If you or a loved one serve in the military, it’s important to understand that servicemembers don’t have the same rights as civilians. While members of the armed forces have specific rights and legal protections, they are often quite different than those guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. In certain respects, the military justice system would violate a person’s constitutional rights if the individual was a civilian. However, members of the military are treated differently under military law. In some cases, the legal rights of servicemembers are narrower than … [Read more...]
Report Says Facial Recognition Software Has a Racial Bias
The idea of facial recognition software may sound like something out of a futuristic movie, but police departments are already using it. The software is especially popular in China, where police departments around the country use facial recognition tech powered by artificial intelligence to do everything from displaying the faces of people caught jaywalking to predicting which individuals are likely to commit crimes in the future. In fact, China currently has the most advanced facial recognition capability in the world. According to one report, police in Guangzhou, a city northwest of Hong … [Read more...]
5 Surprising Facts About Crime
Many people believe that crime is on the rise, but is this really true? The news often features stories about violent crimes, which can make it seem like crime is increasing everywhere. However, statistics show that both violent crimes and property crimes are actually declining — and have been for many years. In fact, crime in general has been on the decline for more than two decades. Here’s a look at five important statistics about crime from Pew Research. Violent Crime Has Decreased for 25 Years The statistics behind violent crime reveal that the United States has become … [Read more...]
Federal Drug Cases: Could You Be A Leader or Supervisor Of A Drug Trafficking Organization Without Knowing It?
As a former federal prosecutor and experienced federal criminal defense lawyer, Attorney John Helms explains the enhancement for being an organizer or leader in federal drug cases. In federal drug cases involving methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, or any other illegal drug, a convicted defendant can get a longer sentence if the defendant is an “organizer or leader” or a “manager or supervisor” of a group of people. This is because, all other things being equal, those that are higher up in an organization should normally get a longer sentence than those who are lower in the group. In … [Read more...]
Is It a Crime to Send Drugs Through the Mail?
In an age where you can order just about anything online and have it shipped to your door within a couple of days, most people don’t think anything about sending various items through the mail. But what about medication? Is it ever okay to send your cousin some leftover antibiotics? What about some painkillers you don’t need anymore? If you live in a state where marijuana is legal, can you ship it to someone else in a different state? There are very serious consequences for sending certain substances through the mail, and people who break the law could face long-term consequences. If you … [Read more...]
Criminal Trials: How Much Is Race A Factor In Jury Selection
I read with interest a recent opinion piece in the New York Times called, “Yes, Jury Selection Is As Racist As You Think. Now We Have Proof,” by Professor Ronald Wright of Wake Forest University Law School. The premise of the article is that African-Americans are removed from criminal jury panels at a greater rate than whites because they are more often the subject of “strikes,” also known as “peremptory challenges. These allow prosecutors and defense lawyers to “strike” potential jurors from being on the final jury for any reason except for race, gender, and other Constitutionally-protected … [Read more...]
Prescription Drug Crimes in Texas
Because prescription medications are legal, some people believe you can’t be charged with a crime for using them. However, it is possible to face prosecution for obtaining prescription drugs illegally or selling them illegally to someone else. In fact, the penalties for a prescription drug crime can be as serious as those an individual might face for using illegal drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most commonly abused prescription drugs include barbiturates, sleep medications, and opioids like codeine, oxycodone, morphine, methadone, and fentanyl. If a person … [Read more...]
Federal Alien Smuggling Crime: Can You Be Charged With A Crime Even If Someone Else Brought and Transported Illegal Aliens Into The United States?
It is no secret that many people enter the United States illegally each year. Sometimes, they do so to try to escape violence and crime in their home country. Sometimes, they do so to try to find a better life. Sometimes, they do so to be reunited with family or loved ones who are already in the United States. It is very common for people who enter the United States illegally to pay for the services of people who offer to help them cross the border without being found, and transport them from the border to where they are going. If a person is caught helping people cross the border … [Read more...]
The Penalties for Property Damage Crimes in Texas
Whether it involves smashing a car window or spraying graffiti on a building, property damage crimes can result in many headaches for those charged with these types of offenses. In some cases, an individual charged with a property damage crime could face a civil claim for monetary damages, as well as criminal charges that carry the possibility of jail time, fines, or both. Under Texas law, most property damage crimes are charged as criminal mischief. If you deliberately destroy or damage someone else’s property, you could face serious consequences for criminal mischief. To protect your … [Read more...]
How the Attorney-Client Privilege Protects Your Rights
If you have ever been accused of a crime, such as a federal drug crime, you may have wondered or worried about whether you can tell your criminal defense lawyer everything. The answer is a qualified, “Yes.” The reason you can tell your lawyer everything is because of the attorney-client privilege. The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees every person accused of a crime the right to counsel—meaning a lawyer to defend you. In order to give you the best possible advice, a lawyer needs to know as much about the facts of the case as possible. If a lawyer does not know … [Read more...]
