As a takeoff from my presentation today at Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association’s Defending Juveniles, I wanted to share an outline of how to approach advising your juvenile client to plea or not to plea. What is a Plea? In this context, a “plea” is similar to a plea-bargain in a criminal case. A “plea” […]
To Plea or Not to Plea? Read More »
How long must someone be punished for a criminal act? When is that person’s debt to society ever forgiven? In Texas, it’s a lifetime debt. Convictions for criminal acts (from a class B possession of marijuana to murder) will always remain a part of a person’s criminal record. Criminal records are available online and forever.
Maybe you have been following the David Temple case. Maybe you haven’t. In short, David Temple was convicted of killing his wife in a totally circumstantial cold case prosecuted by Kelly Siegler, former Harris County Assistant District Attorney turned semi-celebrity on TNT’s Cold Justice. In case you hadn’t followed the events here is what you
Looking for the Truth Shouldn’t Cost Friendships Read More »
Sadly, many people do. Samuel Gross, a law professor at the University of Michigan and editor of the National Register of Exonerations writes: In the past year, 45 defendants were exonerated after pleading guilty to low-level drug crimes in Harris County, Tex. They were cleared months or years after conviction by lab tests that found
Why Would You Plead Guilty to a Crime You Didn’t Commit? Read More »
Lawyers advise clients. Lawyers speak for clients. Lawyers do not give up their clients. Defense lawyers do not help the government. Criminal defense lawyer Norm Pattis hits the nail on the head and started me thinking about the duty a lawyer owes to his client. Norm tells the story of a client who is wanted
Should your lawyer turn you over to the government? Read More »
Despite the fact that most juvenile delinquency cases center upon what would otherwise be criminal law violations, the terminology used in the courtroom is somewhat different than what you hear in criminal matters. This is because “juvenile law” is a mixture of both criminal and family law principles and procedures. Here is a small sample
Juvenile Terminology Basics Read More »
Client communication is key! You must communicate with your client regularly so that they will know what is happening and so that you can answer any questions they have. Because criminal lawyers spend a great deal of time communicating in person (with frequent court settings, visits at the jail, telephone calls, etc.) you end up
How Do You Reinforce Information for Your Client? Read More »
What does your client expect? Knowing what she expects can help you meet those expectations. Knowing what she expects can help you redirect those expectations when they are unrealistic. Communication is key in this regard. When you first meet a potential client, it is important that you ask her what she expects. Does she expect
Managing Client Expectations Read More »
