Most people in Texas are aware that when a police officer suspects they may be intoxicated during a traffic stop, the officer may ask them to get out of their car and take a few roadside tests. These tests are called field sobriety tests and, as explained by...
Child involvement increases drug law penalties
Being charged with a violation of drug law can be scary enough. However, if children are involved in some manner with the crime, Texas prosecutors are empowered under state law to increase the charges, sometimes substantially. If these added charges are successfully...
Can petty cash policies help clear theft charges?
Many Texas businesses keep a supply of petty cash on hand to take care of simple expenses or expenditures that may come up suddenly. Some employers even include a policy for how to spend the petty cash. At times, an employee might be accused of inappropriately...
Understanding Texas marijuana possession penalties
Although 33 states have legalized cannabis for medical use and several allow recreational use, Texas still prohibits possession of the plant for any reason. Individuals found with cannabis are subject to stringent penalties, which may include jail time. If you or a...
The two different types of asset forfeiture
According to the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, citizens of Texas and all other states have the right to protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. However, what state and federal governments deem "reasonable" may not always match the ordinary...
Could a low-carb diet affect the results of a breathalyzer test?
In 2006, a Swedish researcher published a paper on the effect of low-carb diets on breath testing machines. He profiled a man who struggled to start a company vehicle fitted with an ignition interlock device even though he was completely sober. An ignition interlock...
Drug dogs are trusted by the courts. How accurate are they?
When a person is sniffed by a drug dog, a positive response by the dog is enough to justify a further search of the person and their belongings. Based on a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case, a dog sniff isn’t even considered a search for the purposes of the Fourth...