In New York and Florida, FBI officers have conducted raids on homes where they traced downloaded child porn.  However, the officers soon found after investigations that the homeowners were not the ones who had downloaded the images.  Neighbors who managed to gain access to the Wi-Fi routers, downloaded thousands of images of child porn, alerting the FBI.  In most of these cases, the officers were able to investigate and determine that other people had accessed the porn through Wi-Fi routers.

Leaving Wi-Fi routers is a widespread practice in Houston.  Most people who do so believe they are being generous to outsiders who wish to access the Internet by leaving their Wi-Fi routers open.  However, this habit is isn’t without its pitfalls.  Your Wi-Fi router could be used for illegal activities, including downloading child pornography.  According to the Computer Emergency Readiness Team, users can make their networks invisible by disabling a function that announces the presence of wireless access points to others.  If you have an open wireless router, you must know that you will not be able to quickly determine if someone else is accessing your router for illegal activities.

Child pornography charges are some of the most serious crimes that you can be charged with.  These belong to a category of crimes in which persons may be assumed by society to be guilty until they are proved innocent.  Secure your Wi-Fi routers, and protect yourself from unauthorized access to your WI-F networks.

According to the data, in 2010, 494,000 people were stopped by Houston police.  Out of these, blacks comprised approximately 33%.  In comparison, the black population in Houston last year was just 23%, making for a skewed proportion.

According to officials, police do conduct more patrols in predominantly African American neighborhoods, as well as minority neighborhoods in general.  However, not all of the stops lead to an arrest.  In 2010, the Houston Police Department pulled over 175,000 black residents, and 18% of them were released.  Out of the remaining, 40% were ticketed and 17% were given warnings.

According to the Houston Police Department, the increased number of stops in predominantly African-American neighborhoods has to do with the fact that there are more calls from residents in these areas complaining about illegal activity, like drug crimes.  Therefore, Houston police officers deploy more units in these areas, and as a result, residents of these areas feel like they’re pulled over more often.

Being arrested can be a traumatizing experience for any Houstonian.  Persons in a situation like this may feel confused, and anxious.  If you’re been arrested for a crime in Houston, contact the Houston criminal defense attorneys at our firm.

The story revolves around a woman in Los Angeles, who was sexually assaulted by a man she met on the dating website.  The woman filed a lawsuit against the website, to force it to include sex offender checks as part of its screening process.  Within a few days, the operator of the website announced that the website would now begin screening to match usernames with those on the sex offender registry.

There are several reasons why this won’t work.  For instance, there’s nothing forcing a person to post their real name on the website.  There goes any possibility of matching the name with an existing name on a sex offender registry.  Even if the name matches one on a sex offender registry, the addresses would have to match too.  It’s far too easy for a person to provide a post box number for a residential address.

Besides, the federal sex offender registry is notoriously unreliable.  There are several errors made in registries, including some instances where people who were never convicted of any sex offenses found their names on the registry.  Besides, the risks of a convicted sex offender committing sexual assault again are actually quite low.  Most users of dating websites are likely to be assaulted by someone who is not mentioned in the registry, than by a convicted sex offender.

Besides, where does this all end?  There’s nothing preventing a person tomorrow, for asking for DWI screenings, and inclusion of shoplifting, petty theft and other minor convictions on dating websites.

A deadly gas tanker accident on a freeway in Fort Worth, Texas, has been blamed on a wrong way driver who was traveling in the opposite direction on the freeway, under the influence of alcohol.  The man has now been charged with intoxication manslaughter.

The 23-year-old motorist was driving a pickup truck the wrong way in the westbound lanes of Interstate 30 in Fort Worth.  Soon, the pickup truck crashed into a gas tanker, and the tanker exploded in flames.  The tanker driver died at the scene of the accident.  The accident occurred on a bridge, and there was some damage to the structure of the bridge from the heat generated by the explosion.

Investigations into the accident have begun.  The driver has admitted to having had at least 10 beers before he began driving.   Investigators are focusing on where the man consumed that amount of alcohol before the accident.  The Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission has begun an investigation into the business where the man purchased his drinks.  They have identified one establishment where the man might have consumed his drinks, and are specifically investigating whether the business was negligent in over serving the man.

As Houston DWI lawyers and Houston Auto Accident Lawyers, we always encourage bars, taverns, pubs, restaurants and other establishments that serve alcohol, to remember that they have a responsibility to do so safely.  For instance, staff at an establishment must not serve alcohol to a patron they can see is too intoxicated to drive.  Failure to do so can result in criminal charges being pressed against the establishment.  For instance, an establishment may face misdemeanor charges for serving alcohol to an intoxicated patron.  Also, an establishment may face a civil lawsuit for negligently serving a known intoxicated person additional drinks under the Texas Dram Shop Act.

