Anyone between the ages of 10 and 16 are considered juveniles in the state of Texas, but that doesn’t mean they receive “free passes” when it comes to committing sexual offenses against other juveniles. While juvenile sex offense cases will be tried in a juvenile court, this doesn’t mean that the consequences are not severe for the crimes. Juveniles can receive anything from … [Read more...]
3 Important Differences Between Criminal and Civil Cases
The majority of the US legal system can be divided up into two primary categories: criminal and civil cases. While these two can seem similar in some regards, they’re actually vastly different in many areas. Here are three important differences between criminal and civil cases: 1. Who the Offense Impacted Criminal cases are considered crimes against society rather than one … [Read more...]
Are Child Porn Arrests in the United States On the Rise?
At the National Strategy Conference on Combating Child Exploitation in San Jose, California on May 19, 2011, Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. said: “Unfortunately, we´ve also seen a historic rise in the distribution of child pornography, in the number of images being shared online, and in the level of violence associated with child exploitation and sexual abuse crimes. … [Read more...]
Glee Actor Mark Salling Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography
Amidst Hollywood’s ongoing sexual assault scandal, a different kind of sex offense charge is being levied against an actor from one of America’s favorite TV shows. Forewarning: if you’re a self-identified “Gleek,” you may want to brace yourself... In early October, the news dropped that actor Mark Salling, better known to Glee fans as Noah “Puck” Puckerman, entered into a … [Read more...]
Meth Charges: Harsher Penalties for Possession & Distribution
In the wake of the Trump administration revving up the war on drugs, sentencing for possessing or distributing methamphetamines—or what’s known on the street as meth, speed, crystal or ice—is becoming harsher by the day. In Texas, for instance, where the meth problem has grown dramatically in recent years, possession of less than one gram is a state jail felony, with a … [Read more...]
Common Defenses for Criminal Defendants: “I Didn’t Do It”
One of the most basic and common defenses to any criminal charge is the “I didn’t do it” argument. To be convicted of a crime, the prosecutor must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. During any part of the trial, the defendant can present a defense that may actually raise a reasonable doubt. In the U.S. criminal justice system, you are innocent until proven … [Read more...]
