 1939, refer to finance-driven, non-violent offenses committed by business and government professionals. Unlike blue-collar crimes, which often involve physical injury or theft, white-collar crimes are all about deceit,...
Criminal Law
What are the differences in jury and bench trials?
The National Conference of State Legislatures reported about one in three adults in the U.S. have a criminal record as of 2022. Many of these cases went to trial. There are two methods of conducting trials. An individual can choose between a jury trial and a bench...
USPS says hundreds arrested for mail theft, carrier robbery
Postal crime may not sound like much, but it’s a growing problem in America. In recognition of the rising threat, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) recently announced that police across the country have made over 600 arrests related to mail theft and postal carrier...
Is introducing ransomware into a computer network a felony?
As computers have grown in processing power and functionality over time, so has malware. Malware attacks have become so sophisticated that hackers now employ ransomware. This type of malware can lock victims’ computers behind encryption and copy any sensitive...
Rehab isn’t a criminal act
Checking into a Texas drug rehabilitation facility may be an effective way to gain control over your addiction. For the most part, you cannot be charged with a crime simply for seeking treatment even if it is an acknowledgment that you are using controlled substances....
Potential inaccuracies and implications of roadside drug tests
Roadside drug tests are designed to detect the presence of drugs in a Texas driver's system quickly. These tests are intended to enhance road safety by identifying impaired drivers. However, there are growing concerns about the reliability of these tests, as they can...
Is “true crime” media twisting the real facts of criminal cases?
Anyone charged with a crime in Texas deserves a fair trial. Unfortunately, factors that have nothing to do with actual proof in court can affect the outcome of a criminal defense case. The "CSI effect" of media on criminal justice Streaming services have become a...
Texas police limitations on search and seizure
The U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment limits the police's ability to legally perform search and seizure activities concerning individuals and their personal property, such as their homes or car. If a police search has violated the law, the judge could toss out the...
What are the problems with police lineups?
When a person is arrested in Texas, the police will often have witnesses identify the suspect in a lineup. Lineups comprise the suspect in custody as well as volunteers. Sometimes, problems might arise with this procedure. Potential police lineup issues One problem...