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A friend of mine, whom I trusted, stole my motorcycle while I was sleeping. I have video evidence of the incident. I have not yet reported it to the police. What steps should I take to recover my motorcycle and address this legally?
answered on Mar 19, 2025
You need to notify law enforcement as soon as possible, give the investigating officers the videotape, and file a police report. It is likely your friend will claim to have had your permission to use your motorcycle. So be very clear and very consistent with police that you never gave your friend... View More 
I have a failure to appear warrant from New York related to an assault accusation, which arose from a self-defense situation. The warrant showed up during a background check. I am currently in Texas and have had no contact with any legal representation or officials in New York. Can I resolve this... View More
answered on Mar 18, 2025
You need to hire a criminal defense lawyer in New York in or near the county from where the warrant was issued. Depending upon the nature of the charges and the status of the warrant, you may or may not be able to handle the warrant from Texas. That lawyer will probably need to do a little... View More
I've been charged with possession of over 400 grams of drugs found in a truck that wasn't mine. The owner of the truck promised to take responsibility for the drugs, which belong to him, but he hasn't come forward, and now all three of us are charged. I've spent $10k on bond and... View More
answered on Mar 18, 2025
You should contact your lawyer's office to schedule a time to review the discovery and to discuss your case in greater depth with your lawyer. You should send your lawyer's office complete contact information for your witness including the witness's physical residence address, work... View More
I was placed on a three-year probation in 2019 for intent to distribute and possession of marijuana. I left the country in May 2022 to get clean, while still on probation. I'm not aware of any legal proceedings or actions taken since I left. Can I return to the U.S.?
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answered on Mar 14, 2025
You likely have a motion to revoke pending and a warrant. Assuming this is Texas, if the State proceeds on the motion to revoke and the judge grants the motion, you will not be able to be extended, and the judge can only deny the State's motion or to sentence you to at least the minimum range... View More
I was arrested for aggravated sexual assault based on accusations from someone unknown to me. I have had no previous interactions with law enforcement related to this crime. Currently, I am in county jail with a very high bond, and I have been told I can't get legal representation. What should... View More
answered on Mar 12, 2025
You have a right to legal representation, though you may not qualify for a court-appointed attorney/public defender. In that case, you will need to hire a private criminal defense attorney. Obviously, a charge of aggravated sexual assault is extremely serious and carries the penalty of decades in... View More
I moved in with three friends as roommates, and we all contributed equally to the down payment and first month's rent. However, due to my record, they asked me not to be on the lease to avoid issues in obtaining the house. After four months, my roommates decided to change the rent due date and... View More
answered on Mar 12, 2025
No it is not legal and may constitute theft although I doubt police will be much help or that criminal charges will be filed.
You can probably sue your roommates for the fair market value of the items they took. If you did not ultimately pay your share of the rent owed on the date you... View More
I need help understanding how charges of terroristic threats against my husband can be dropped. He has severe medical issues affecting his mental state. He was admitted to UTMB with septic emboli and other complications. He left the hospital while paranoid and irrational, and after being found in a... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2025
Your husband is facing current legal issues regarding the terroristic threat-- it sounds like charges have been filed against him and a warrant has issued for his arrest. Those legal issues need to be handled by a criminal defense attorney because there are overwhelming credibility concerns at play... View More
I was arrested after an officer checked my ID and confirmed there were no warrants. I was told I had to stay for a state trooper to conduct an accident report, which never happened. I was later taken to jail for a warrant that the officers didn’t understand or have details about. They... View More
answered on Mar 9, 2025
I do believe that your arrest was unlawful, if there are no other facts applicable to the interaction and arrest.
In Texas, an arrest of an individual, without a warrant, is presumed to be unlawful. This presumption, is triggered in a criminal court case, when the accused files a Motion... View More
I was arrested after an officer checked my ID and confirmed there were no warrants. I was told I had to stay for a state trooper to conduct an accident report, which never happened. I was later taken to jail for a warrant that the officers didn’t understand or have details about. They... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2025
If there was in fact no warrant, it seems likely that your arrest was illegal. If there was in fact a warrant, then it is likely your arrest was legal.
It is not required that the officers "understand" the warrant or "have details about" it. It is not dispositive that... View More
Earlier this year, a friend loaned me his truck for about two weeks to assist with my move out of state. During this time, the truck got reported as stolen. The friend mentioned in a statement that a welder went missing four days before he let me borrow the truck, and there are text messages where... View More
answered on Mar 8, 2025
The trouble is that you pled guilty in OK. I'm assuming that you pled because you got 19 months of probation. The fact that you said you were guilty, makes it easy for the Prosecutor to prove the same case when you went over the border into Texas.
