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...

According to research, 59% of Americans  have fallen victim to cybercrime at some point. Cybercrime refers to any criminal activity performed using the web. Examples include identity theft, phishing attacks, vishing attacks, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, ransomware attacks, website spoofing, malware, IoT hacking, cyberstalking, cyber grooming, cyber bullying, internet fraud, online job fraud, hacking/misuse of computer networks, among many others. In this article, we’ll walk you through the three most common types of cybercrime and their penalties in Texas. Keep reading. 1. Illegally Accessing a Network or Computer If a person illegally accesses a computer network without the permission of the owner and doesn’t cause any damage to the network or steal information, they’re charged with a Class B misdemeanor . A conviction can result in up to 180 days in prison and a maximum fine of $2,000. If there is damage or money is stolen, the crime increases to a first-degree f...

Under Texas law (penal code 22.04), child abuse/neglect  is defined as mental, emotional, or physical injury to a child that impairs their development, growth, or psychological functioning. This definition is very broad. For example, if you place a child in an abusive situation, you’re committing child abuse. If you fail to remove a child from an abusive situation, you’re also committing child abuse. Other examples of child abuse include intentionally neglecting to provide food, clothing, shelter, and medical care to the child, engaging in or promoting any type of sexual activity involving the child, and administering a controlled substance (not prescribed by a licensed physician) that affects the child’s physical or mental state. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the charges for child abuse/neglect. Keep reading. 1.  The Penalties   Generally, anyone under the age of 17 is considered a child. However, if the victim is under the age of 14 and the perpetrator co...

Considered one of the most serious drug crimes in Texas, drug trafficking  can put you behind bars for a long time. Whether you’re caught manufacturing, delivering, or possessing an illegal drug with the intent to deliver, you will be arrested for drug trafficking. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the penalties for this crime. As you’ll notice, drug trafficking charges are directly proportional to the type of drug and the amount that’s involved. Hire a qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney who understands drug trafficking laws to build a strong case with the goal of protecting your future and freedom. Substances in Penalty Group 1 Under Texas law, the following drug trafficking charges are imposed if a person is caught trafficking Substances in Penalty Group 1: cocaine, oxycodone, heroin, opium, methadone, ketamine, GHB, methamphetamine, and GHB, among others: ·  Trafficking <1 g of drugs: State jail felony punishable by 180 days to 2 years in pris...

Wrongful arrests violate a person’s constitutional civil rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. These Amendments protect citizens like you from unreasonable seizures and the deprivation of your rights in the absence of due process. An estimated 2,800+ people  are wrongfully convicted in the US each year. But in actuality, experts say that the number could be much higher. A wrongful arrest/conviction  doesn’t just affect the trajectory of your life. It also affects your loved ones and fractures the foundation of the lives that depend on them. You may feel panicked if you were recently apprehended for a crime you didn’t commit. What will happen now? Will you end up in prison? Or will your innocence be proven in court? For starters, hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can provide you with the representation you need to increase your chances of getting the justice you deserve. Their expertise will ultimately determine the path of your case. In the meantime,...

In DWI cases , the officer will gather evidence in the form of video from the patrol vehicle dashcam and the officer’s bodycam, as well as chemical tests that measure blood alcohol content (BAC) levels in your breath and blood. Most people understand the flaws of roadside field sobriety tests and how they are “rigged” to make you look intoxicated when, in fact, you may be hindered from performing those physical tests by a medical condition or lack of physical coordination.   The chemical tests can be equally inaccurate considering the breath test (Intoxilyzer 9000) is not warranted for use as a breath testing device in DWI cases  and the blood test may be conducted with contaminated blood or a faulty sample. Lab errors occur all the time in DWI cases. Here are some issues you and your attorney should consider when it comes to BAC testing and lab results: 1. Breath-Testing Is Flawed Most DWI breath tests in Texas are conducted using the Intoxilyzer 9000, which has a number...