Houston Criminal Law Blog

As previous posts have discussed, any criminal conviction, from a misdemeanor to a felony, has the potential for long term consequences. A criminal history makes it harder to get a job, rent an apartment and obtain custody of children. Further, sometimes mere criminal allegations, particularly for public figures, can cause substantial reputation damage. For public figures or high profile cases, often the court of public opinion can do as much damage as the legal system.

Recently, former Houston Rockets forward Jordan Hill was charged with third-degree felony assault. Authorities allege Hill choked his girlfriend of two years while the two were in his Houston apartment arguing over his cell phone. Prosecutors say that Hill could face as much as 10 years in prison for the domestic violence charge if convicted.

The consequences of a sex crime conviction are serious. Convictions mean not only possible prison time, but a potential life time sex offender registry and damage to reputation. The sex offender label makes it harder to get a job, to rent an apartment or to buy a home.

An Austin man was recently arrested when he allegedly spied on women in a busy thrift store. The store employee noticed the man moving throughout the store with a water bottle and a "koozie." According to the store employee, every time a woman walked by, the man would click a device attached to the koozie. The man also reportedly put his foot out in an awkward manner toward the dressing rooms.

It may be safe to say that the majority of people that are of sound mind do not go on destructive hammer-wielding rampages through the neighborhood.

Last week, Houston law enforcement was advised that a 71-year-old woman did just that. The woman was reportedly thrusting a hammer at parked cars and hitting a neighbor who was walking her dog. When the Houston SWAT team arrived at the home of the woman, she apparently refused to exit her home after orders to do so by the police. After four hours passed with no end in sight, the SWAT team forced entry and arrested the woman on aggravated assault charges.

The president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Association of Lubbock was recently arrested and accused of exposing his genitals in Mackenzie Park. The accusations are likely to result in severe damage to his reputation. The police report lists a 43-year-old male as the victim. Texas law defines a victim of indecent exposure as a person who is present and offended by another individual publically exposing their genitals. The case is still under investigation.

While it is not evident whether the defendant will be convicted of the allegations, the man's personal life and professional life are likely marred. He has not yet had the chance to defend himself at trial, but he absolutely maintains the right to do so. In fact, aggressive prosecution, which frequently accompanies sex crime allegations in Texas, often results in a criminal trial. A conviction could mean potential jail time and entry into the sex offender registry.