A defendant’s personal appearance can have a big impact on their case. At the law offices of Houston criminal defense attorney Lisa Shapiro Strauss, we always advise our clients to be well dressed and groomed when they appear for their scheduled court dates. Conservative, professional attire shows that a defendant respects the court and takes […]

Porch pirates beware. You could find yourself being arrested on aggregate theft charges. Depending on the value of the packages you swiped, you could find yourself facing felony rather than just misdemeanor charges. What is aggregate theft in Texas? According to Section 31.09 of the Texas penal code, aggregate theft occurs when an individual commits […]

In most situations, when a person is arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or felony charge in Houston, they are required to post bail before they can be released from jail. For some, the amount of bail the court asks for can be too steep to pay. What is considered excessive bail in Texas? And […]

Houston criminal defense attorney Lisa Shapiro Strauss has represented many clients who have been arrested and charged with multiple misdemeanors and/or felonies. One of their biggest concerns is how long of a sentence they will have to serve if convicted of all the charges. Will their sentences be served concurrently, or cumulatively — stacked one […]

Is making verbal threats a crime in Texas or protected speech? There are many reasons a person could make a verbal threat against the other. In some instances, a verbal threat could be made as a joke; in others, it could be a means of self-defense with no real intention of causing bodily harm or […]

If you’ve been charged with causing injury to a child by omission in Houston, it’s important to take immediate action to protect your rights. Houston family violence defense attorney Lisa Shapiro Strauss is here to defend you. Injury to a child by omission is a felony in Texas; if found guilty, you could face stiff […]

If you’re awaiting trial after being arrested on a misdemeanor or felony charge in Houston or Harris County, the outcome of your trial will depend on the evidence the state uses to make their case for conviction.  In order to obtain a conviction in Texas, prosecutors must convince a jury, beyond a reasonable doubt, that […]

David was caught shoplifting at a local Walmart. He was detained by loss prevention staff; the property he is accused of attempting to steal — a $12 T-shirt — was recovered. No charges were filed, but he was banned from returning to the store. Sandra was also accused of shoplifting at Walmart, for about $25 […]

Is it legal for law enforcement to search a private residence or business without a search warrant? It is if they have consent from the owners or occupants to do so. This is the basis of the “knock and talk,” a popular investigative technique used by Houston law enforcement. Knock and talk allow law enforcement […]

Being charged with family violence charges in Texas could have a big impact if you’re going through a divorce. In Texas, family violence is also sometimes known as domestic violence or domestic abuse. It occurs when an adult family member threatens or harms another family member. The adult family member may include: A partner or […]