JoAnne Musick

joannemusick

Novelties, Brass Knuckles and Juveniles: What You Need to Know

Brass knuckles are just one of the weapons that is prohibited in Texas. For that matter, brass or not, the knuckles are prohibited. Why then do so many students get arrested with them? Kids are getting arrested, rather frequently, in schools with brass knuckles. Of course, the kids aren’t really even sure they are knuckles […]

Novelties, Brass Knuckles and Juveniles: What You Need to Know Read More »

Can My Client be Impeached with Prior Juvenile Adjudications?

Well, generally, no, but it depends. (Don’t you just love that answer!) Texas Rules of Evidence, Rule 609(a) speaks generally to impeachment with criminal convictions. Juvenile adjudications are not criminal convictions, and are therefore, generally not admissible for impeachment purposes. Rule 609(d) specifically addresses juvenile adjudications: (d) Juvenile Adjudications. Evidence of a juvenile adjudication is

Can My Client be Impeached with Prior Juvenile Adjudications? Read More »

Right to Bear Stun Guns

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a Massachusetts woman just might have a 2nd Amendment right to carry a stun gun. She was originally arrested, charged, and convicted of carrying a stun gun in violation of Massachusetts’s law. All agreed she bought and carried the stun gun for protection from her abusive ex-boyfriend. The Court,

Right to Bear Stun Guns Read More »

Unforeseen Consequences

Criminal convictions have intended consequences. They carry punishments that include life and liberty. Convictions can cause someone to be jailed for a period of time. They can cause payment of fines and participation in rehabilitative programs. But what happens when the punishment is over? After the punishment comes the collateral consequences – the unforeseen consequences

Unforeseen Consequences Read More »