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Recent Blog Posts
How Does a Child Sexual Assault Case Become Federal?
A conviction in federal court for sexually abusing a child can lead to decades in prison, lifetime registration as a sex offender, and permanent damage to your reputation and future. If you have been accused of child sexual assault in Texas, you need to know when and why a case might be prosecuted federally.
Get answers to your questions and the help you need from a Texas federal criminal defense attorney with experience fighting federal child sex abuse charges.
What Makes a Child Sexual Assault Case a Federal Crime?
Most sexual assault cases, including those involving minors, are handled by state courts under Texas law. However, certain factors can cause a case to fall under federal jurisdiction. These typically involve conduct that crosses state lines, uses federal property, or violates federal statutes.
Can You Be Convicted of a Sex Crime Against a Child Just Based on an Accusation?
Few criminal allegations are as serious as being accused of a sex crime involving a child. Theoretically, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. In real life, these cases can destroy the life of the person being accused long before a verdict is reached in court. Because of this, one of the most common questions people ask after being accused is whether you can be convicted of a sex crime against a child based solely on an allegation.
If someone has accused you of committing a sex crime against a child, you need a lawyer who is not afraid to stand up for your rights in public. At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., our Plano, TX criminal defense lawyer has defended clients against the most serious accusations imaginable and has still won hundreds of not-guilty verdicts. Call us at 214-544-0061 now.
Can You Be Charged with a Crime if Your Dog Seriously Injures or Kills Someone?
When your family pet or guard dog attacks someone, the incident can quickly turn into a criminal case. In Texas, you can face criminal negligence or even manslaughter charges if prosecutors think you did not control a dangerous animal. These charges can carry years in prison and permanent damage to your reputation.
After a major animal attack, emergency responders arrive, animal control investigates, and police start asking questions. When the injuries are serious or fatal, the case moves into the criminal courts. At that point, you need an experienced Collin County criminal defense attorney who understands how to challenge every aspect of the state’s case.
What Does "Criminal Negligence" Mean in a Texas Animal Attack Case?
Texas Health and Safety Code § 822.005 allows prosecutors to charge an owner criminally if a dog causes serious injury or death and the owner was criminally negligent.
How Serious Is an Arson Charge in Texas?
Arson is a felony offense in Texas and is prosecuted very seriously. Even a small fire can lead to a long prison sentence, and certain factors can make the penalties even harsher. If you have been accused of arson, a Collin County, TX criminal defense attorney can help fight for your rights in court.
At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., we have a long history of representing clients charged with serious crimes. Attorney Darlina C. Crowder has over 25 years of experience in criminal defense, and she has handled high-profile cases across the state of Texas with favorable results. We can help you navigate an arson charge, considering all possible defenses given the circumstances of your case.
What Qualifies as Arson Under State Law?
In Texas, the crime of arson is defined as setting a fire or setting off an explosion for the purpose of destroying or damaging protected property, including vegetation on open-space land (Texas Penal Code Sec. 28.02). Additionally, you could face criminal charges if you set a fire with reckless disregard for the safety of other people or property.
What to Do if Your Child Is Accused of a Sex Crime in College
Discovering that your child has been accused of a sex crime while in college is shocking for most parents. These allegations carry serious consequences, including criminal charges, potential prison time, and impacts on a young adult’s education and future opportunities. You likely have urgent questions about what this means for your child’s future.
A good attorney can help with many of these problems. At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., our Plano, TX sex crimes defense attorney handles very serious sex crime cases and has a proven record of over 300 not guilty verdicts and acquittals. We offer free consultations to review your child’s situation and explain the steps you can take.
What Should I Do First if My Son is Accused of a Sex Crime?
The first step is to remain calm and avoid acting impulsively. Do not allow your child to speak to police, school officials, or anyone connected to the allegation without consulting an attorney. Anything they say can be used in the investigation or in court.