You do list some compelling facts... View More
My grandma, who is the registered owner of a vehicle, wants to drop charges for the unauthorized use of her vehicle. The car was initially reported in Illinois but was later recovered in Texas, where charges were filed. Since no case is pending in Illinois, who should we contact to drop the charges... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
If the charges for unlawful use in TX involve a car accident, a death, or some other extra charge or bad issue, dropping the charges will not be easy. Here in Texas, most District Attorney offices are tough on dropping felony charges. Unauthorized use of a car, boat, or airplane, is a State Jail... View More
If I receive a blue warrant in Texas while on parole, will the warrant be lifted upon my discharge?
answered on Mar 6, 2025
If you mean discharge from parole, you should be OK once your Parole/Sentence has ended. The only way I would be worried for you is if the Blue Warrant you mention, is based upon a new criminal charge or Indictment.
You would probably know best on that subject.
Good Luck!
I hope this helps.
I am currently on probation in Walker County but report to Montgomery County. My probation has been revoked due to receiving two new felony drug possession charges in Montgomery County. I have a criminal record mostly consisting of charges without convictions. What are possible outcomes to my... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2025
1. Your probation may be revoked and you will have to serve your sentence.
2. The terms of your probation may be modified, but you will remain on probation.
3. The motion to revoke will be denied and there will be no changes to the terms of your probation.
I was pulled over for expired registration and gave consent for a car search, during which two different narcotics were found. I was alone in the car, had been informed of my rights, and was arrested for driving with a license invalid (DWLI) before the search. Given that I didn't claim the... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2025
It depends on your relationship with the car and where the drugs were found. If the drugs were found in the trunk and you borrowed the car from someone else, I like your chances. If they were found in plain sight in the passenger compartment, you own the car, and no one else was with you,... View More
I need legal advice for my husband, a senior citizen currently in jail in Texas for a first-time family violence charge. A bond is set, but I cannot get him out as I am considered the victim, despite not needing a no-contact order, which is in place. His only prior is a drug charge from over 20... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2025
You need a lawyer to help you. His dementia can definitely cause erratic behavior and aggressive behavior. If you have any doctors notes or reports stating his status with dementia, that would go a long way with a judge. I would like to know what county you are in and which judge you have.... View More
I am on probation in Waco, Texas. My probation officer calls instead of knocking on the door for verification of my presence at home. There have been times when I did not hear the phone – once while in the shower and another time while sleeping – which led to consequences. Is this form of... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2025
Your PO can call you anytime. They can check on you every day if they feel it is necessary to do so. Most people on probation would prefer a call instead of a home visit.
If you think the calls will continue, then I suggest you get a phone with a loud ringer and vibrator. There is also a... View More
I have been married to a U.S. citizen for four years and am currently living in the U.S. without legal status. I have a misdemeanor on my record, and my wife has a felony conviction from 1999. We have not started the immigration process yet. Can I still fix my immigration status and obtain legal... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2025
It depends what the misdemeanor is for, and it also depends on if you entered the United States with permission. If you entered the United States with permission, then you will be able to adjust status and if the misdemeanor is for something very minor, you probably won’t have to file a 601... View More
I would like to know what potential sentence my husband might face. He is awaiting trial after being charged with murder. The incident involved a person repeatedly ramming his car. My husband shot the person in self-defense, but did not initially report the incident to the police and was later... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
Your husband is facing life/99 years in prison. "Self defense" is an affirmative defense, meaning it needs to be plead and proven. The stakes are extremely high and the case will be particularly rough regarding your husband not proactively reporting the incident. He gets one shot at... View More
I would like to know what potential sentence my husband might face. He is awaiting trial after being charged with murder. The incident involved a person repeatedly ramming his car. My husband shot the person in self-defense, but did not initially report the incident to the police and was later... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
In Texas, murder is a first-degree felony offense. Your husband, if convicted, will then have to be sentenced within the range of punishment provided by law. The minimum sentence is 5 years imprisonment. The prison sentence can be as high as 99 years or for life. Additionally, he could be further... View More
I would like to know what potential sentence my husband might face. He is awaiting trial after being charged with murder. The incident involved a person repeatedly ramming his car. My husband shot the person in self-defense, but did not initially report the incident to the police and was later... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2025
You should absolutely research the court-appointed attorney to determine his/her experience handling murder cases and serious aggravated assault cases. If the attorney does not have much such experience, you need to hire a private attorney with such experience.
You should assume that the... View More
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