HOUSTON TEXAS CRIMINAL LAW FIRM | HARRIS COUNTY DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

Sec. 12. HABEAS CORPUS. The writ of habeas corpus is a writ of right,
and shall never be suspended. The Legislature shall enact laws to
render the remedy speedy and effectual.
Sec. 13. EXCESSIVE BAIL OR FINES; CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT;
REMEDY BY DUE COURSE OF LAW. Excessive bail shall not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishment inflicted.
All courts shall be open, and every person for an injury done him, in his
lands, goods, person or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of
law.
Sec. 14. DOUBLE JEOPARDY. No person, for the same offense, shall be
twice put in jeopardy of life or liberty; nor shall a person be again put
upon trial for the same offense after a verdict of not guilty in a court of
competent jurisdiction.
Sec. 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.)

Sec. 15-a. COMMITMENT OF PERSONS OF UNSOUND MIND. No person
shall be committed as a person of unsound mind except on competent
medical or psychiatric testimony. The Legislature may enact all laws
necessary to provide for the trial, adjudication of insanity and
commitment of persons of unsound mind and to provide for a method of
appeal from judgments rendered in such cases. Such laws may provide
for a waiver of trial by jury, in cases where the person under inquiry has
not been charged with the commission of a criminal offense, by the
concurrence of the person under inquiry, or his next of kin, and an
attorney ad litem appointed by a judge of either the County or Probate
Court of the county where the trial is being held, and shall provide for a
method of service of notice of such trial upon the person under inquiry
and of
(Added Nov. 6, 1956.)

Sec. 16. BILLS OF ATTAINDER; EX POST FACTO OR RETROACTIVE LAWS;
IMPAIRING OBLIGATION OF CONTRACTS. No bill of attainder, ex post
facto law, retroactive law, or any law impairing the obligation of
contracts, shall be made.
Sec. 17. TAKING, DAMAGING, OR DESTROYING PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC
USE; SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES; CONTROL OF PRIVILEGES
AND FRANCHISES. No person's property shall be taken, damaged or
destroyed for or applied to public use without adequate compensation
being made, unless by the consent of such person; and, when taken,
except for the use of the State, such compensation shall be first made,
or secured by a deposit of money; and no irrevocable or uncontrollable
grant of special privileges or immunities, shall be made; but all privileges
and franchises granted by the Legislature, or created under its
authority shall be subject to the control thereof.
Sec. 18. IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT. No person shall ever be imprisoned
for debt.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 20. OUTLAWRY OR TRANSPORTATION FOR OFFENSE. No citizen shall
be outlawed. No person shall be transported out of the State for any
offense committed within the same. This section does not prohibit an
agreement with another state providing for the confinement of inmates
of this State in the penal or correctional facilities of that state.
(Amended Nov. 5, 1985.)

Sec. 21. CORRUPTION OF BLOOD; FORFEITURE; SUICIDES. No conviction
shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture of estate, and the estates of
those who destroy their own lives shall descend or vest as in case of
natural death.
Sec. 22. TREASON. Treason against the State shall consist only in
levying war against it, or adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and
comfort; and no person shall be convicted of treason except on the
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in
open court.
Sec. 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.
Sec. 24. MILITARY SUBORDINATE TO CIVIL AUTHORITY. The military shall
at all times be subordinate to the civil authority.
Sec. 25. QUARTERING SOLDIERS IN HOUSES. No soldier shall in time of
peace be quartered in the house of any citizen without the consent of
the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner prescribed by law.

Attorney Andy Nolen represents people who have been accused of a state crime or Houston law, including in communities such as League City,
Angleton, Pearland, Alvin, Clear Lake, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Baytown, Pasadena, Memorial, Spring Branch, River Oaks, West University, and
Bellaire. Counties that the Law Office of Andy Nolen serves include: Galveston County • Fort Bend County • Montgomery County • Brazoria County •
Harris County. Cases handled include: Probation Violations, Theft, Shoplifting, Drunk Driving, Evading Arrest, and all other Felonies and Misdemeanors.

Law Office of Criminal Attorney Andy Nolen
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HOUSTON CRIMINAL LAWYER
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