Free Consultations936-647-1540
Recent Blog Posts
Defense Against Aggravated Sexual Assault in Texas
Under Texas Penal Code Section 22.021, aggravated sexual assault is a felony with severe penalties upon conviction. The stigma is immediate, and the consequences of a conviction can last a lifetime. But being charged does not mean you will be convicted. An experienced attorney can walk you through the available legal defenses. The strength of your defense depends heavily on acting quickly and working with an attorney who understands how these cases are built and how they can be challenged. Our Conroe, TX sexual assault defense lawyers know how much is at stake and can help you understand your options from day one.
What Makes a Sexual Assault Charge "Aggravated" in Texas?
It helps to understand what separates a sexual assault charge from an aggravated sexual assault charge, because the aggravating factors are often part of what a defense attorney will examine most closely.
When Does Self-Defense Fail as a Legal Strategy in Texas?
Self-defense is one of the most commonly used defenses in Texas criminal cases. However, it does not work in every situation. Texas law gives people the right to protect themselves, but that right has clear limits. When those limits are crossed, a self-defense claim can fall apart in court and leave the defendant in a much worse position. If you are facing charges in 2026 and thinking about self-defense as part of your case, our Montgomery County, TX criminal defense lawyers can help you honestly look at whether it applies and how strong it really is.
What Does Texas Law Say About Self-Defense?
Texas has some of the broadest self-defense laws in the country. Under Texas Penal Code § 9.31, a person is justified in using force when they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to protect themselves from another person's unlawful force. Texas also has the Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground law, which means you generally do not have to retreat before using force in a place where you have a legal right to be.
What Happens After the Court of Appeals Affirms a Texas Conviction?
Hearing that a court of appeals has affirmed a conviction can feel like the door is closing for good. After months or even years of waiting, that ruling can be devastating. But an affirmance from the court of appeals is not the final word. There are still legal avenues available, and some of them carry real potential to change the outcome. If you are in this situation, a Conroe, TX appeals lawyer can help you understand what options remain and whether pursuing them makes sense for your case.
What Does It Mean When a Court of Appeals Affirms a Conviction in Texas?
When a Texas court of appeals affirms a conviction, it means the court reviewed the trial record and found no error serious enough to overturn the verdict or order a new trial. The conviction stands. The sentence remains in effect.
What Happens if Your Article 11.07 Writ Is Denied?
If your Article 11.07 writ is denied, it means the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has decided not to grant relief based on your habeas corpus application. This can feel discouraging and overwhelming, especially if you were hoping this would correct a wrongful conviction or unfair outcome. However, a denial does not always mean your legal options are over.
As of 2026, Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure remains the main way to challenge a felony conviction after direct appeals have ended. Our Conroe, TX criminal appeals lawyers can help you understand what the denial means and whether you still have options.
What Is an Article 11.07 Writ in Texas?
An Article 11.07 writ is a type of habeas corpus application used to challenge a felony conviction after sentencing. Habeas corpus allows you to argue that your conviction or imprisonment violated your legal or constitutional rights.
How Does the Parole Process Work?
As of 2026, the parole process in Texas allows some incarcerated individuals to be released before completing their full prison sentence. Parole is not automatic, and approval is never guaranteed. In 2025, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles reported an overall parole approval rate of about 39.08 percent, showing that many cases are denied even after review.
Each case is reviewed carefully, based on specific rules and risk factors. If you or a loved one is facing parole review, speaking with our Texas parole lawyers can help you better understand what to expect and how the system works.
What Is Parole in Texas?
Parole is a conditional release from prison. Someone who is granted parole serves the remainder of their sentence in the community instead of behind bars.
What Is the Stand Your Ground Law in Texas?
Most Texans have heard of Stand Your Ground. They’ve seen the news stories, heard the debates, maybe even argued about it at a barbecue. But when it actually matters, when someone is facing criminal charges after defending themselves, the details become critical.
Texas's Stand Your Ground law determines whether you had the legal right to use force, including deadly force, in a specific situation. Getting it wrong doesn't just mean losing an argument. It means potentially facing years in prison for what you believed was lawful self-defense. If you've been charged after defending yourself or your property, our Montgomery County criminal defense lawyers can evaluate whether Stand Your Ground protections apply to your case.
What Does Stand Your Ground Mean Under Texas Law?
