Waco Texas Legal Blog

New Texas laws cause confusion regarding hemp products

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law posted in Drug Crimes on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

Drug crimes in Texas were relatively easy to understand for decades. But now, updates to state laws have led to confusion. There have even been documented cases of people facing charges for a violation that turned out to be a legal substance. It's important to know the effects of new laws on potential criminal charges.

One of the key issues is the difference between three different products derived from the cannabis plant. Hemp is now a legal product, used in applications from skin salves to twine. But it is difficult to distinguish from marijuana because it is nearly identical in appearance and smell. The legal difference is the content of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical in marijuana that is psychoactive.

Texas charges dismissed over failed identification of drugs

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

Have you ever faced criminal charges when you are sure you didn't commit a crime? This terrifying situation is a reality for many people in Texas every day, and they all have one thing in common. An attorney can help them defend themselves.

A man driving a truck full of plant material was recently arrested on suspicion of carrying more than 3,000 pounds of marijuana. The 39-year-old faced federal charges based on the size of the haul and the supposed attempt to distribute a narcotic. But that was never the case.

Wrongful death lawsuit asks questions of intentional injury

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

We almost all experience some sort of injury or pain as we move and grow through life. Perhaps it was a bad fall or an incident in a sports game. Most of the time, we can move past the cause and focus on getting better. But, sometimes, it is difficult because someone else may have caused the situation in which we find ourselves.

This is why the civil court system in Texas and many other states offers the option for a lawsuit regarding personal injury or wrongful death. If an injured person or the survivors of the victim of a fatal accident feel that someone may have been to blame, they deserve the chance to claim financial damages to help with recovery.

Do you know the difference between burglary and theft in Texas?

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

There are many kinds of property and theft crimes, which can leave people feeling confused about what legal terms actually refer to. Theft itself is an umbrella term that refers to the inappropriate or illegal acquisition of an asset. Multiple kinds of theft crimes take place in Texas every day.

Shoplifting, also known as retail fraud, occurs when someone goes into a business and engages in one of many practices intended to deprive the company of the full value of items they sell. From taking items out of the store without paying for them to swapping labels, there are many forms of shoplifting.

When is drug trafficking a federal offense?

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law posted in federal criminal defense on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

To be as clear and frank as possible, any offense involving illegal drugs and substances is a very troubling matter. Charges involving drugs of any kind in the state of Texas requires immediate legal assistance from an experienced attorney. Ignoring the matter or simply hoping for a good outcome is a poor defense against a conviction.

With that out of the way, trafficking drugs is a crime under federal and state law. How the authorities choose to prosecute these crimes depends on several factors such as the type and quantity of the illegal substance. If you are facing trafficking charges, it is wise to seek help from a lawyer experienced with federal criminal defense. This will ensure that you are well-prepared to protect your freedom if the authorities decide to make it a federal case.

What is the difference between aggravated assault and assault?

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law posted in felonies & violent crimes on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

The first thing you need to know is that any allegations centered on felonies and violent crimes require a serious response on your behalf. If convicted on crimes such as battery, aggravated assault, or more seriously, murder, you will face catastrophic consequences. This will affect you, but it will also affect your family.

With that said, assault and aggravated assault are similar offenses in the state of Texas, but they do have several important differences. Before going forward, you should understand that an attorney can help you protect yourself against such allegations.

Drug crimes: Is marijuana possession still illegal in Texas?

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, November 21, 2019.

Many states in the nation have adopted a progressive and tolerant attitude about the use and possession of marijuana. However, several other states still outlaw this substance in most scenarios. All residents need to understand that it is still an illegal substance in Texas and that if caught with marijuana, they could face an arrest and possible conviction on drug crimes.

The following information can help you understand the state's approach to drug crimes involving marijuana. It is also crucial to understand that you will benefit greatly from a strong defense if the authorities arrest you for cannabis possession.

At this time, it is a misdemeanor to possess 4 or less ounces of marijuana.
Possessing between 4 ounces and 5 pounds of the substance is a felony offense that could lead to jail time.
Possessing between 5 and 2,000 pounds of marijuana is a very serious felony offense that could result in significant penalties.
Those caught with more than 2,000 pounds could face prison for up to 99 years as well as a $50,000 fine.

Criminal defense: A kidnapping charge may mean harsh consequences

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law posted in criminal defense on Thursday, November 7, 2019.

Both the citizens of Texas and law enforcement personnel consider kidnapping to be a particularly heinous crime. This is so even when a parent takes their child out of fear for their safety. You can bet that if the authorities arrest you and charge you with kidnapping, the prosecution will work very hard to secure a conviction.

Texas lawmakers define kidnapping as the unlawful and purposeful abduction of another individual. It does not matter if the person taken is a child or an adult. The consequences upon conviction will be the same, and they will be quite significant. Without a proper criminal defense, a defendant may face time in prison as well as a costly fine.

Can you use education to deter gun violence?

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law posted in Personal Injury on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

In the last several years, reports of gun violence in Texas and all around the nation seem to be growing at an unsettling rate. What may come as a concern to parents like yourself is the chance that your child is involved in a shooting of some kind. Teaching your children about the dangers of guns and educating them about the proper use and purpose of a gun is critical to keeping them away from any interest in using a gun for the wrong reason.

If you or someone in your family owns guns, you can put restrictions on when and where they are used, implement security measures to ensure they are stored and secured properly and teach your children about the importance of handling a gun responsibly. However, it is equally as important to have educational discussions about the negative consequences of guns when they are not used for their intended purpose. Conversations about such a sensitive topic should be taken seriously and you should ensure that your content is fitting for the ages of your children.

Restitution is a secondary risk for those convicted in Texas

On behalf of Russell D. Hunt Sr., Attorney at Law on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

Facing criminal charges in Texas can be incredibly expensive. You may have to pay for an attorney, as well as for court fees, even if you avoid conviction. If you wind up convicted, there could be even more expenses. A conviction could result in thousands of dollars in fines and fees depending on the criminal charges you face.

There is yet another potential expense that many people don't consider when facing criminal charges in Texas. If the charges stem from a situation that left a victim with either injuries or property damage, the courts could order you to pay restitution to the victim. Depending on the specifics of the case, that restitution could be thousands of dollars.