When Your Future Depends on the Conduct of Others In our previous article, we explored how Texas Penal Code Section 7.01 (The Law of Parties) allows the state to hold you responsible for a crime even if you weren’t the “main actor.” Because this law is so broad, it is often used to sweep up…
A Guide to Texas Penal Code Section 7.01 In many states, the legal system draws a hard line between the person who physically commits a crime (the “principal”) and those who helped them (the “accomplices”). However, in Texas, that line has been intentionally erased. Under Section 7.01 of the Texas Penal Code, everyone involved in…
Understanding Texas Law: The Stand Against Racial Profiling A Guide to Article 2B.0053 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure At Beltz Law Group, we believe that transparency and legal literacy are the foundations of justice. In Texas, the commitment to fair policing isn’t just an ideal—it is a statutory mandate. Central to this commitment…
In the eyes of the law, not every harmful action is a crime. One of the most fundamental principles of the Texas legal system is that a person cannot be held criminally responsible for an accident or an unconscious movement. To be convicted, the State must prove that you committed a voluntary act. At Beltz…
When an individual is accused of multiple crimes, the way those charges are structured can significantly impact the outcome of the trial and the length of a potential sentence. In Texas, the concept of a “criminal episode” is the legal framework used to determine if multiple offenses can be tried together in a single proceeding.…
In a criminal courtroom, “presumptions” act as logical bridges. They allow a jury to conclude that if Fact A is true, Fact B is also likely true. However, to protect the rights of the accused, the Texas legal system strictly regulates how these bridges are built and crossed. At Beltz Law Group, we believe that…
In a typical criminal case, the burden of proof rests entirely on the prosecution to prove every element of a crime “beyond a reasonable doubt.” However, there is a unique legal strategy known as an Affirmative Defense. At Beltz Law Group, we believe our clients should understand every tool available for their defense. While a…
When you are facing criminal charges in Texas, the legal system can feel overwhelming and tilted against you. However, the cornerstone of the American justice system—and specifically the Texas legal system—is a powerful protection for the accused: the presumption of innocence. At Beltz Law Group, we believe that understanding your rights is the first step…
In the Texas legal system, committing a crime typically requires more than just a physical act (the actus reus); it requires a specific state of mind, known as a culpable mental state (the mens rea). At Beltz Law Group, we know that the difference between a conviction and an acquittal often hinges on what the…
When you are facing criminal charges in North Texas, the legal system can feel like an overwhelming maze of rules and consequences. At Beltz Law Group, we believe that the first step in a strong defense is understanding the rules of the game. The bedrock of the Texas criminal justice system isn’t found in a…