Texas Criminal Law, Forms, and Tips
Mark Daniel and Judge Robert K. Gill, two of the most respected criminal law authorities in the state, have rejuvenated and expanded Paul McClung’s beloved criminal casebook. Here is ready access to key Texas criminal law precedent. Find winning arguments, evaluate key issues, anticipate the opposition's moves, and locate case support with Texas Criminal Lawyer's Handbook. This authoritative work provides practical and detailed coverage of today's tough issues:
- Admissibility of DNA Evidence
- Batson Challenges
- Challenges for Cause
- Child Abuse Evidence
- Child Witnesses
- Confessions
- Discovery Issues
- Hate Crimes
- Illegal Searches
- Ineffective Counsel
- Prior Sexual Conduct
- Probable Cause
- Probation Revocation Issues
- Sentencing Issues
Now Texas Criminal Lawyer's Handbook contains three types of helpful information skillfully woven together in a quick-reading, easy-to-follow reference guide:
1. Authoritative legal analysis.
Over 3,400 cases are analyzed and cited in over 250 topics, giving you quick access to Texas criminal precedent. Emerging legal doctrines are detailed, related examples are condensed in checklist format, and the discussions of the following key topics have been expanded:
- Arrest
- Search and seizure
- Confessions
- Scientific evidence
- Pre-trial motions
- Evidentiary issues
- Punishment issues
- Sentencing
2. Timesaving forms and checklists.
Speed your drafting with the Handbook’s motions, objections, requests, declarations, affidavits, and admonishments. Save research time with handy checklists, each fully supported with case citations.
3. Practice tips.
Over 200 valuable suggestions are provided for the defense, prosecution, and bench. For example:
Search and seizure
- Objecting to the fruits of allegedly improper search or seizure. Section 2.21.1
- Alternatives to proprietary interests for demonstrating a reasonable expectation of privacy. Section 2.21.2
- Preserving search warrant errors for review. Section 2.100
- Challenging the initial detention. Section 3.32.1
- Preventing the state's appeal of a successful suppression. Section 12.30
Strategies for cross-examination
- Controlling difficult witnesses through the court reporter. Section 15.57.2.10
- Neutralizing “I don't recall” answers. Section 15.57.2.11
- Turning the tables on witness who asks for definitions. Section 15.57.2.12
Discovery
- Determining the voluntariness of impeachment evidence. Section 6.100
- Demonstrating bad faith in evidence preservation. Section 13.55
Jury selection
- Preserving error for denial of a requested challenge for cause. Section 14.40
- Preserving a Batson challenge. Section 14.73.1
- Challenging subjective beliefs or court room observations in a Batson hearing. Section 14.73.3
Trial objections
- Objecting to impeachment based upon an inconsistent statement. Section 15.56.1
- Establishing the proper predicate during impeachment. Section 15.56.2
- Contesting the use of a prior conviction for impeachment. Section 15.56.3
- Objecting to “Have you heard?” questions. Section 15.56.3
- Physical evidence labels and notes as hearsay. Section 16.22.2
- Advice to the bench and prosecution on admitting inflammatory evidence. Section 16.31.2
The most comprehensive and respected criminal practice guide in Texas, providing everything you need to help you prepare for, and win, criminal trials. Covers more than 250 topics. The Handbook also gives you in-depth practice advice on constitutional rights, documentary evidence, scientific evidence, impeachment techniques, punishment, and more.
That latest update includes a full-text, searchable CD-ROM.
Texas Criminal Lawyer's Handbook
