As of the beginning of September, there are some Texas laws that have gone into effect (more than 670, in fact). Here’s a short breakdown of a few of them that you may have heard about.
House Bill 62. This is a statewide ban on texting and driving that makes it a misdemeanor offense to use a wireless communications device to read, write or send electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle. If the car is stopped, you can text, even at red lights – but it’s still not recommended.
Attacking police officers is now considered a hate crime, which can enhance certain charges. For example, intoxication assault against a police officer is now a first-degree felony.
House Bill 1935 has legalized open carry of knives and blades five and a half inches and over. Yes – that means you are now legally allowed to open carry a sword. Have at thee! Of course, you still can’t carry a sword into a school, bar, hospital or church.
Other 2017 Laws
These changes join a variety of other laws that went into effect in 2017, including:
expansion of the sex offender list
changes to prostitution laws
changes to Class C expunctions
banning improvised explosive devices
increasing penalties for damaging dams
making it illegal to operate drones too close to stadiums, prisons and jails
increased penalties for forms of election fraud
language updates regarding awareness of age of victim and definition of consent in sexual assault and statutory rape
adding several drugs to the list of controlled substances
As always, if you are charged with a crime in Texas, the most effective way to have your charges and penalties reduced or dropped is to discuss your case with a Texas criminal defense attorney.
Mike Goolsby
A veteran in both civil court cases and criminal defense, Mike Goolsby is a respected lawyer with more than 16 years of experience practicing law. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Texas in 1990, followed by his J.D. from the prestigious Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1994. After earning his law degree, Mr. Goolsby worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. As a trial lawyer, he was able to gain exceptional access to the criminal court system in this major metropolitan area, giving him immeasurable, distinct experience that helped him build a solid foundation for his own private legal practice. Mr. Goolsby went on to practice civil law for Maverick Acceptance Group, a venture capital company. Here, he gained invaluable knowledge of the civil side of the law, adding to his already diverse portfolio of legal expertise. In 1999, he opened the doors of The Goolsby Law Firm and has been successfully serving the residents of North Texas ever since. As an attorney, Mr. Goolsby combines his experience in both the civil and criminal fields to offer unmatched legal representation to his clients. With a long list of satisfied clients, Mr. Goolsby continues to build his practice through fair and aggressive legal defense.