The study is based on data from the Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Event Reporting System. There are some known culprits on the list like Paxil, the antidepressant which has also been linked to birth defects, as well as one of the most widely used antidepressants Prozac, which has also been linked to a high risk of violence.

Tellingly, most of the drugs on the list are antidepressants. These include Desvenlafaxine sold under the brand name Pristiq, and linked to a 7.9 times higher risk of violent behavior, Venlafaxine sold under the brand name Effexor, and linked to a 8.3 times higher risk of violent behavior, Fluvoxamine sold under the brand name Luvox, and with a 8.5 times higher risk of being involved in violent behavior.

Also on the list are Triazolam, a benzodiazepine which is used to treat insomnia. This medication can be addictive, and can increase the risk of violent behavior by about 8.7 times. Also featuring on the list are two drugs used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder- Atomoxetine with a nine times higher risk of violent crimes and amphetamines with a 9.6 times higher risk of violent behavior.  The antimalarial drug Mefoquine has a 9.5 times higher risk of violent behavior. SSRI antidepressant Paroxetine has a 10.3 times higher risk of violent behavior, while Fluoxetine or Prozac has a 10.9 times higher risk of violent behavior.

The most dangerous drug on the list as far as violent behavior is concerned is undoubtedly the antismoking medication, Chantix. This drug has already been tracked by Houston product liability lawyers has a link with violence that is about 18 times higher than for any other medication.

A study conducted by researchers at Cornell University, found that less than attractive defendants were up to 22% more likely to be convicted than good-looking ones.  It’s not just that fact that will be disconcerting to any Houston criminal defense lawyer. The study also found that not only were less attractive defendants more likely to be convicted, but they were also likely to be handed longer sentences. On an average, attractive defendants were handed sentences that were 22 months shorter than less attractive ones.

There was some good news, if you can call it that.  This difference in convictions and sentences does not seem to be seen in serious cases like murder, where the difference between attractive and less attractive defendants, was minor. However, in the case of minor crimes or offenses, there was a very noticeable difference in the conviction rates, as well as the length of sentences handed out to both groups.

It is not the first time that study has yielded such results. Over the past several decades, there have been a number of studies that have probed whether a defendant’s looks have anything to do with whether he gets convicted or not. Studies have been conducted across the pond too. One study in the UK found that good-looking defendants were much more likely to be acquitted of crimes than the more rough looking ones.

No matter what you look like however, the biggest factor standing between you and a conviction still remains an expert and experienced Houston criminal defense attorney. If you have been charged with a crime, contact the experienced trial lawyers atd Kahn Law Firm today for a free, confidential case evaluation at 713-226-9900.

On Wednesday, the court held that a jury that convicted Roy Gene Smith in 1990, did not hear evidence about his growing up in a crime-infested neighborhood in Houston. 51-year-old Smith had been convicted for shooting a 70-year-old woman. He only stole about four dollars from her. On Wednesday, the court held that Smith must be sentenced again.

The other man on death row to have his sentence thrown out, was 44-year-old David Lewis. Lewis was convicted of shooting a 76-year-old woman, as he burglarized her house. He will now receive a new trial.

While that was good news for the two men, at least three other men whose appeals were being considered by Texas’ highest court were not so lucky. Those three men had their appeals turned down.

The men included 31-year-old Yokaman Hearn. His appeal was based on his claim that he could not be executed because the laws prevented execution of a mentally impaired person. In 2004, Hearn had come to within an hour of execution, but the execution was stayed so his mental impairment claims could be further examined. However, the Court of Criminal Appeals has turned down his appeal.

The second man to lose his appeal was Randall Wayne Mays. He had been convicted in the death of a sheriff’s deputy in 2007. His criminal defense lawyers focused on improper jury instructions given by the judge during his trial, but the appeal was turned down.

Kosoul Chanthakoummane was convicted of the murder of a 40-year-old in 2006, and was handed down the death penalty. His lawyers appealed on a number of grounds, including that the jurors had seen him shackled during his trial, and had been shown a picture of him looking like he was about to bite a small dog, which could have negatively impacted their perception of him. Chanthakoummane’s appeal however, was turned down too.

Jokes are made about [lawyers] and they consistently rank as one of the least respected professions on the planet.

Yet, when regular people need help writing a will, running a business or avoiding jail time, who do they flock to?  Lawyers!  This love/hate relationship too often tilts to the hate side of the ledger.  Well no more.

Announcing “NATIONAL BE KIND TO LAWYERS DAY” on Tuesday, April 13th.  It’s a simple way to show the attorneys in your life that you really care about them:  That you’re willing to give 1/365th of your year to back up the love.