Texas doesn't actually use the phrase "Stand Your Ground" anywhere in its laws. The concept comes from self-defense statutes that remove the duty to retreat in certain situations. Put simply, you're not legally required to run away before defending yourself. However, this only applies if you had a right to be where you were, and you didn't provoke the situation.
The 2255 Savings Clause: When Can Federal Prisoners Use 2241?
Federal prisoners often believe they can challenge their convictions through a "back door" when a Section 2255 motion is either barred or denied because of the "savings clause." In truth, the savings clause is far more restrictive than you may think. Following the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Jones v. Hendrix, the savings clause has become one of the narrowest and most misunderstood avenues for post-conviction relief.
Defendants who are navigating federal habeas must understand when the savings clause actually applies, when it does not, and how courts will treat any attempt to "repackage" a claim under Section 2241. If you are struggling with a Section 2255, it is essential that you have a knowledgeable Houston appeal lawyer as your legal advocate.
Texas Convictions After Rivers v. Guerrero: What You Must Know
The Supreme Court of the United States issued a unanimous decision in Rivers v. Guerrero on June 12, 2025. This decision clarified when a federal habeas corpus petition under the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 becomes a second or successive application under 28 U.S.C. Section 2244(b). This means that once a district court enters judgment on a first-filed Section 2254 petition, any later filing qualifies as a second or successive petition, regardless of whether an appeal of the first is pending.
This decision is significant in the state of Texas when a state-convicted petitioner is seeking federal collateral relief. Under the new decision, the filing of new claims via a separate petition mid-appeal may not be possible, significantly raising the stakes for first filings in the Fifth Circuit. Because appeals are so limited, yet so vitally important, you must have a highly experienced Texas appeals lawyer as your legal advocate.
Online Solicitation in Texas: Felony or Misunderstanding?
In today's digital world, a conversation that begins with texting or chat rooms can quickly escalate into criminal charges if law enforcement suspects that online solicitation has occurred. Texas has some of the most severe solicitation laws in the country, particularly as they pertain to minors. A single online message, often with no physical meeting or contact, can result in felony charges that can alter your life forever.
Regarding minors, Texas Statute Section 33.021 of the Penal Code governs online solicitation. Texas online solicitation laws changed significantly in September 2015, when the definition of a minor for online solicitation was updated, and the "fantasy defense" was allowed after a prior statute was found unconstitutional. Today, any adult aged 17 or older who intentionally uses electronic communication to engage in sexually explicit conduct with a minor or distribute sexually explicit material to a minor can be charged with online solicitation.
Parole Barriers to Employment in Texas
For those on parole, finding steady employment can be crucial to rebuilding and regaining their lives. Unfortunately, parole conditions (Title 4, Subtitle G, Chapter 508) and state regulations may place unexpected limits on the types of jobs parolees are allowed to accept. Beyond the obvious restrictions of working in childcare or law enforcement, some other occupations with hidden barriers can derail a job search.
Parolees who are expecting these restrictions can better avoid setbacks while planning for realistic job opportunities. Speaking to an experienced Austin, TX parole attorney can help you get on the right employment path early on in the process.
Why Does Employment Matter in Texas Parole Situations?
In many cases, finding and maintaining employment is a condition of parole, so the parolee has little input into whether or not employment is necessary. Failure to adhere to the condition of maintaining employment can lead to a parole violation and even revocation of parole. Both the parole board and the state of Texas believe holding down a job plays a crucial role in the parole process for the following reasons:
Questions? We Are Here to Help.
Fill out our contact form below or give our team a call at 936-647-1540.
The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.
I have read and understand the Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.
Office Location
From our office in Conroe, Texas, we provide representation for clients in communities throughout Montgomery County, including Magnolia, Pinehurst, Montgomery, Panorama Village, Willis, Splendora, Patton Village, New Caney, Porter, and The Woodlands, as well as other areas surrounding Houston, including Spring, Katy, Richmond, Friendswood, Galveston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Galveston County. We also represent clients throughout the state of Texas, including San Antonio and Bexar County, San Marcos and Hays County, Austin and Travis County, Georgetown and Williamson County, Dallas and Dallas County, Waco, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Abilene, Temple-Killeen, Forth Worth, Midland-Odessa, Lubbock, Tyler, and Tarrant County, and Denton and Denton County.
*Our firm does not handle ICE cases or federal detention cases.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
908 N San Jacinto St., Conroe, TX 77301
936-647-1540
