5 Common Crimes Committed in Texas
Larceny Many people use the terms theft and larceny interchangeably. Regardless of which term you prefer, the act of larceny is a serious crime in the state of Texas. Generally, a prosecutor can only charge you with these crimes if you intentionally take something belonging to another person without their knowledge or permission. The consequences of a theft charge typically depends upon the value of the object, product, or service you allegedly stole. Drugs Drug…
The Texas Indictment Process
In Texas, an indictment is a critical step in the legal process for felony charges. It serves as a formal accusation against an individual, issued by a grand jury after reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution. Unlike misdemeanor cases, which may proceed based on a complaint or information, felony cases require an indictment before they can move forward in court. Understanding how this process works is essential for anyone facing criminal charges, as it determines…
Winter Storm Uri’s Impact on Texas Jails
It’s common knowledge that inmates in Texas jails endure unhealthy conditions and abuse. In the past, they’ve experienced extreme temperatures and unsanitary conditions. As the Texas prison population continues to grow and jails near capacity, more accounts of physical abuse and neglect emerge. When winter storm Uri tore through Texas, inmates also had to contend with infrastructural issues. Nearly ⅓ of Texas jails lost power and had very little water if any. All prison units…
What’s the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?
The terms felony and misdemeanor are ways of classifying the severity of a crime. Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies and result in a year or less in jail time. Felonies are very serious and you may find yourself in jail for a year or up to a lifetime. Misdemeanor A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that can carry up to a year in jail time. These crimes are less serious than felonies, and you’ll…
What to Expect Your First Time In Jail
Imagine finding yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. You may be driving home after drinking too much or find yourself in an illegal situation. Then, suddenly, you see the swirling red and blue lights, hear the sirens, and see the officers bursting onto the scene. You suddenly realize that you’re not going to get out of this one: you’re going to jail. If you have never been to jail before, the prospect…
Hurricanes and Inmate Overpopulation: The Impact on Harris County Jail Staff and Inmates
Ever since Hurricane Harvey demolished the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in downtown Houston in 2017, the justice system has been facing a backlog of mounting cases. This has been increasing the pressure put on the Harris County Jail—including its growing population of inmates. Related: A Grim Look Into Prison Life in Harris County Harris County Jail’s Inmate Overpopulation Takes a Toll on Staff According to Darryl Coleman, the chief of the Criminal Justice Command…
How to Find Any Inmate Arrested in Texas
We know how frustrating it can be to locate someone who’s been arrested. Sometimes, searching for an inmate is easy and simple—other times, it can be seemingly impossible. Unfortunately, many websites on the internet show expired inmate lists or lists that aren’t credible enough to maintain an accurate database. So how do you find an inmate easily and without hassle? Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Database Thankfully, searching for an inmate is easy and…
When Harris County Bail Bond Companies Fought Back
Despite the request of three bail bond companies to delay the start of proposed revisions on new bail rules, a Harris County judge sided with lawyers for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and a list of new Democratic judges trying to loosen misdemeanor bail rules back in February. The three bail bond companies argued that the court-ordered bail reform—which is a key step in a very controversial legal fight over the pretrial detainment of poor,…
Bailing Someone Out of Jail? Read This First
Bailing someone out of jail? Before you sign any contracts, know what you’re dealing with first. There are many elements and key outlines that go into working with a bail bond company and cosigning to get someone out of jail. ABC Bail Bonds has been serving the Houston area for over 25 years, both bailing inmates out of jail and lending important information to all Harris County residents. Here’s what you should know before cosigning…
Scientists Disprove the FBI’s Photo Analysis Techniques—That They Still Use
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] The FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, contains about 6 or 7 technicians who analyze pictures—down to the pixel—to determine potential matches to suspects. The images of the suspects are collected by investigators with cameras at various crime scenes. This unit specializes in visual evidence and facial recognition. In fact, its examiners can sharpen images or zoom into…