Law Offices Of Jeffrey C. Grass

Do Arrests Show Up on a Criminal Background Check?

When applying for a job, you need to make yourself as attractive as possible to your prospective employer. If you were arrested and are now worried about the effect this will have on your job prospects, take a look at this video.

In most cases, arrests will not show up on background checks, but they may be taken into consideration if you are applying for a federal job or a job that requires a high security clearance. No matter what, you should always be honest if asked about any prior arrests.

Though arrests will not usually affect your job prospects, a conviction will. To avoid conviction, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney. In the Dallas-Plano area, call (888) 698-2325 to reach the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass. We offer free initial consultations and an installment payment plan for your convenience.

Examples of Common State and Federal Crimes

If you are ever arrested for a crime, it is important to ask if it is a state or federal offense, as this will determine the path your trial will take with a criminal defense attorney. Here is some important information about these different types of crimes:

• State Crimes
  In general, state crimes are offenses that take place solely in one state and are outlawed by state law. Accordingly, these crimes may be punished differently in each state. For example, while Texas authorizes the death penalty in some heinous criminal cases, other states do not. Some examples of common state crimes include homicide, drug possession and distribution (within state boundaries), traffic offenses, driving under the influence and driving while intoxicated, and sex crimes.

All of these cases will be tried in state courts according to state statutes, unless they are appealed to the Supreme Court. In some cases, extenuating circumstances may exist in which the case qualifies for federal prosecution, but this is rare and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Federal Crimes
  If a crime takes place in one or more states or involves international activity, it is generally considered a federal offense. Similarly, if it involves a federal institution like the Postal Service or the IRS, it automatically becomes a federal offense. Other examples of federal crimes include tax evasion, art theft, mail fraud, kidnapping, drug trafficking, currency counterfeiting, and child pornography.

Conspiracy charges are also common in federal cases. Anyone who worked with someone who committed a federal crime, even if they themselves did not commit a federal crime, will be charged with conspiracy. For example, a person driving a car filled with drugs that were trafficked across state lines may be charged with conspiracy, though he himself never crossed state lines or performed actions meriting federal charges.

Whether you’ve been charged with a state or federal crime, you can count on the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass to provide a strong criminal defense attorney. For a free initial consultation regarding your case, call us at (888) 698-2325 or visit our website for more information.

Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.

A Basic Guide to Filing an Appeal for a Federal or State Crime

Though the judicial process should be fair and impartial, it can be complicated by errors in the judicial procedure and due process. In trials that have been complicated by these errors, whether at the state or federal level, the defendant may want to consider pursuing an appeal. Find out more about this process by reading the answers to the frequently asked questions below given by a criminal defense attorney:

• Why Pursue an Appeal?
  Appeals evaluate the judicial process that took place during a trial. The purpose of an appeal is not to dispute or establish guilt; instead, an appeal evaluates the validity of court procedure and due process. Appellate courts evaluate a judge’s decisions regarding admission of evidence and other decisions that could have affected the fairness of the trial.
   
• What Crimes Can Be Appealed?
  All cases in which the defendant has been sentenced to the death penalty will be automatically reviewed by the Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest appellate court in Texas. Defendants who have been found guilty of any crime have the right to appeal, as does the losing party in a civil suit.
   
• How Does the Appeal Process Work?
  Because they are not truly evaluating guilt or innocence, appeal judges do not hear testimony from witnesses. They read the transcripts of trial proceedings and testimonies and review evidence to decide if it was legally obtained and due process was followed. Appellate courts are concerned primarily with correct court procedure and the fairness of the trial, not the verdict. If an error was made, the court must also determine whether the error was “harmless,” meaning that it had no effect on the verdict. Based on all of this consideration, the judges will decide whether a new trial is merited.

Appeals require attorneys with specific skills and experience, because the process is very different from a trial. If you’re considering appealing a conviction, call the experienced state and federal appeal lawyers of the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass. To reach our office in the Dallas area, call (888) 698-2325, and schedule a free initial consultation with our criminal defense lawyer.

Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.

What Evidence Is Allowed in a Trial?

In a trial, both the defense and prosecution must produce evidence, or facts that prove a point, in order to convince the judge or jury of their argument. In this video, you’ll learn more about evidence.

Not all facts are admissible in court, and an attorney must choose his evidence carefully in order to construct the strongest possible case. Check out the video for more information, including the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence.

Evidence is a critical part of any criminal trial. For a strong defense, you need an experienced lawyer who can use evidence persuasively to convince a jury of your innocence. If you need a criminal defense attorney, call (888) 698-2325 to reach the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass in Plano and Dallas, and schedule your free initial consultation.

How Megan's Law Can Affect You If You're Convicted of a Child Sex Crime

In 1994, New Jersey established Megan’s Law in an attempt to make communities aware of sex offenders in their area. Since then, all states have adopted versions of the law to identify those who have been convicted of sex crimes. Here’s a look at the provisions of Megan’s Law in Texas:

• Registration
  Within seven days of arrival in a city or town, a sexual offender must register with the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement authorities. All adult and juvenile offenders convicted after September 1, 1970 must submit to this registration procedure and must confirm their residence annually, or every 90 days if they have been convicted of multiple sex crimes. For most offenders, this registration process must be followed for the rest of their lives, though some nonviolent offenders must only register for 10 years after their release. Failure to comply with these requirements carries a minimum of a state jail penalty, with possible enhancements leading to second or third degree felonies.
   
• Information Required
  When registering, a sex offender must provide extensive information. These items include their full name, date of birth, physical description and photograph, address and phone number, information about the offense, such as type of offense, date, age of victim, and punishment received, and employment status. This information, minus personally identifiable information like their phone number, is available to the public in an online database.
   
• Child Sex Crimes
  If you are convicted of a child sex crime, you will be a registered sex offender for the rest of your life, and you must check in with law enforcement on a regular basis. Additionally, your neighbors may receive postcards notifying them of the presence of a registered sex offender in their neighborhood.

Sex crimes against children carry serious penalties and lifetime repercussions. If you’ve been accused of a child sex crime, call the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass in the Dallas area to get the criminal defense you deserve. To schedule a consultation, call (888) 698-2325.

Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.