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Recent Blog Posts
What You Need to Know About Texas Solicitation Law
Solicitation refers to the sale of sexual intercourse between one individual and another in an act of prostitution. In the state of Texas, criminal charges can be brought against an individual for committing, promoting, compelling, or soliciting prostitution. These charges may be leveled against someone even if a sex act was not actually committed. An individual engages in prostitution if they knowingly participate in a sexual act or offer to engage in a sexual act for a monetary sum.
At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., we have years of experience representing individuals charged with sex crimes. With the necessary skills and resources to defend a number of solicitation-related offenses, our Plano sex crime attorney can craft a specific defense for your legal needs. We also offer free and confidential consultations, so you know we are serious about winning your case.
Understanding Solicitation Charges
Whether solicitation is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the details of the offense. While a first-time solicitation charge will usually be tried as a misdemeanor, individuals with increasing offenses risk being charged with a felony.
What is the Age of Consent in Texas?
Understanding the laws surrounding the age of consent is essential for anyone living in or visiting Texas. These laws play a critical role in determining the legality of romantic and sexual relationships, particularly when there is an age difference.
Violating these laws can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment and mandatory registration as a sex offender. An experienced Texas sex crimes defense attorney helps people facing charges involving age of consent violations.
The Age of Consent in Texas
In Texas, the age of consent is 17. This means that people aged 17 or older are legally permitted to engage in consensual sexual activity. If one participant is younger than 17, the law says they cannot give legal consent, even if the relationship appears consensual.
5 Steps to Take When Under Federal Investigation
Whether you received a subpoena or federal authorities knocked on your door, being under federal investigation for an alleged criminal offense can be stressful, confusing, and downright frightening. Despite the fact that you haven’t been formally charged, it is imperative to take certain measures to protect your rights and future.
The following are five steps you should take if you are under federal investigation:
- Hire a lawyer – As soon as you learn about the federal investigation against you, do not wait until you are charged. Instead, get an attorney who is licensed to practice in federal court right away. Your lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of each stage of the investigation, protect your from legal pitfalls, and defend you in court in the event your case reaches trial.
- Remember your rights – Although you are being investigated, your constitutional rights can still protect you. For instance, if federal authorities attempt to enter your property or your office without an arrest or search warrant, you have the right to refuse entrance and refuse to speak unless your lawyer is present.
5 Steps to Take After Being Accused of a Sex Crime
Being falsely accused of a sex crime can cause substantial damage to your professional reputation and personal life—even if you haven’t been found guilty of the offense. The truth is that many people misuse these serious charges to get revenge, gain an upper hand in a family law dispute, or otherwise cause undue harm against another individual.
If you’re accused of a sex crime you didn’t commit, the next steps you take could make the difference between freedom and conviction. Not only is a sex crime in Texas punishable by a lengthy prison sentence and expensive fines, but also be required to register as a sex offender—possibly for the rest of your life.The following are the important steps to take after being falsely accused of a sex crime:
- Seek legal representation – The first step to take is to hire a criminal defense attorney. While many people facing false allegations believe their innocence will be proven at the conclusion of the investigation, or that hiring a lawyer makes them appear guilty. However, an attorney will protect your rights and future, as well as help you avoid getting into further legal trouble.
Do I Have to Register as a Sex Offender in Texas Forever?
In the event of being convicted of a sex crime in Texas, not only will you serve time in prison and pay fines and restitution, but you must also register as a sex offender. The Texas Sex Offender Registration Program was established to provide the public and police with information on each registered offender’s whereabouts and restrict where offenders may live, work, or even visit.
One of the most common questions asked by those facing sex crime charges is, “Does a conviction mean I have to register as a sex offender for the rest of my life?”
The answer: it depends on the specific crime.
