Austin Lawyer
Austin Lawyer
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Texas Constitution Excerpts
Article 1 - BILL OF RIGHTS
That the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government
may be recognized and established, we declare:
Section 1 - FREEDOM AND SOVEREIGNTY OF STATE
Texas is a free and independent State, subject only to the Constitution
of the United States, and the maintenance of our free institutions and
the perpetuity of the Union depend upon the preservation of the right
of local self-government, unimpaired to all the States.
Section 2 - INHERENT POLITICAL POWER; REPUBLICAN FORM OF
GOVERNMENT
All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments
are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The
faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican
form of government, and, subject to this limitation only, they have at
all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government
in such manner as they may think expedient.
Section 3 - EQUAL RIGHTS
All free men, when they form a social compact, have equal rights, and
no man, or set of men, is entitled to exclusive separate public emoluments,
or privileges, but in consideration of public services.
Section 3a - EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW
Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex,
race, color, creed, or national origin. This amendment is self-operative.
(Added Nov. 7, 1972.)
Section 5 - WITNESSES NOT DISQUALIFIED BY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS;
OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS
No person shall be disqualified to give evidence in any of the Courts
of this State on account of his religious opinions, or for the want of
any religious belief, but all oaths or affirmations shall be administered
in the mode most binding upon the conscience, and shall be taken subject
to the pains and penalties of perjury.
Section 9 - SEARCHES AND SEIZURES
The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions,
from all unreasonable seizures or searches, and no warrant to search any
place, or to seize any person or thing, shall issue without describing
them as near as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath
or affirmation
Section 10 - RIGHTS OF ACCUSED IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS
In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have a speedy public trial
by an impartial jury. He shall have the right to demand the nature and
cause of the accusation against him, and to have a copy thereof. He shall
not be compelled to give evidence against himself, and shall have the
right of being heard by himself or counsel, or both, shall be confronted
by the witnesses against him and shall have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor, except that when the witness resides out of the
State and the offense charged is a violation of any of the anti-trust
laws of this State, the defendant and the State shall have the right to
produce and have the evidence admitted by deposition, under such rules
and laws as the Legislature may hereafter provide; and no person shall
be held to answer for a criminal offense, unless on an indictment of a
grand jury, except in cases in which the punishment is by fine or imprisonment,
otherwise than in the penitentiary, in cases of impeachment, and in cases
arising in the army or navy, or in the militia, when in actual service
in time of war or public danger. (Amended Nov. 5, 1918.)
Section 11 - BAIL
All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital
offenses, when the proof is evident; but this provision shall not be so
construed as to prevent bail after indictment found upon examination of
the evidence, in such manner as may be prescribed by law.
Section 15 - RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY
The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. The Legislature shall
pass such laws as may be needed to regulate the same, and to maintain
its purity and efficiency. Provided, that the Legislature may provide
for the temporary commitment, for observation and/or treatment, of mentally
ill persons not charged with a criminal offense, for a period of time
not to exceed ninety (90) days, by order of the County Court without the
necessity of a trial by jury. (Amended Aug. 24, 1935.)
Section 19 - DEPRIVATION OF LIFE, LIBERTY, ETC.; DUE COURSE
OF LAW
No citizen of this State shall be deprived of life, liberty, property,
privileges or immunities, or in any manner disfranchised, except by the
due course of the law of the land.
Section 23 - RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful
defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power,
by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime
Section 30 - RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS
(a) A crime victim has the following rights:
(1) the right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's
dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process; and
(2) the right to be reasonably protected from the accused throughout the
criminal justice process.
(b) On the request of a crime victim, the crime victim has the following
rights:
(1) the right to notification of court proceedings;
(2) the right to be present at all public court proceedings related to
the offense, unless the victim is to testify and the court determines
that the victim's testimony would be materially affected if the victim
hears other testimony at the trial;
(3) the right to confer with a representative of the prosecutor's office;
(4) the right to restitution; and
(5) the right to information about the conviction, sentence, imprisonment,
and release of the accused.
(c) The legislature may enact laws to define the term "victim"
and to enforce these and other rights of crime victims.
(d) The state, through its prosecuting attorney, has the right to enforce
the rights of crime victims.
(e) The legislature may enact laws to provide that a judge, attorney for
the state, peace officer, or law enforcement agency is not liable for
a failure or inability to provide a right enumerated in this section.
The failure or inability of any person to provide a right or service enumerated
in this section may not be used by a defendant in a criminal case as a
ground for appeal or post-conviction writ of habeas corpus. A victim or
guardian or legal representative of a victim has standing to enforce the
rights enumerated in this section but does not have standing to participate
as a party in a criminal proceeding or to contest the disposition of any
charge. (Added Nov. 7, 1989.)
Source: Texas Legislature
Choosing a Lawyer
Do I really need to hire a lawyer in Austin? This is the first question you need to ask yourself. In many cases you may be able to handle the situation without hiring a lawyer. If it is a small problem that can be managed without the consultation of a professional you may be able to save a considerable amount of money. If it is a serious situatuion than it is important that you speak with a good lawyer as soon as possible to avoid any long term problems..
Where can I find the best Austin lawyers? There are many ways to find a great lawyer online that is local to your area. You can search in directories online where a great deal of information is available about each law firm and partner. You can also check with local associations for referrals and recommendations. While every issue is important there is one final question you should ask yourself before hiring a lawyer in Austin. Are you comfortable with that lawyer and are you confident in their abilities? If the answer is anything other than a resounding "yes " you should keep looking for the lawyer that is right for you.
Lawyers typically specialize in the following fields:
- Administrative Law
- Agriculture Law
- Antitrust & Trade Regulation
- Banking Law
- Bankruptcy Law
- Civil Rights
- Commercial Law
- Communications Law
- Constitutional Law
- Construction Law
- Contracts
- Corporation & Enterprise Law
- Criminal Law
- Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
- Education Law
- Entertainment & Sports Law
- Environmental Law
- Family Law
- Gaming Law
- Health Law
- Immigration Law
- Injury and Tort Law
- Insurance Law
- Intellectual Property
- International Law
- Labor & Employment Law
- Litigation
- Military Law
- Probate, Trusts & Estates
- Property Law & Real Estate
- Securities Law
- Tax Law
- Transportation Law
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