820 bills passed by the latest session of Texas State Legislature became law on September 1, 2019. Many of these laws will have a profound impact — good and bad — for those charged with criminal felonies and misdemeanors in Houston and Harris County. Here’s a list of 15 of these new laws that could […]
Will the District Attorney Drop Assault Charges If the Victim Asks Them To?
If you’ve been charged with assault in Harris County and think the Harris County district attorney’s office will drop the charges against you at the victim’s request, you need to speak to a lawyer. While this might have been true in the past, Texas laws have changed, particularly for some types of assault, such as […]
Is Retail/Return Fraud a Crime in Houston?
Returning an item under the false pretense that it was lawfully purchased in an attempt to receive cash or store credit is a crime known as retail/return fraud. In Texas, this is considered to be a form of theft. Common types of retail/return fraud include: “Return” of stolen merchandise for cash or store credit Employees […]
Videotaping Your Traffic Stop in Houston Is Legal and Smart
If you are being tried for a misdemeanor or felony charge in Texas, the outcome of your case will depend on the evidence presented by both the prosecutor and defense team. If your arrest followed a traffic stop in Houston, any video recordings of the event can be powerful evidence in showing what actually happened […]
Will an Arrest in Texas Remain on Your Record for the Rest of Your Life?
These days, getting a job, a mortgage, applying for college or even renting an apartment often requires the applicant to undergo a personal background check. This includes looking at the applicant’s financial and criminal history (if they have one). Depending on the policies of the company conducting the check, an applicant may be rejected based […]
Can Law Enforcement Search Your Person or Property Without a Search Warrant?
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights was written to protect private citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement and other government officials: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants […]
Take Care of Any Outstanding Warrant in Houston Before the Round-up Begins
If you have been contacted by the Harris County or Houston Municipal Courts about an outstanding warrant for traffic violations or other minor penal code or ordinance violations, now is this time to take care of it, because the 2018 Great Texas Warrant Round-Up is underway. The City of Houston and Harris County are among […]
What Happens If The Police Forget To Read My Rights?
The flashing lights, sirens, and verbal orders — this is the nightmare scenario. And my rights — what about my rights? After the noise stops and the colored strobes dim, an unfortunate arrest means seeking legal counsel from a Houston criminal attorney to help sort through the details. And your Miranda Rights are a significant […]
Criminal Defense FAQ: Part 1
Have you been charged with a felony or misdemeanor in Houston? If so, you and your family probably have a lot of questions and concerns about the legal process you face. At the law offices of Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Lisa Shapiro Strauss, we’ve been helping clients navigate the criminal justice system in Houston for […]
What To Expect From A Theft Case
From the report of a crime to the final appeal, find out what you can expect from the process of a theft case. Reporting of the Theft Theft is often reported by the victim, or what is commonly called the “complaining witness” or “complainant.” The complaining witness can be an individual or a business, depending on the […]
