McKinney Texas Criminal Law Blog

A previous post outlined the five types of criminal charges that involve family violence, or domestic violence. These are: Domestic assault  Aggravated domestic assault  Continuous violence against the family  Child abuse  Stalking In this post we will discuss the potential penalties ...

Conflicts within relationships can result in the cops being called and criminal charges being filed that can turn lives and families upside down. That's especially true with any criminal conviction for domestic violence.  It's important to get an experienced criminal defense attorney on the case ...

In Texas, it's illegal to buy, sell, grow, or possess marijuana unless you are authorized to do so for medical purposes. That also applies to THC oil and dabs, a concentrated and more potent form of cannabis.  What many people don't know is that it's also illegal to possession the drug parapherna...

It's common for sex crime cases involving solicitation of a minor to start with a sting operation, with law enforcement officers going online and pretending to be an underage youth.  That's what happened in 2019 when 41-year-old police detective Darrick Dunn played the role of a teen boy on the d...

Also Top in Drunk Driving Arrests The auto insurance website BuyAutoInsurance.com just released a report identifying the Top 10 states in the nation with the highest death rates from drunk driving. Unfortunately, the Lone Star State did not fare well. In the 3-year period of the study, from 2016 ...

In Texas, you have a legal right to refuse to consent to a DWI test – a blood test or a breathalyzer test.  Many people think that if they refuse the blood alcohol or breathalyzer test when the officer asks them on the road, and they wait to get tested later, their blood alcohol level will be low...

Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed HB 1927 into law, making it legal on September 1, 2021, for anyone in Texas, aged 21 and over, to legally carry a handgun without getting a state license (unless they are excluded from possessing a firearm by state or federal law). A background check is still requ...

Texas Family Code defines a child as a person aged 10 to 17. In the Texas criminal justice system, children under age 10 cannot be prosecuted for a crime but they could be provided with services if the state feels that's needed to help them stay out of the juvenile justice system.  17-yr-olds fac...

In April 2019, we blogged about how the lack of rules for the collection of people's images for inclusion and use by facial recognition software. Privacy advocates were raising concerns about the high potential for misuse of this powerful technology. Criminal defense lawyers saw the potential for...

Prosecutors use eyewitnesses to: Identify suspects,  Piece together the events that led up to an incident or a crime,  Shed light on motives or the emotional state of the people involved.  The testimony of an eyewitness to a crime carries a lot of weight with a jury and a judge. It can be...

Probation is a tool used in the juvenile justice system to help kids learn and grow after a mistake. Is your child facing probation? Hopefully, we can give you some peace of mind by explaining what you can expect. What Is Juvenile Probation? Juvenile probation is a court order that allows your ch...

As a parent, finding out your child has potentially committed a crime can feel overwhelming. And although you may know that your next best step is to find an attorney, how do you choose when there are so many options available? First, take a deep breath—there are plenty of highly qualified juveni...

Some juvenile crimes start as innocent mistakes such as taking a quick ride around the block in mom or dad's car. Unfortunately, joyriding is a crime just like vehicle theft. Yet, there are specific differences between the two. What Is Joyriding? Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, also known as...

In juvenile law, there are a few crimes that are more common than others, such as possession of drug paraphernalia, petty theft and vandalism. The latter is included in criminal mischief, a specific group of offenses with its own consequences. If your child is facing a criminal mischief charge, i...

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes or vape pens, are increasingly popular. Unfortunately, many juveniles use vape pens throughout Texas. And not only are these vape pens dangerous, but they're also heavily regulated, just like other drug paraphernalia. Has your child been caught wi...

You've received a call you never thought you would—your child has been caught shoplifting. Now, you might feel angry, confused, frustrated and disappointed. It's also normal to worry about the next steps your child might face with the legal system. Let us give you some peace of mind during this t...

Unfortunately, it's increasingly easy for a juvenile to obtain drugs such as marijuana. Even the vape pens popular with those under the legal age for purchasing cigarettes can have traces of THC inside. In Texas, law enforcement cracks down on the use of drugs and the possession of drug paraphern...

In Texas and across the country, a conversation has developed about excessive prosecution and incarceration. As a result, there is wide support for criminal justice reform, including proposals to decriminalize or legalize cannabis and end criminal prosecution and incarceration for related offense...

Texas residents likely think of serious crimes like murder and arson when felonies are mentioned, and they may be surprised to learn that dozens of acts that would barely raise an eyebrow also fall under this designation. Calling in sick to spend a day in front of the television is actually a fel...

For many people in Texas, a wrongful conviction is one of their worst nightmares. With the advent of computer surveillance technology and DNA testing, many might hope that wrongful convictions are less likely than they were in the past. However, many cases, especially for more minor crimes like s...

Texas residents who use apps such as Ring or Lyft may not have full control of their data. Only three states require that police get a warrant before accessing information about an individual from those or other popular apps. Companies such as Ring readily hand over information to police officers...

On Aug. 6, “Love After Lockup: Life After Lockup” star Tracie Wagaman was arrested for alleged drug possession in Texas. The incident took place in Tarrant County. According to media reports, Wagaman, age 39, was taken into custody by officers from the Bedford Police Department and charged with ...

A Texas attorney faces spending up to 99 years in prison on felony drug charges after quantities of methamphetamine and other illegal drugs were allegedly found in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop on the night of July 20. The 50-year-old man was released from the Williamson County Jail o...

Being a parent isn't an easy job-especially during the teen years. You know your teenager is bound to make mistakes and get into trouble, but what do you do if get a call one night that your teen has been cited for DWI (driving while intoxicated) and is waiting for you to pick them up at Collin C...

Jurisdictions in Texas and throughout the country have tried to raise money through fines and fees. This allows them to generate revenue without having to increase taxes. However, if a person cannot pay a fine, he or she may spend time in jail or on probation until the issue is resolved. That cou...