Texas Crime Trends in 2019 and 2020
Violent Crimes on the Rise in Lubbock The numbers don’t lie — the Texas Department of Public Safety recently released its 2019 crime report, which shows trends for cities and counties with more than 50,000 residents. This includes several West Texas areas served by Chappell, Lanehart & Stangl from our downtown Lubbock office. Amarillo (-8%), Midland…
Caprock Chronicle on The Payne-Rippy Feud
Chuck Lanehart's latest Caprock Chronicle on murder in the Crosby County courthouse sounds like a Hollywood movie. However, the true events took place in the early 1920's and involve bootlegging moonshine, a poker game and a feud between rival farmers. The main star of the story, David Leonard Payne is nicknamed "Poppin" and survives a…
Defendant with Bad Psychedelic Trip Avoids Penalty and Clears Criminal Record
Recently, Chuck Lanehart defended a 20-year-old college student enrolled in a pre-med program. He was camping with friends in a rural county at a Texas state park and took LSD. Unfortunately, he had a “bad trip” and appeared to be having a mental breakdown. Worried for his safety, his friends called 911. Police arrived and…
Caprock Chronicles: General Custer in the Texas Panhandle
In this week's Caprock Chronicle, Chuck Lanehart sheds light on General Armstrong Custer and his success at invading Native American territories in the South Plains and Texas panhandle. Several years prior to the infamous "Custer's Last Stand", Custer was tasked with recovering two American girls held captive and forcing Plain Indians into reservations. Newly appointed…
Recent Results for Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyers: Chuck and Fred
Chuck Negotiates for Modified Probation Due to Coronavirus Pandemic Chuck Lanehart's client was on probation for a second-degree felony, but continued to suffer from substance-abuse problems. To avoid having his probation revoked, the client agreed to go to SAFPF. A Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facility is a six-month in-prison treatment program followed by up to…
Lafitte, Lynching and Electrocution to Lethal Injection
It was my privilege to present “Lafitte, Lynching and Electrocution to Lethal Injection: The Sad and Sordid History of Texas Executions.” In July and August, the presentation was given to more than 200 lawyers across the state via Zoom and GoToMeeting, including the Dallas Bar Association and the Criminal Law Institute. View a preview (first…
Texas Marijuana Possession and Felony THC Case Dismissed
Chuck Lanehart's client was very happy to hear from him today. Not only was the client's misdemeanor possession of marijuana case dismissed, the client's felony possession of THC was rejected by the prosecutor. Pulled Over in Panhandle, Caught with Cannabis Several months ago, the client was driving through a rural South Plains county, moving from…
Pretrial Diversion Secured for Three Lubbock DWI Offenses
The end of July was very memorable for three of Chuck Lanehart's Lubbock County DWI clients. All three were scheduled for a contested pretrial hearing and had put their lives on hold. As first time offenders without a criminal record, all three received pretrial diversions. Pretrial Diversion is different from deferred adjudication, and we have…
The Richest Family in the World Charged with Federal Crime
Attorney Chuck Lanehart uncovers a high profile trial in Lubbock's history in this week's Caprock Chronicle. Part one explores the Hunt family, and how two brothers and heirs to the Hunt oil fortune became entangled in controversy. Starting in 1969, private detectives were hired by Bunker and Herbert Hunt. Illegal wiretaps were placed on executives…
Virtual Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Each year shortly before July 4, members of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) gather on courthouse steps throughout the state to honor the Declaration of Independence. They read the great document to celebrate our American freedoms and the real meaning of Independence Day. It is a tradition unlike any other in the nation.…
