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Houston criminal defense attorney Lisa Shapiro Strauss has represented many clients who have been arrested and charged with multiple misdemeanors and/or felonies. One of their biggest concerns is how long of a sentence they will have to serve if convicted of all the charges. Will their sentences be served concurrently, or cumulatively — stacked one […]

Is making verbal threats a crime in Texas or protected speech? There are many reasons a person could make a verbal threat against the other. In some instances, a verbal threat could be made as a joke; in others, it could be a means of self-defense with no real intention of causing bodily harm or […]

If you’ve been charged with causing injury to a child by omission in Houston, it’s important to take immediate action to protect your rights. Houston family violence defense attorney Lisa Shapiro Strauss is here to defend you. Injury to a child by omission is a felony in Texas; if found guilty, you could face stiff […]

If you’re awaiting trial after being arrested on a misdemeanor or felony charge in Houston or Harris County, the outcome of your trial will depend on the evidence the state uses to make their case for conviction.  In order to obtain a conviction in Texas, prosecutors must convince a jury, beyond a reasonable doubt, that […]

David was caught shoplifting at a local Walmart. He was detained by loss prevention staff; the property he is accused of attempting to steal — a $12 T-shirt — was recovered. No charges were filed, but he was banned from returning to the store. Sandra was also accused of shoplifting at Walmart, for about $25 […]

Is it legal for law enforcement to search a private residence or business without a search warrant? It is if they have consent from the owners or occupants to do so. This is the basis of the “knock and talk,” a popular investigative technique used by Houston law enforcement. Knock and talk allow law enforcement […]

Being charged with family violence charges in Texas could have a big impact if you’re going through a divorce. In Texas, family violence is also sometimes known as domestic violence or domestic abuse. It occurs when an adult family member threatens or harms another family member. The adult family member may include: A partner or […]

If you’ve been charged with domestic violence in Houston, chances are a judge has issued a restraining order, also known as a protective order, in your case preventing you from having contact with the alleged victim or their family. Protective orders are meant to prevent or reduce the likelihood of future harm to a victim […]

If you have an outstanding warrant in Houston or Harris County, March 2021 could turn out to be a very bad month for you.  That’s because March is the month Texas law enforcement conducts their annual Texas Warrant Roundup. During the 2021 Warrant Roundup, the Houston Police Department, Harris County Constables, and other participating state […]

Under Houston’s new Cite and Release program, if you are suspected of committing certain Class A or B misdemeanors, police officers will issue you a citation, rather than arrest you and place you in jail. However, just because you didn’t get arrested, doesn’t mean you won’t be paying big fines or be sentenced to jail […]