Before a suspect undergoes prosecution, a grand jury must decide that there is probable cause to file charges. Texas law grants defendants in felony cases the right to a grand jury hearing, but this is less beneficial than one might assume. It is a known fact that...
Avoid these 3 common medical billing mistakes
An allegation of health care fraud may lead to considerable legal implications . Many allegations of health care fraud arise because of billing errors, so recognizing where others have erred before you may help you avoid making similar mistakes yourself. What are some...
What does Texas consider a criminal conspiracy?
Charges of conspiracy to commit a crime can result in additional legal consequences beyond those for the crime itself. Frequently, clients are unaware they have engaged in conspiracy by Texas law. Review the state's definition of a conspiracy and the possible legal...
Will Federal Prisoners Be Released to Home Confinement in Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak?
On March 26, 2020, Attorney General William Barr sent a memorandum to the federal Bureau of Prisons to expand the use of home confinement as a response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in order to mitigate the spread of the virus in the country’s prison system and to...
Obstructing justice will complicate an embezzlement case
Embezzlement is a serious criminal offense under both federal and Texas state law. This crime typically occurs when someone uses his or her position to misappropriate funds. If you are facing criminal charges for embezzlement, it is critical that you defend yourself...
Gamble v. United States: Dual-Sovereignty Doctrine is Upheld
On June 17, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Gamble v. United States, refused to overturn the longstanding dual-sovereignty doctrine, an exception to the Constitution's double jeopardy clause, which allows a state to prosecute a defendant under state law even if the...
She’s Not Bluffing. Kim Ogg Calls Area Poker Clubs’ Bet their Operations are Legal
Two Houston area poker rooms and their owners have been called to show their legal cards in a fight to shut down their operations and convict their operators of felonies. Other area poker rooms are on notice - local law enforcement is betting they can shut down and...
Compounding Interest in Healthcare Fraud
Whether it is TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, regular reports from news outlets and press releases from the Department of Justice reveal that compounding pharmaceutical fraud is on the rise and likely to remain a focus of law enforcement for the...
What is the grand jury process in a criminal case?
A grand jury, which can consist of 16 to 23 people, does not decide issues of guilt or punishment. Rather, it decides whether the government should initiate an indictment or criminal charges against a particular defendant. Grand juries are used in cases of serious...
Identity theft: 3 facts to know
You were on a computer placing an order when you heard a knock on the door. Moments later, you found yourself being accused of stealing someone else's information to make your purchases. You only input information you had been given for your purchase, but you're...
