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 […]
What Is the Difference Between Stacked and Concurrent Sentences in Texas?
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 […]
What Evidence Does a Prosecutor Have to Disclose to the Defense?
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 […]
Who’s Knocking At Your Door? Don’t Fall For A Houston Knock and Talk Search
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 […]
Look out for the 2021 Houston Warrant Roundup
If you have an outstanding warrant in Houston or Harris County, March 2021 could turn out to be a very bad month for you. That’s because March is the month Texas law enforcement conducts their annual Texas Warrant Roundup. During the 2021 Warrant Roundup, the Houston Police Department, Harris County Constables, and other participating state […]
Houston’s CAR Program: You May Not Get Arrested, But You Can Still Go to Jail
Under Houston’s new Cite and Release program, if you are suspected of committing certain Class A or B misdemeanors, police officers will issue you a citation, rather than arrest you and place you in jail. However, just because you didn’t get arrested, doesn’t mean you won’t be paying big fines or be sentenced to jail […]
Common Criminal Charges Against College Students
College years can be a magical time. Years spent in lecture halls absorbing the knowledge of tenured professors, all while working towards a coveted degree. Late study nights, coffee breaks and falling asleep on the books. Then there is the other side of the college years. Study by day and let loose at night. Many […]
How Reasonable Doubt Applies in a Criminal Case
If you’ve ever watched the evening news or one of the many prime time courtroom dramas, you’ve probably heard many times that in order for a jury to convict a person of a crime, they must find them guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” But what does that phrase really mean? And how could it affect […]
Video Conferencing, MyCase Portal Make Client Communications Quick, Easy and Secure for Houston Criminal Defense Cases
Houston criminal attorney Lisa Shapiro Strauss has always strived to make keeping in touch with clients as easy and convenient as possible. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, virtual contact has also been critical for keeping criminal cases moving forward while protecting the health of all parties. As part of that effort, Lisa offers video conferencing […]
What’s the Difference Between Arraignment and Trial?
Most defendants arrested and charged with misdemeanor or felony offenses in Harris County will eventually have their cases go to trial, where they will be either convicted or acquitted of the charges against them. In the trial phase of their case, defendants can choose to have either a trial by jury or trial by judge. […]
