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 […]
Blog Category: General Criminal Defense Information
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 […]
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. […]
6 Mistakes to Avoid in a Houston Criminal Case
People accused of crimes often make many errors that result in terrible consequences. Avoid these 6 mistakes in your Houston criminal case. 1. Volunteering Evidence When you’ve been falsely accused of a crime, it’s natural to feel the desire to “clear your name.” Unfortunately, this feeling often causes people to make a number of mistakes that, instead […]
Will an Arrest in Texas Remain on Your Record for the Rest of Your Life?
Let Us Help You Clear Your Record! We Help With Expungements and Orders of Non-Disclosure in Harris County. Getting a job, a mortgage, applying for college or even renting an apartment often requires the applicant to have a personal background check in Houston. This includes looking at the applicant’s financial and criminal history (if they […]
You’ve Been Charged With a Crime You Didn’t Commit — How Do You Clear Your Name?
Hopefully, you’ll never be arrested and charged with a crime you didn’t commit. But what if you are? How do you go about clearing your name after being accused of a crime you didn’t commit? Here are some words of advice from leading Houston criminal defense attorney Lisa Shapiro Strauss: Being convicted of a misdemeanor […]
