Individuals in the U.S. are protected from unreasonable searches, but there are rules that allow officers to conduct certain types of searches in specific situations. When it comes to physically searching a person's body, the process can seem very invasive. Officers...
Understanding your rights during a traffic stop
Most people suffer anxiety when they are stopped by the police. To help enforce your safety from criminal charges it is essential to be informed of your legal rights during a traffic stop. Field sobriety testing, chemical tests, and your legal rights are three...
Accused of wrongdoing? Be wary of social media
If you have been charged with a crime – or you’re aware that you’re under investigation because law enforcement officers suspect that you’ve engaged in criminal activity – it is very important to act as if your actions are being scrutinized at virtually all times....
Can law enforcement search your home?
You were sitting at home minding your own business when there was a knock at the door. To your surprise, it is the police. They claim that they would like to come in and talk to you about an incident that occurred a few days ago. They suggest that they would like to...
Do the police have a right to search your drink containers?
Using a personal drink container on your outings saves money and reduces waste. Although they are convenient and popular, the police know that reusable containers sometimes hide secrets. During DUI traffic stops, police officers may request or perhaps even demand to...
When are police not allowed to search your vehicle?
Texas residents who get stopped by police might initially feel confused or scared. It’s important to know when police officers cannot search your vehicle if you are ever pulled over. No probable cause Police officers are required to have probable cause to search a...
What to know about talking to the police
There is a chance that Texas police may one day want to talk to you as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. This may be true even if authorities have no reason to believe that you actually committed a crime. In some cases, it may be in your best interest to...
When can the police use a dog during a traffic stop?
If you are stopped by the police, one thing you should be aware of is that there may be a police dog on site, too. In some cases, the police will bring out the dog to sniff around a vehicle during a routine traffic stop. Some people may feel that this is invasive, but...
Do drug courts help offenders more than jail time?
When someone is convicted of a drug offense, the result can be fines, community service, probation and even jail time. Over time, professionals noticed that many offenders were serving their jail time, leaving and returning very quickly. Rather than continue a path...
Situations where police are permitted to search vehicles
The courts in Texas and around the country take the public's right to privacy seriously, and evidence gathered during searches that are deemed to have violated the Fourth Amendment cannot be used in court. Police officers are usually required to obtain a warrant or...