Criminal Defense Archives - Page 2 of 17 - Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Ned Barnett

Can Campus Police Make Arrests?

Published: May 09, 2025 in Criminal Defense, Student Crimes

College campuses across Texas are patrolled by their own police departments, but many students and parents are unsure about the extent of their authority. Whether you’re attending a public university or a private college, it’s important to understand that campus police in Texas are fully empowered law enforcement officers. They can make arrests, issue citations, and investigate crimes—just like city or county police. If you’re a student facing criminal charges, it’s crucial to take the situation seriously. A campus arrest can lead to both legal consequences and disciplinary action from…

Bench Trials vs. Jury Trials in Houston Child Sex Crime Cases

Published: Apr 28, 2025 in Child Sex Crimes, Criminal Defense

The Sixth Amendment guarantees your right to a speedy public trial decided by an impartial jury or your peers if you have been accused of a crime. Despite this right, some defendants and their lawyers choose to have their case heard by a judge only. This is called a bench trial. Whether it’s a good idea or not to waive your right to a jury trial depends on the situation. For instance in a Houston child sex crime case it will depend on the nature of the allegations, the defenses…

Can You Be Charged with Child Porn Created by AI in Texas?

Published: Apr 04, 2025 in Child Sex Crimes, Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes Involving Children

It’s no secret that artificial intelligence is changing the world. AI is also changing how the law views digital content. From auto-generated art to deepfake videos, AI can now create things that look incredibly real, including images that cross serious legal lines – especially when AI is used to create or manipulate sexually explicit images involving minors. Even if there’s no real child involved—just a digitally generated or manipulated image—you can still face serious criminal charges related to child pornography. And as a recent case in Houston shows, law enforcement…

What to Do if You Are Falsely Accused of Sexual Assault in Texas

Published: Mar 20, 2025 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

If you’ve been falsely accused of sexual assault in Texas or any criminal sex offense, you’re probably feeling shocked, scared, and unsure of what to do next. It’s one of the most serious allegations a person can face—and even if you’re completely innocent, just being accused can change your life in an instant. You might be wondering, “Can I be charged with rape if it was consensual?” or “What happens if I’m wrongly accused of a sex crime?” False accusations don’t just hurt your reputation—they can cost you your freedom,…

Common Prostitution Sting Tactics in Texas

Published: Mar 16, 2025 in Criminal Defense, Sex Crimes

A sting operation happens when the police and/or other law enforcement agencies have officers/agents act as accomplices or victims to gather evidence and arrest potential offenders. An example is a Houston prostitution sting where an undercover police officer acts as a sex worker, solicits you to pay for sexual acts, and then arrests you when you agree. But sometimes, law enforcement oversteps its boundaries and violates your rights. This is called entrapment and can result in getting your charges dropped. Still, it may be helpful to know how a prostitution…