Dallas Texas Criminal Defense Blog

Should you talk to the police without a lawyer?

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Ending up in jail is scary. Even if you are innocent, the police obviously believe you committed a crime, and you need to be cautious about how you proceed. From the moment the cops arrest you, you need to start planning your defense.

Whether you are innocent or guilty, there is never any reason to talk to the police without a lawyer present. You have nothing to gain by accepting an interrogation from law enforcement without legal representation. In fact, you could end up making things a lot worse. At the time of arrest, you need to provide the police with your name and a copy of your driver's license and registration if the cops caught you driving at the time.

Did you inadvertently commit tax fraud?

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Tuesday, November 12, 2019.

Today’s tax system is undeniably complex. If you are like many people across Texas, you may have concerns about whether you are doing everything “by the book” when filing. Unfortunately, there are many areas in which you may make errors when filing your taxes. In some cases, mistakes made during filing can lead to allegations of tax fraud.

Tax fraud is a serious offense that can bring with it serious consequences. Thus, the more you understand about what could potentially constitute tax fraud, the more likely you will be to avoid making errors that attract the attention of the IRS. Just what are some of the ways Americans commonly find themselves facing tax fraud charges?

Do you have to let the police search your car?

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Monday, October 14, 2019.

Under the Fourth Amendment, people have a right to reasonable search and seizure. This prevents the police from getting into anyone's home and searching for evidence of crimes. The police need a warrant to search a residence, but slightly different laws exist for searching vehicles.

The cops do not necessarily need a warrant to search inside a car, but they do need a reasonable cause. There may not be time to obtain a warrant from a judge, but as long as the cops have probable cause to assume there is evidence of a crime inside a vehicle, then they can look inside. However, it is paramount for drivers to be aware of their rights and when they can deny a cop access to a vehicle.

Does the product you offer qualify as mail fraud?

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Monday, September 16, 2019.

Let us suppose you developed an advertising campaign for a healthcare super product. As part of that campaign, you mail postcards describing the benefits of the product along with ordering instructions.

Customers have complained that the product does not work. It has no perceivable value, and they lost their money. This is what sparked a federal investigation into the possibility of mail fraud.

Drug trafficking versus distribution charges

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Monday, August 19, 2019.

While certain areas around the country work to decriminalize the use of marijuana, there are still certain drug activities deemed unacceptable across the board. The distribution of drugs is one of them.

For those caught in such interactions, facing drug charges is quite frightening. There are a few things to understand about such charges, particularly the differences between drug trafficking and distribution.

Understanding key terms of drug charges

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Friday, August 16, 2019.

Facing drug charges is a serious matter. Depending upon the charge, the accused party may face serious fines and possible jail time upon a conviction.

Part of developing a strong defense is fully understanding what the charges mean. There are a few key terms that parties should know regarding drug charges.

Can a prosecutor make your spouse testify against you?

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Monday, July 15, 2019.

You rely on your husband or wife for a variety of things. Not only does your spouse provide you with companionship, but he or she also helps you work through difficult problems. Nonetheless, your spouse can probably only provide good guidance if he or she has information about the situation. If you talk to your partner about criminal conduct, though, you may wonder if prosecutors can require your spouse to testify against you.

Few other relationships in society are as important and valuable as the marital union. As such, Texas law generally protects the communications you have with your spouse. Of course, there are many exceptions. If you think you are about to face criminal prosecution, you should understand marital privilege.

Understanding wire fraud charges

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

Wire fraud is a criminal offense involving the intentional and voluntary use of an interstate communications device to defraud another party of anything of value. This is a federal crime that can come with serious penalties, including a $250,000 fine, 20 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.

It is important for anyone under investigation or facing charges for wire fraud to understand the elements of and possible defenses to this crime.

Avoid prison in Texas

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Monday, May 20, 2019.

Incarceration is a fact of life in America, and Texas is certainly no exception. If you face a criminal charge that could end in a jail sentence, you should probably take the possibility of prison time seriously. Those who do not do so and assume that a judge will not put them in prison could be headed for an unfortunate surprise. Only a structured criminal defense has the best chance to minimize the consequences of any given charge.

The statistics for incarceration are sobering. According to the Texas Tribune, there are 107 prison units in the state with a total of almost 140,000 inmates. That is about half a percent of the entire population of the state. Furthermore, there is a heavier representation of certain crimes in the prison system in others, such as burglary and possession of controlled substances.

Know your rights when authorities stop or try to search you

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Friday, May 17, 2019.

As someone who has dealt with law enforcement officers one or more times during your life, you may have firsthand knowledge of the stresses that can come with doing so. Failing to understand your full legal rights has the potential to lead to considerable and serious trouble, so the more you understand about your rights, the better your chances of staying out of the criminal justice system.

So, what can you do to protect yourself in the event that authorities attempt to stop your car, search you or place you under arrest?