There is nothing that can ruin your day quite like being pulled over for a traffic stop and then being taken into police custody. That may sound like a far-off scenario that rarely, if ever, happens, but you would be surprised. There are many ways a routine traffic stop can lead to you spending the night or longer behind bars. Remember that the reason you get arrested may have nothing to do with the reason you were initially pulled over in the first place. 

This blog will look at common reasons why traffic stops may escalate into an arrest. If something like this has happened to you, consider contacting a skilled criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect your rights and freedom. 

In What Situations Can a Traffic Stop Turn into An Arrest?

When an officer pulls someone over for a routine traffic stop, it is essential to avoid verbalizing anything that a police officer may find offensive, unusual, or incriminating. Police officers are often on alert to find a reason to suspect you of wrongdoing.

In Texas, sex crimes are taken exceptionally seriously and, as a result, are aggressively prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is especially true for crimes such as aggravated sexual assault. Therefore, if you have been charged with aggravated sexual assault, you are in serious legal jeopardy. If you have found yourself in this unfortunate situation, contacting an experienced defense attorney is imperative if you want to keep your freedom and have a chance of avoiding prison. In this blog, we will delve deeper into what aggravated sexual assault is, what the penalties are, and what course of action you should consider taking to avoid being convicted.

What is Aggravated Sexual Assault? 

Under Texas law, aggravated sexual assault occurs when a person intentionally causes or threatens to cause harm to someone through means of a sexual attack. This sexual attack must include an aggravating factor. Several aggravating factors can escalate a charge of sexual assault to aggravated sexual assault.

Aggravating factors may include but are not limited to: 

In recent years, more and more people have become aware and taken issue with the high number of inmates currently serving time in the United States prison system. Of all 50 states, Texas has the highest number of inmates at 135,906. Advocates for civil liberties in the United States have taken significant exception to the fact that the U.S. has such a high number of incarcerated individuals. Many federal prisoners work hard while in prison to pay their debts back to society to obtain an early release or a sentence reduction from prison. The avenue of “compassionate release” may be available to particular federal prisoners.  

However, a compassionate release is not available to all federal inmates. Therefore, this blog will delve into the requirements for a prisoner to secure a compassionate release. Moreover, suppose you are interested in seeking a compassionate release. In that case, you must first consult with an experienced attorney who knows what the process entails and can ensure everything is done to give you a chance to obtain such a release. 

Information Regarding Compassionate Release

According to the Compassionate Release Program for federal prisoners, “extraordinary or compelling circumstances” that could not have been rationally expected are required for a prisoner to be eligible for a compassionate release. Furthermore, other situations where a compassionate release may be granted include:  

Unlawful immigration is frequently discussed and hotly debated in the political discourse of politics in America. However, for the people living in the central and southern areas of Texas, illegal immigration is a genuine, everyday issue, considering the region's closeness to the border of the United States and Mexico. State officials in Texas and federal officials are frequently looking for anyone who entered the United States illegally. Every once in a while, a person living in the central or southern part of Texas may be accused of helping the unlawful entry of one or group of individuals into the U.S. and can face charges of human smuggling. 

Smuggling someone into the United States is a grave crime that can bring with it hefty fines and jail time. If you have been accused of and charged with human smuggling, consider consulting with an experienced attorney with knowledge of and experience in human smuggling cases. Hiring an attorney can help ensure your rights are protected and that your best interests are always put first. 

Texas Law Regarding Human Smuggling

Under Texas state law, human smuggling refers to the concealment or the harboring of someone who entered and stayed in the United States, thereby violating federal law. Notably, someone may find themselves charged with human smuggling if they transferred someone using a car, aircraft, or watercraft with the intention of hiding them from authorities. Additionally, someone may be charged with human smuggling if they helped someone evade an official trying to arrest or hold them. Finally, depending on the situation, in addition to the state's charge of human smuggling, a person could find themselves charged with alien smuggling, which is a federal crime.

There are few things more enjoyable than a lovely day out on the water. With all the magnificent lakes and waterways in Texas, boating is an excellent activity you can enjoy with friends, family, or even yourself. So, what happens when you want to crack a cold one out on the water? Unlike driving a car, it is not illegal to have an open container of alcohol while you are driving a boat or watercraft if the operator is at least 21 years of age and does not become legally intoxicated. 

If you have been charged with boating while intoxicated, you may be shocked, as it is not uncommon for legal-aged boaters to enjoy alcohol while on the water. However, if you have been charged with such a crime, it may be wise to hire experienced legal counsel to help you avoid criminal penalties, including fines and prison.  

Being Charged with Boating While Intoxicated in Texas 

Under Texas state law, a person commits the offense of boating while intoxicated if they operate a watercraft with a BAC at or above .08%. To be convicted of boating while intoxicated, you must be found guilty of at least one of these criteria: