In an era where technology evolves faster than legislation, deepfake porn is a pressing issue that has garnered lawmakers’ attention. In 2023, Texas enacted a law specifically targeting deepfake pornography, and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has proposed federal legislation that expands protections for victims and increases penalties for perpetrators, including juveniles. Melania Trump has now … Read more
On April 2, 2025, a devastating incident during a high school track meet in Frisco left a community in mourning and raised difficult questions about youth violence and the fragile line between rivalry and real-life consequences. Austin Metcalf, 17, a student-athlete at Frisco Memorial High School, was fatally stabbed in the chest in front of … Read more
What is Fentanyl Murder? Fentanyl murder is defined in Texas Penal Code 19.02(b)4 and refers to the criminal charge arising out of the delivery or manufacturing of fentanyl that results in a death. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be fatal even in small doses. Why Did the Fentanyl Murder Statute Become Law? The … Read more
Criminal solicitation of a minor is a serious offense in Texas, and it happens more often than many realize. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors aggressively pursue these cases, particularly when they involve violent crimes, sexual offenses, or human trafficking. Even a mere request or suggestion—without any action taken by the minor—can be enough to result … Read more
A Shift from Departures to Variances Under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) On December 19, 2024, the United States Sentencing Commission (the “Commission”) proposed a transformative amendment to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual (“Guidelines”), marking what could be the most significant overhaul since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in United States v. Booker , 543 U.S. … Read more
Cite and Release is a law enforcement policy where officers can issue citations (similar to traffic tickets) instead of making arrests for certain low-level offenses, requiring the person to appear in court at a later date rather than going to jail immediately. In other words, individuals can be charged with certain offenses without being arrested … Read more
A person’s home is their sanctuary—a place where they’re supposed to feel safe and protected. When that sense of security is shattered by an intruder, the consequences can be severe. Texas law takes home invasions extremely seriously, treating them as violent felonies with some of the harshest penalties in the country. Texas home invasion charges … Read more
If you’ve paid attention to the news lately, you may have seen the controversy surrounding the Sally Mann exhibition at the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth. Mann is one of the most famous photographers of her generation, but some elected officials have suggested some images in her Diaries of Home exhibition depicting nude children … Read more
On February 3, 2025, a Tarrant County jury acquitted a Fort Worth man accused of murder in the fatal stabbing of his friend, finding he acted in self-defense. Jurors in Judge Lee Gabriel’s court deliberated less than three hours before clearing Juan Ramos Escamilla of all charges related to the death of his friend, Augustine … Read more