According to Texas law, lifetime registration as a sex offender is necessary if you are convicted of the following types of sex crimes:
- Sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault
- Child sex abuse
CBS CEO Ousted After Sexual Harassment Allegations
On Sep. 9, CNBC published a story about CBS CEO, Leslie Moonves, who was ousted after sexual harassment allegations. The allegations against Mr. Moonves came from not one, but twelve different women who claimed that his sexual misconduct damaged their careers. Moonves denied the women’s allegations and stated that some of the relationships with his accusers were consensual.“Untrue allegations from decades ago are now being made against me that are not consistent with who I am. I am deeply saddened to be leaving the company. I wish nothing but the best for the organization [CBS], the newly comprised board of directors and all of its employees,” Mr. Moonves said in a statement after CBS announced his departure.In its announcement, CBS said that the company and Mr. Moonves will be donating $20 million to organizations in support of the #MeToo movement (which supports sexual assault survivors and seeks to end sexual violence) as well as organizations that support equality for women in the workplace. But how does this case relate to regular people?
How Mouth Alcohol Affects Breath Testing
Law enforcement commonly uses breath tests (breathalyzers) to determine a suspected drunk driver’s level of intoxication and as evidence in a DWI case. However, these types of tests cannot directly measure BAC since it doesn’t analyze the blood. Instead, they rely on the amount of alcohol particles in a person’s breath when he/she exhales.
Mouth alcohol is a factor that can influence breath tests. It occurs when a small amount of alcohol remains in the mouth or throat, thus contaminating your breath as you blow into the breathalyzer and resulting in a falsely high BAC reading. Although most traces of alcohol are gone within 15 minutes, sometimes alcohol can end up back in the mouth, or something else produces mouth alcohol which throws off the test results.
The following are the most common sources of mouth alcohol:
- Burping or vomiting – A burp can produce enough alcohol back up into the mouth to influence the test results. Law enforcement is required to conduct a 15-minute observation period before using the breathalyzer. During this time, the officer is supposed to watch that you don’t burp, vomit, or even hiccup whatsoever. Yet, sometimes police ignore this step or fail to pay close attention.
Expunction & Record Sealing in TX: Am I Eligible?
Everyone makes mistakes—that’s the way of life. But when past mistakes threaten your future, you deserve an opportunity to fix your mistakes. If your criminal record makes it difficult to find a new job, obtain a professional license, or even apply for an apartment or loan, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you clear your name.
In Texas, there are two different processes: expunction and record sealing (under an order of nondisclosure). The difference between the two is that expunction results in the destruction of your criminal record, while sealing means only criminal agencies can access it—not the public. Once your record has been expunged or sealed, you do not have to disclose any of that information.
Eligibility for Expunction
Your criminal record may be eligible for expunction if you were arrested for a misdemeanor and felony and:
A Police Search with Your Roommate’s Consent
In most circumstances, a police officer needs a warrant before searching a residence. However, an officer can bypass this little detail if a legal resident of the home agrees to the police search. So what rights do you have if your roommate lets an officer into your home?
The Roommate Scenario
Luckily, your roommate isn’t the same as a family member. Even though you share the same space, there are specific areas and items that belong to each of you individually. A police officer cannot search the private room of someone who is not present to grant consent. So, even if your roommate grants consent to a police offer, any evidence discovered in your private spaces may not hold up in court. This rule also applies to any closed boxes or bags. If they are specifically yours and pointedly closed, then the officer cannot touch them without your explicit consent or a warrant.
It is, however, up to the court to decide if your roommate has the authority to let an officer search your private rooms and items. For example, if you are in a romantic relationship or just happen to share a bedroom with your roommate, then that space is fair game. Luckily, an officer is unable to search your residence without a warrant if you have two roommates and only one grants consent.
Everything You Need to Know About Your Shoplifting Charge
If you are caught shoplifting in Texas, you’ll have to deal with not only an embarrassing social experience, but also significant and overwhelming legal consequences. According to the Texas Penal Code, shoplifting offenses are aggressively judged and punishable as theft.
Shoplifting offenses include:
- Stealing items
- Intentionally writing bad checks
- Altering price tags
Your Charges
The legal penalties for a theft charge increase depending on the value of the stolen merchandise and your prior offenses. Adult shoplifters can also be sued by retailers for actual damages and additional damages up to $1,000. If a child is caught shoplifting, a retailer can sue the parents and guardians for actual damages up to $5,000.
Texas Shoplifting Charges
Class C misdemeanor
- Property value is less than $50
- Punishable by fines up to $500
Class B misdemeanor
