Law Office of John M. Helms

06/01/2026

Texas death penalty cases are shaped long before opening statements begin. This post explains how jury selection works in capital murder trials, why “death penalty-qualified” juries matter, and how that process can influence the outcome of a case like Tanner Horner’s.

https://johnhelms.attorney/tanner-horner-death-penalty/

A closer look at the Tanner Horner death penalty case and how Texas “death-qualified” juries are selected, often creating juries more likely to support capital punishment.

05/16/2026

Learn how taking an anger management course after a family violence allegation is unlikely to be used as evidence of guilt under Texas law and how strategic legal guidance can protect your defense while you take proactive steps to move forward.

A person who is accused of family violence should be able to get the help the person may need without fear of hurting their defense in a criminal case.

Read more here: https://johnhelms.attorney/family-violence-cases-in-texas-if-i-take-anger-management-after-the-incident-can-it-be-used-against-me/

05/13/2026

Learn how a Temporary Emergency Protective Order is imposed after a family violence arrest in Texas, the strict limitations it places on your daily life, the serious consequences of violating it, and the strategic legal pathways available to request a modification while protecting your rights and freedom.

In Texas, if you have been arrested for a family violence offense, you almost certainly have a Temporary Emergency Protective Order (“TEPO”) against you. A TEPO is almost automatic when there is an arrest for family violence in Texas.

Read more here: https://johnhelms.attorney/how-to-fight-a-tepo-temporary-emergency-protective-order-in-texas-after-a-family-violence-arrest/

04/30/2026

Dallas criminal appeals lawyer John Helms explains why a trial attorney’s understanding of appeals can make or break a case. He warns that failing to properly preserve errors during trial can prevent appeals courts from reviewing serious mistakes, leaving defendants with no path to challenge a conviction.
https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/healthcare/articles/dallas-criminal-appeals-lawyer-john-172700906.html

In a new video, the veteran Texas criminal defense attorney breaks down how failing to preserve errors at trial can destroy a defendant's chances on appeal. Dallas Criminal Appeals Lawyer John Helms Explains Why Appeals Expertise Is the Most Overlooked Factor When Choosing a Trial Attorney In a new....

04/28/2026

Understand how federal prosecutors build cases around embezzlement, securities fraud, and money laundering, the serious financial and reputational consequences involved, and the critical defense strategies an experienced attorney can use to protect your rights and future.

Blog: Three Top White-Collar Crimes: Understanding Their Impact and Legal Ramifications

White-collar crimes, which often involve deception and financial manipulation, have far-reaching consequences for individuals, corporations, and the broader economy. These offenses typically occur in professional settings. They exploit trust and authority to enable fraud or financial mismanagement. Despite lacking the physical violence associated with other crimes, white-collar offenses can leave lasting scars on victims, undermining livelihoods and trust in institutions.

Read more here: http://johnhelms.attorney/three-top-white-collar-crimes-understanding-their-impact-and-legal-ramifications/

04/24/2026

Learn how Attorney John Helms, a Dallas Criminal Appeals Lawyer, talks about the appeals process in criminal cases.

Question: Can you tell us a little bit about what the timeline is for the appeals process to work its way through in the federal system versus the state system?

Answer: Sure, the time estimates for the state court system and the federal court system are a little bit different. In both systems, there is not a deadline or a time limit. Where the Court of Appeals has a certain amount of time and then a deadline to write an opinion and decide a case. They don’t have deadlines. They get their opinions out. On their own pace. So in both systems, there’s not a deadline.

Learn more about State & Federal Appeals here: https://johnhelms.attorney/state-federal-appeals/

04/20/2026

Discover why choosing a trial attorney with appellate expertise can directly impact your case outcome by ensuring critical errors are preserved, strategic decisions are informed by potential appeals, and your rights remain protected at every stage of the legal process.

Watch now: https://johnhelms.attorney/video-why-appeals-expertise-is-critical-when-choosing-a-trial-attorney/.

If you are facing serious charges, take control of your defense today by speaking with an experienced attorney who understands both trial and appeal strategy: https://johnhelms.attorney/request-consultation/.

Rated Best Dallas criminal appeals attorney, John Helms demystifies expertise in the appellate process.

04/13/2026

Learn how Texas family violence cases actually work, including what legally qualifies as family violence, how charges move forward regardless of personal wishes, the real consequences for your record and rights, and why early legal representation can make a meaningful difference in defending your case.

Q: So what types of behaviors are even considered family violence in Texas?

A: Well, Texas considers behaviors as family violence if they involve threats of violence or any type of touching that might be considered offensive to someone or that might cause bodily injury or serious bodily injury.

Learn more about family violence cases in Texas here: https://johnhelms.attorney/family-violence-law-in-texas/

04/06/2026

Learn how federal white collar cases actually work, including what qualifies as a financial crime, how intent and evidence are evaluated, why early legal intervention matters, and what practical steps you should take if you are under investigation to protect your position and outcome.

Q: So what are the most common defenses that get used in white collar crime cases?

A: Well, the defenses depend on the type of case and the facts of the case. But common defenses would include things like the person who is accused of the crime was not aware of what was going on. The person accused of the crime was telling the truth as best the person knew it, the accused or defendant did not intend to deceive anyone. Very often in cases like investment fraud or securities fraud or things like that, where you have someone who is promoting an investment opportunity, and it doesn't work out, and people lose money, a very common defense is that it's not a crime to have a business venture that doesn't succeed. And so despite the best efforts of the people promoting the investment, it just didn't pan out. But that doesn't mean there was a crime involved.
So those are very common defenses that you see.

Learn more about white collar crime cases here: https://johnhelms.attorney/white-collar-crime/

03/23/2026

Question: Can you tell us a little bit about how the state laws and the federal laws treat the issue of fentanyl?

Answer: Fentanyl is illegal to possess without a prescription. Under both state and federal laws, it’s treated like I mean, it’s a controlled substance under both state and federal laws. So you can’t possess it and you can’t distribute it and you can’t work with other people in a network to distribute it. So it’s treated very similarly. To other illegal drugs like he**in or co***ne or methamphetamine.

Learn more about fentanyl and its legal issues here: https://johnhelms.attorney/video-understanding-fentanyl/