Do Police Have to Read You Your Miranda Rights?
You’re under arrest, and just like in movies, you have the right to remain silent. What does this mean? Miranda rights are something we’re all familiar with. Whether we know these rights from movies or not, they can prove useful if we’re facing an arrest. However, sometimes the police will not give you a Miranda warning, and that act has its own meanings and consequences. Before we talk about whether police have to read you…
Is Recording the Police Officers in Texas Legal?
Due to police brutality becoming a regular topic on the news and social media these days, most states around the country require police officers to wear body cams. The purpose of these devices is to provide evidence of whether the officer in question is doing their job the right way. However, if the public wants to see those recordings, they need to pay a fee. This has led ordinary people to start filming all interactions…
How Does an Appeal Bond Work?
Not every bond is there to let you leave jail. An appeal bond, instead, is a bond that you place to ensure payment of the judgement in case your appeal fails. In essence, it is a method for the state to protect itself from your potential bankruptcy. It’s not uncommon for the average person to have problems understanding how the U.S. justice system works. When it comes to the rules of appellate procedure, people often…
Are DUI and DWI Checkpoints Legal in Texas?
DUI and DWI arrests are not rare in the U.S., but they aren’t something that can happen in every state. Some states find the entire process to be unconstitutional. You might want to know whether you are safe from these DWI checkpoints in Texas, and if the two terms are used interchangebly. What Is a DUI Checkpoint? DUI stands for driving under the influence. The precise definition differs from state to state, but it usually…
The Difference Between Cash Bail and a Surety Bond
If you or a loved one got arrested, you might have received the option for bail. Sometimes, the bail amount is low enough to pay with cash. However, most times bail amounts are set pretty high and are nearly impossible to pay with cash bail. This is when a surety bond comes to the rescue. How Does Bail Work? When a person gets arrested, they need to wait for the trial. In some cases, the…
Recidivism and Rising Rearrest Rates
Government officials and public speakers for privatized U.S. prisons frequently parrot the sentiment that jail time is rehabilitative. Although, the masses that are serving years in poor conditions for low-level crimes would likely just call it punishment. Spending an extended period of time in jail can permanently damage the trajectory of someone’s life. What’s worse? Oftentimes, the sentence isn’t even rehabilitative and actually exposes inmates to more serious offenders and dangerous situations. Typically, the punishments…
How To Prepare For Your Bail Hearing
The purpose of bail is to ensure that you attend all of your hearings, throughout the duration of your trial. Bail provides a defendant with conditional liberties under the assumption that they aren’t a threat to anyone. The judge presiding over your hearing uses the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to determine if you qualify for bail. The code limits which kinds of indicted felonies qualify for bail releases. The Texas Criminal code grants the…
How To Navigate Felony Charges
Crimes fall into two categories: misdemeanors or felonies. Misdemeanors are less serious and generally carry a maximum of up to one year in jail. Felonies involve more serious crimes that typically carry sentences of more than one year’s imprisonment or potentially life in prison. A felony is a serious criminal charge. The resulting penalties can be severe. If you are convicted of the charges, the consequences will be serious including large fines, imprisonment, and social…
What Happens to Bail Money?
Bail is typically very expensive. In Texas, misdemeanors can run up to $4,000. Felonies can go up to $20,000 and serious felonies like murder can start at $1 million. If you don’t appear in court then you forfeit this money. This may lead you to wonder what can happen to your bail money. Factors That Can Raise Bail There are a variety of factors that determine the amount of your bail. These factors can also…
How to Choose the Right Attorney
Like any other big decision, you should approach choosing an attorney wisely. You will be sharing confidential information with this person, but you will also be entrusting them to offer you proper legal advice and guide you through a situation you wouldn’t be able to navigate on your own. From qualifications and cost, to the area of law and location, there are several aspects to thoroughly go over before selecting the attorney that is best…