Law Office of Amanda Skillern, PLLC
By: Amanda Skillern PLLC Read Time: 7 minutes
In Texas, civil asset forfeiture lets law enforcement and prosecutors seize property believed to be connected to crime, even when no criminal charge or conviction follows. Chapter 59 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure creates a civil procedure for forfeiture: the state must show probable cause to justify the seizure and then prove byRead More
By: Amanda Skillern PLLC Read Time: 7 minutes
Aggravated assault is one of the most serious charges you can face in Texas. Unlike simple assault, which involves threats or minor physical contact, aggravated assault is treated as a violent felony. It usually involves the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon but can also be charged when someone has suffered serious bodily injury.Read More
By: Amanda Skillern PLLC Read Time: 6 minutes
You grab your car keys and head out of the house, expecting to run a quick errand before dinner. As you back out of your driveway, your neighbor rushes over, shouting about a broken fence post near your property line. He’s convinced you damaged it earlier in the week, even though you know you didn’t.Read More
By: Amanda Skillern PLLC Read Time: 8 minutes
In April 2025, FBI Dallas seized approximately 20 Bitcoins from a cryptocurrency address allegedly associated with a member of the Chaos ransomware group. In July, the United States Department of Justice released an announcement stating that it had filed a civil complaint seeking the forfeiture of the amount seized, which is now valued at overRead More
By: Amanda Skillern PLLC Read Time: 10 minutes
You’re driving to a job site when a police officer pulls you over for not using your turn signal. You explain you’re headed to Houston to pay for building supplies. The officer asks to search your vehicle and, unsure of your rights, you agree. He doesn’t find drugs or weapons, but he does find $6,000Read More
