JL Carpenter Law

This holiday season, if you plan to decorate your house with Christmas garlands, wreaths, ornaments, candles, Santa Claus figures, wall décor, lights, and gnomes, you should be familiar with local laws regarding decorations. Families across Texas have similar plans, and we’re excited to watch local neighborhoods come to life! However, your Christmas decorations can  get you in legal trouble. In this article, we’ll discuss three scenarios that can make things difficult for you. 1. Homeowners Association (HOA) The HOA  is an organization in a community, subdivision, or condo complex that enforces certain rules. If you live in a neighborhood with a strict HOA, your Christmas decorations could get you in trouble at some point. Most HOAs will send you a notice outlining the violation and giving you the opportunity to either take it down or modify it into compliance. It’s when homeowners ignore or outright defy the notice that they get into trouble. When you buy a home in such a nei...

Is it the most wonderful time of the year or the most dangerous  time of the year? According to Dr. Janet Lauritsen, a criminal justice and criminology professor at the University of Missouri, the crime rate in most cities increases  during the holidays. Three crimes are committed more than usual: drunk driving, theft, and cybercrime. In this article, we’ll look closely at these crimes and understand why they increase abnormally during the holidays. If you need legal help, we’ll also direct you to a qualified and competent criminal defense attorney in the Greater Houston area. 1. Drunk Driving As people attend holiday parties with family, friends, and coworkers, they unwisely think that they can drink and drive. This causes a spike in drunk driving  arrests. Most DWI arrests during the holidays take place at night from Thursday to Saturday, when parties are held. If you’re going to attend a holiday party and you’re driving, drink responsibly. But to avoid getting arrested...