Here are a few ways the site suggests that you celebrate today:

1. Slip words like “I object” or “You’re out of order!” into your everyday conversations
2. Take your favorite lawyer to breakfast or lunch.
3. Send your favorite lawyer a “just because” card or bouquet of flowers.
4. Do some simple repairs around your house with a gavel instead of a hammer.

http://www.bekindtolawyers.com/Home_Page.html

To our clients…  we thank you for allowing us to serve you as your attorneys.  We are here for you, and flowers are not required!  We hope you enjoy this beautiful spring day.

In February 2007, Brian McGacken opened the door of his New Jersey home to find state police troopers. They had apparently been alerted by a 911 call, complaining about the high volume sex McGacken and his girlfriend were having. McGacken assured the troopers that the noise was merely the two of them going at it, and his adult girlfriend confirmed the same. Not satisfied with that explanation, the troopers made their way into his home. They reached his bedroom, where they found 12.5 ounces of marijuana and at least 15 potted marijuana plants. Obviously, there was no warrant.

McGacken was arrested. His lawyers tried to suppress the drug evidence, alleging that the police had no basis to invoke any emergency exemption to warrant requirements. They were not successful, and McGacken pleaded guilty to charges of producing marijuana. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, out of which he will serve 37 months on parole. He appealed, but was unsuccessful there too. His lawyers say they may appeal further.

So, you have a man and his girlfriend, waking up the neighbors with loud sex (presumably legal). You also have police troopers who should have accepted the man’s explanation for the loud noise and gone off quietly, but instead proceeded to barge into the man’s house, snoop around without a warrant and arrest him for drug possession (not entirely legal).

It seems like this man’s rights have been trampled upon, and prosecutors have been unnecessarily aggressive about allowing the warrant requirement to be waved aside in this situation. It’s the kind of thing Houston criminal defense lawyers see often in Texas too – laws are twisted to suit the purposes of prosecuting authorities.

If you have been charged with a crime, contact the Husband & Wife legal team at The Kahn Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation at 713-226-9900.

The Origins of a Saint

To go back to the very beginning of his life however, St. Patrick was born in Britain to a wealthy family. His family wasn’t particularly religious, although his father was a church deacon. It’s highly likely that the deaconship came because of tax incentives offered, rather than from any spiritual bent of mind.

When Patrick was 16 years old, a group of Irish raiders attacked his family’s estate, and took Patrick captive. He spent six years as a prisoner, most likely in County Mayo. After six years, Patrick received his first revelation, in which God spoke to him telling him to leave Ireland. He went to Britain, and soon after, received his second revelation, this time telling him to go back to Ireland and become a missionary. Once Patrick became a priest, he went back to Ireland to convert the local people to Christianity.

There were a few Christians living in Ireland at the time, although their practice of Christianity included plenty of traditional native beliefs and symbols. Rather than introducing a “pure” form of Christianity to them, St. Patrick used their native Celtic symbols and elements to bring them into the fold. In St. Patrick’s Christian tradition, Easter was celebrated around bonfires, and crosses had a sun superimposed on them to allow the natives to feel more comfortable about venerating the cross.

The Irish in Texas

The Irish were the first settlers in Texas during the Spanish occupation. Their roots in the state go deep. At least 4 Irishman are believed to have signed the Texas Declaration Of Independence, and 25 of them are believed to have signed the Goliad Declaration Of Independence. In 1850, there were just 1,400 Irishman in Texas. Today the number is more than 2 million.

Irish Symbols & Traditions

There are several well-known symbols and traditions associated with St. Patrick’s Day including the shamrock, leprechauns and a “traditional” meal of corned beef.

The shamrock was a sacred plant in old Ireland because it symbolized “rebirth” of springtime. By the 17th century, the Irish began seeing the shamrock as a sign of nationalism and Irish pride and began displaying it to show displeasure when the English began taking over their land and making rules against their language and Catholic religion.

The belief in leprechauns likely began due to the Celtic belief in fairies. In Celtic stories, and folklore, they were small, cranky people who were responsible for mending the shoes of the fairies. Although leprechauns did not originally have anything to do with St. Patrick’s Day, it has evolved in an American symbol of St. Patrick’s Day partially due to a 1959 Disney film, Darby O’Gill and the Little People, which portrayed the leprechaun as a cheerful, friendly and magical person.

Corned beef is now known as a “traditional” meal of the Irish; however, it only became associated with St. Patrick’s Day around the turn of the century. New York City’s Irish immigrants began to substitute corned beef for the more traditional Irish bacon to cut down on costs and learned this new alternative from their Jewish neighbors.

To these Texans of Irish descent who are celebrating this beloved holiday today, and the millions more non-Irishmen and women that love this day too, the personal injury lawyers at the Kahn Law Firm would like to wish a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!