Criminal defendants, at least in theory, are protected by a presumption of innocence. That is the underpinning of the comprehensive anti-rape report issued by the White House, as lawyer and writer Jill Filipovic reports in an article for news channel Al Jazeera America. The 34-page document presents solutions to rape and sexual assault …
Plea Bargains: Reduced Sentences via a Top Houston Sex Crimes Lawyer
Some defendants who seek to reduce their sentences choose to plead guilty or “no contest” and ask for a plea agreement. In most cases involving second-degree felonies, such as an improper teacher-student relationship, probation and fines may be meted out as punishment instead of imprisonment. Web reporter Carol Kuruvilla’s article for NY Daily …
How a Houston Sex Crimes Attorney Uses Evidence to Defend the Accused
Evidence is the strongest basis for determining whether a defendant is guilty or innocent. Without enough evidence, criminal charges may be dismissed. Such was the case with one of the charges against Larry Bowes, a rape trial defendant. “In all, Bowes faces three counts of first-degree rape of a child, six counts of first-degree sex offense of a child, and four counts of indecent liberties with …
Love and the Law: Houston Sex Crimes Lawyer and Underage Relationships
Love knows no age, as some would say. Lady Justice, however, doesn’t seem to agree, especially when it involves a minor. It is a hard lesson that Colbey Keith Ford of Midland, Texas may now be learning. As reported by Midland Reporter-Telegram, Ford was recently arrested for committing sexual acts with a girl who is …
Fighting Social Stigma with the Help of a Houston Sex Crimes Lawyer
Sexual assault is a serious accusation that can result in a lifetime of stigma and discrimination, on top of the potential sentence the accused may serve as punishment. In many cases, discrimination begins even before a court date is set, with the public’s sympathy often going to the alleged victim. Wendy Kaminer, in …
Statutory Rape: A Houston Sex Crimes Attorney Defends the Accused
The rate of sex crimes in Texas, particularly in major cities like Houston, has been going down recently. However, some cases of rape have a distinct or atypical nature. For example, statutory rape involves a person who has reached the age of consent and who had sex with another person under the age …
No Polygraph Tests Prior to Consulting a Houston Sex Crimes Attorney
In Texas, people who are accused of sex crimes might be asked to take a polygraph test (lie detector test). Although some might view a polygraph test as a quick way to clear one’s name, the test itself is not 100 percent accurate, as explained by an article from How Stuff Works: “When …