Author Archive

Kevin L. Collins

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New Texas Laws Expand Definitions of Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse

By Kevin L. Collins | Published October 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law, sex crime | Tagged Tags: sexual abuse, sexual assault, Texas Penal Code | Comments Off on New Texas Laws Expand Definitions of Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse

Texas has toughened its laws on sex offenses by adding to the types of conduct that can be prosecuted as sexual assault or sexual abuse. The statutory changes, which took effect on September 1, 2021, address a broad range of conduct and target people in certain professions that involve close working relationships with potential victims. Read More

Using Police Body Cam Footage in DWI Defense

By Kevin L. Collins | Published September 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: body cam footage, DWI, evidence, video footage | Comments Off on Using Police Body Cam Footage in DWI Defense

Over the past decade, the nationwide push for law enforcement transparency has led police departments, including many in Texas, to adopt body camera technology to record the actions of officers in the field. Video evidence can be extremely valuable to defense counsel in analyzing the propriety of police conduct during investigations and arrests. This is Read More

Defending Against Charges of Sexual Misconduct on Campus

By Kevin L. Collins | Published August 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: discrimination, sexual assault, sexual misconduct, title IX | Comments Off on Defending Against Charges of Sexual Misconduct on Campus

Title IX of the federal Civil Rights Act prohibits educational institutions from discriminating on the basis of sex. Discrimination can take multiple forms, including sexual misconduct, which is also a potential crime. When an educator or a student is charged with sexual misconduct, they may face not only on-campus disciplinary proceedings but also criminal prosecution Read More

Prosecutors Must Now Disclose All Relevant Evidence to Defense Counsel

By Kevin L. Collins | Published July 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: criminal defense, material evidence, relevant evidence | Comments Off on Prosecutors Must Now Disclose All Relevant Evidence to Defense Counsel

A Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruling makes it clear that prosecutors must disclose to defense counsel nearly all evidence in their possession — a potential landmark decision that could greatly enhance fairness in the state’s criminal justice system. The ruling, in Hopkins v. State, comes eight years after Texas last overhauled its criminal discovery Read More

Texas GOP Legislators Pushing for Bail System Based on Severity of Crimes

By Kevin L. Collins | Published June 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: bail reform, cash bail, drug crimes, personal recognizance bonds | Comments Off on Texas GOP Legislators Pushing for Bail System Based on Severity of Crimes

Harris County implemented major bail reforms after federal courts held unconstitutional the common practice of requiring preset cash bail amounts without accounting for a defendant’s personal circumstances. However, Republican lawmakers are now trying to counter these reforms, pushing for legislation that would link bail determinations to the severity of the alleged crimes. As a result Read More

Current Legislative Efforts Would Walk Back Texas Bail Reforms

By Kevin L. Collins | Published May 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: bail reform, cash bail, drug crimes, personal recognizance bonds | Comments Off on Current Legislative Efforts Would Walk Back Texas Bail Reforms

Despite the documented success of misdemeanor bail reforms that have been implemented in Harris County, Texas legislators and the state’s governor are pushing for measures that would make it harder for many defendants to secure release pending trial. Governor Greg Abbott has declared the need for bail practice changes an emergency item for this legislative Read More

When is a Defendant Entitled to Bail Pending Appeal of a Conviction?

By Kevin L. Collins | Published April 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: appeals, bail, imprisonment, violent crimes | Comments Off on When is a Defendant Entitled to Bail Pending Appeal of a Conviction?

Under Texas law, most people who have been convicted of a crime carrying a prison sentence are entitled to be released on reasonable bail pending the determination of an appeal. However, there are notable exceptions, based on the seriousness of the crime and other factors. In general, post-conviction bail works much the same as pretrial Read More

Harris County to Report on Crimes by Defendants Released on Bail

By Kevin L. Collins | Published March 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: bail reform, Crime Stoppers | Comments Off on Harris County to Report on Crimes by Defendants Released on Bail

The Harris County Commissioners Court has voted to allow the Justice Administration Department (JAD) to share non-confidential information about defendants released on bail. The JAD will report on the number of defendants since January 2018 charged with a subsequent felony or misdemeanor offense while out on any type of pretrial release. This information will be Read More

Public Research Group Studies Effect of Assistance of Counsel at Bail Hearings

By Kevin L. Collins | Published February 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: bail reform, nonviolent crimes, risk assessment tools | Comments Off on Public Research Group Studies Effect of Assistance of Counsel at Bail Hearings

Researchers have made Potter County, Texas one of the first court systems in the United States to actively test the effect of the presence of defense counsel at bail hearings. The Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University is conducting a year-long study at the Potter County Detention Center, testing whether defendants charged Read More

Lawsuit Challenging Harris County Felony Bail System Can Proceed to Trial

By Kevin L. Collins | Published January 1, 2021 | Posted in Criminal Law | Tagged Tags: bail reform, felony bail system, judicial immunity, motion to dismiss | Comments Off on Lawsuit Challenging Harris County Felony Bail System Can Proceed to Trial

A federal judge has decided that a lawsuit challenging the Harris County felony bail system should continue to trial. The federal class action was brought by the same legal team that successfully challenged the county’s misdemeanor bail practices last year, resulting in a settlement that allows most defendants facing misdemeanor charges to be released without Read More

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We are here to help and support you through these generally challenging times with your specific legal issues. You will be able to reach me or my staff through our main telephone numbers, and of course by email: [email protected]. Phone conferences for existing and potential clients are available, as is the video conference feature through the Zoom app. Zoom may present some privacy challenges so phone conferences are preferred. Please take care of your health by following the measures recommended by the CDC, and by state and local authorities.

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Kevin Collins represented me in a D.V. case. Dismissal. His preparation and intellect are remarkable. He's a league above his peers and competion. Follow his instructions and heed his advice. Not many people are built for this type of work. Kevin Col...

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