Breathalyzers are crucial in cases of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. But are they accurate? Can you get the wrong readings? The accuracy of breathalyzers has been questioned for years. So, how accurate are they now? They are accurate most of the time The technology of alcohol testing has improved substantially over the years with new procedures being introduced. Different methods are used to measure a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The police can perform a breath, blood or urine test.  A breath test is often used, as it can quickly be performed o ..read more

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees your protection against any kind of unreasonable search and seizure – but how far does this really extend? Most people don’t think that much about what they throw away – but your garbage can contain all kinds of evidence that could be used against you in a criminal trial. You may throw all kinds of things in your garbage assuming that it will be properly hauled away, never to see the light of day again. The police, however, may have other ideas – and the law is tilted in their favor. It all depends on where the trash is left In general ..read more

A lot of criminal activity results in multiple arrests. Whether it’s illegal drug use, a violent attack or “white collar” crime, like fraud, anywhere from a couple of people to a dozen or more can be arrested and charged with the same offense. In may be that, in reality, they had varying levels of participation in the crime – or none at all, in some cases. Sometimes, when multiple people are arrested together and charged with the same crime, prosecutors prefer to try them together. It can save time, manpower and resources. However, being tried alongside someone who had a more significant role ..read more

Miranda rights, a cornerstone of the American legal system, safeguard individuals during police interrogations. When law enforcement officers detain or arrest someone, they generally have to read the person their rights, including the right to remain silent. These rights are fundamental in ensuring that individuals aren’t compelled to become witnesses against themselves. Remembering these points when interacting with police while in custody, therefore, is crucial. Expressing the desire to remain silent To invoke the right to remain silent, individuals must explicitly state their intention to t ..read more

Advances in science have given investigators and prosecutors a lot of new tools over the years that can be used to put evidence in front of juries – but few things are so compelling to juries as evidence that contains genetic material (DNA). Today, even the smallest amounts of genetic material – in quantities too small to even be seen by the naked eye – can be tested. Unfortunately, this “trace DNA” can give misleading results that can be problematic in criminal cases. What is trace DNA? Trace DNA, also known as touch DNA, refers to the small amounts of genetic material left behind when indivi ..read more

The opioid crisis has taken overdose numbers to new levels across the country. Many states have introduced Good Samaritan laws to try and tackle this growing problem. Texas is known for taking a hardline on drug use, and its laws are not particularly understanding of those stuck in a cycle of drug addiction. Yet, in 2021, this state too introduced its version of a Good Samaritan law, albeit a more limited one than you’ll find in many other states. The Jessica Sosa Act The 2021 Jessica Sosa Act gives some people a defense to certain drug charges that result from a call to the emergency services ..read more

Like other states, Texas has been grappling with prevalent heroin and opioid addiction rates over the past several years. Because of the dangers of heroin addiction and abuse, the state criminalizes the possession or sale of that drug and enforces harsh penalties. People who are convicted of heroin offenses might face lengthy prison sentences, stiff fines, and collateral consequences. What are the Texas heroin laws? All drug charges involving heroin possession or sales are felony offenses in Texas. However, the degree of felony depends on the type of offense and the amount of heroin involved ..read more

If you are charged or convicted of a crime in Texas, you can face jail or prison time and a fine. However, even if you agree to a plea deal that allows you to avoid those consequences, you can still experience considerable damage to your personal and professional life. You can lose custody of your kids The law stipulates that the best interests of the children trump your needs or desires when it comes to parenting your kids. Therefore, if you are charged or convicted of a crime, a judge can decide to suspend or revoke some or all of your parental rights. This may be true even if you are charge ..read more

The Texas justice system strives to ensure the just and equitable handling of all cases within its jurisdiction. They employ almost every resource in their arsenal to achieve this, and it is a good thing. But one area that has brought the integrity of their system into question is the use of eyewitness testimony. Understanding eyewitness testimony Eyewitness testimony is a form of evidence where a person who witnessed a crime or event testifies about what they saw. Usually, the criminal law court will call upon the eyewitness to give a firsthand account of what happened during the hearing afte ..read more

Universities aim to provide students with research and critical thinking skills. They want to encourage young adults to become active in their communities and to take a role in shaping the future. Regardless of someone’s major, a student at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) will hopefully learn about how to evaluate sources of information and about their civil rights as their educational opportunities evolve. One of the most important ways for young adults and others concerned about world affairs to involve themselves is through public protest. Large gatherings of like-minded indiv ..read more