Using "Stand Your Ground" a Defense to Gun Charges in Texas
Texas is known to have strong self-defense protections, especially when firearms are involved. If you are facing a gun-related charge, Texas’s "Stand Your Ground" and "Castle Doctrine" laws may affect your case. These rules are often misunderstood, but when applied correctly, they can sometimes provide a powerful defense. A Plano, TX weapons charge defense lawyer at The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. can explain how these laws work, when they apply, and how they may be used in your case.
What Is Texas’s "Stand Your Ground" Law?
In the past, Texas law required people to retreat, if possible, before using deadly force. That changed in 2007 when the state expanded self-defense rights. Under Texas Penal Code § 9.32, you do not have to retreat if you are in a place you are allowed to be, as long as you did not start the fight and were not committing a crime. If you reasonably believe deadly force is needed to protect yourself from death, serious injury, or certain violent crimes, you may stand your ground.
What Happens If You Talk to Police Without a Lawyer?
If you have been arrested or even just questioned by police, you may already feel the walls closing in. Police officers are trained to make you feel like talking is your only choice. But if you talk to police without a lawyer, you put yourself at serious risk.
Every word you say can be twisted, taken out of context, or used against you in court. Even if you are innocent, nervous answers or poorly chosen words can make it harder to defend yourself. That is why the smartest thing you can do when facing serious charges is to stay calm and silent, and call an experienced Collin County criminal defense lawyer immediately.
Why Talking Without a Lawyer Is Dangerous
Police are not your friends when you are under investigation. Their job is to gather evidence that can lead to charges and convictions. They may act friendly or say they "just want to hear your side." What they really want is information they can use against you.
The Legal Gray Area: Gifts, Support, and Prostitution Charges
In the state of Texas, prostitution laws (Texas Penal Code Title 9, Section 43.02) target more than street-based transactions that offer sex for money. In some cases, "non-traditional" relationships where one person provides financial support, housing, or expensive gifts in exchange for ongoing intimacy can come under legal scrutiny. These arrangements are often known as being "kept," or having a "sugar daddy" (or sugar mama).
This type of arrangement can blur the legal lines between the crime of prostitution and a consensual adult arrangement. If you find yourself being charged with prostitution for having a less-than-traditional arrangement, you must speak to a highly experienced Plano, TX criminal defense lawyer. The fallout from a prostitution conviction can be significant, both immediately and for the foreseeable future.
Wiretap Warrants in Federal Cases: Are They Listening to You?
While federal agents listening to your phone calls and reading your texts may sound like something out of a spy movie, in Texas federal cases, it is a very real possibility if you are under investigation. The government can and does use wiretap warrants to monitor communications in investigations involving drugs, fraud, organized crime, and other federal crimes.
If you have ever wondered whether the federal government is listening to your conversations, it is essential to understand the process and your rights. An experienced Texas federal crimes lawyer can help determine whether a wiretap is on your phone, and, if so, help you mitigate potential charges in some cases.
What is a Federal Wiretap Warrant and When Can It Be Used?
The definition of a federal wiretap warrant can be found in Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act. The agencies most likely to be involved in wiretap investigations in Texas include the DEA, FBI, and ATF. There are differences between state and federal wiretap authority. Federal laws establish the baseline privacy protections for all wire, oral, and electronic communications. Texas, and many other states, are "one-party" consent regarding recording conversations, meaning an individual can record a conversation if they are a participant, or if one participant consents.
Texas Laws on Indecent Exposure: When Does It Become a Crime?
While not all inappropriate behavior or even public nudity results in criminal charges, in Texas, certain acts can quickly cross the legal line into indecent exposure. Although indecent exposure could stem from a prank taken too far, or even a misunderstanding, if you have been charged with indecent exposure, it is no laughing matter. A conviction for indecent exposure can have serious consequences, including, in some cases, mandated sex offender registration.
So, when does a moment of poor judgment become a criminal act? Under Texas Penal Code Section 21.08, the key legal elements of indecent exposure include the exposure of one’s genitals with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire. The law also requires that another person witnessed the exposure and found it offensive or alarming. A Plano, TX criminal defense attorney can build a strong defense on your behalf to avoid a conviction that could adversely affect the rest of your life.
