Good Dog Media | September 23, 2020 | Criminal Defense

Homero Escobar, Jr. was just 16 years old when he was gunned down in Arcadia Park in west Oak Cliff on July 23, 2020. He was known to his family and friends as Bubba. The tragic shooting has not been solved.

Witnesses told police that they saw three males driving away in a tan sedan. Dallas police said that a juvenile is wanted, but that no arrests have been made to date. Bubba’s parents said the police officers told them that police interviewed two juveniles, but both were released.

According to his family, Bubba was a hard-working young man. He worked part-time at Subway. He got a job at McDonald’s when he could not work enough hours at Subway. 

Bubba’s family fondly remembers the young man that he was and what he meant to their family. He was funny and made them laugh. He had a younger and an older sibling. 

The shooting occurred less than a 10-minute walk from Bubba’s home. His family said that he often played basketball at the park.

Twenty teenagers have been killed in Dallas in 2020, including Bubba. The youngest teenager to be killed this year was 13 years old. By the end of August, Dallas police officers had investigated more than 150 homicides in the city. 

Dallas Violent Crimes Rise Despite Attempts to Lower Crime Rates

The Dallas Police Department initiated a plan in January to decrease violent crime in Dallas. The goal was to reduce overall violent crime by five percent. However, that has not been the case.

Violent crimes have increased in Dallas in 2020, especially in July. Records from the Dallas Police Department show a 108 percent increase in homicides in July from the same period last year. 

Aggravated assaults, non-family violence, increased by 25 percent in July from the same time last year. Year-to-date, the rate has increased 30 percent from the same time last year.

There are many reasons why violent crime rates could be increasing. Some sources believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is a factor. The stress from the pandemic could cause tempers to flare, but that would only be one factor.

According to Major Rhodes of the Dallas PD, many of the victims of homicide and assault knew their attackers. He said people are not social distancing. They are assembling on the weekends, and when tempers flare, they do not know how to resolve their issues other than resorting to violence. 

Whatever the reason might be, the fact remains that violent crime has increased substantially in Dallas during 2020. Many residents are calling for something to be done. The problem is knowing what should be done to reduce the number of violent crimes in the city.

Avoiding situations in which tempers may flare may be one of the best ways to avoid criminal charges. While protests and gatherings may begin peacefully, tempers can flare. Things can get out of hand very quickly, which can lead to violent outbursts.

In many cases, the violence takes place after dark. If you are going to gather to protest, it may be best to make sure that you leave the area before nightfall to avoid the possibility of being caught up in a situation in which other people are committing violent crimes. 

Making sure that you are not in situations and areas in which violent crimes are increasing is another way to avoid being a victim or being accused of committing a violent crime. While you cannot predict what will happen in any situation, it can help to avoid situations that could lead to violence. 

Defending Yourself Against Criminal Charges

If you are arrested on criminal charges in Dallas, you need to understand your rights and your options for defending yourself. 

Courts and prosecutors may begin seeking maximum penalties for convictions as a way to discourage violent crimes within the city. That could make it much more difficult to work out plea agreements for defendants who want to resolve their cases without going to trial.

As soon as possible, talk with a criminal defense lawyer about the charges against you. Understanding the criminal charges is the first step in developing a defense strategy. For example, several different crimes fall under the umbrella of drug crimes, sex crimes, and theft crimes.

A criminal defense lawyer can help you determine whether the charge against you applies in your case. Does the evidence support the charge in your case, or does the evidence support a lesser charge? If the evidence supports a lesser charge, the attorney may be able to negotiate a plea agreement that involves a reduction in the charges.

Trying to handle the criminal charges without the assistance of an experienced defense lawyer may result in harsher penalties. It is wise to talk with a lawyer before making any decisions about your case. 

To learn more, call our criminal defense law firm at (972) 424-0760 or visit our contact us page to send us an email.