Man in Texas

Pedro Guajardo Cura, 53, was jailed in Texas after authorities say he showed up at a car crash scene wearing a green vest and pretending to be an attorney.

Charged with barratry

Cura has been charged with barratry, defined as 'the act of encouraging lawsuits between others in order to create legal business for one's personal gain and profit.'

“the act of encouraging lawsuits between others in order to create legal business for one's personal gain and profit”

Not a licensed attorney

Cura was reportedly not an attorney and had nothing to do with the car crash.

Crash location

The crash happened in the 500 block of North Sam Houston Parkway West, just north of downtown Houston.

Law enforcement response

Harris County Precinct 4 deputies responded to a 'major accident' and encountered Cura engaging in unlawful solicitation.

Green vest with phone number

Cura wore a green vest with his phone number on it while offering to help drivers with their cases.

Arrested and booked

Cura was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail with a bond set at $10,000.

Magistrate's warning

The magistrate warned Cura that there is 'a real danger in this type of behavior because you're talking to people who have just been in an accident and in a vulnerable state.'

“a real danger in this type of behavior because you're talking to people who have just been in an accident and in a vulnerable state”

Language barrier

The people involved were speaking Spanish and could have been particularly reliant on someone offering help.

Magistrate's fraud comment

The magistrate said, 'Claiming you have legal knowledge and can help somebody is illegal because there is a specific level of trust that is conferred upon people of authority, which includes lawyers.'

“claiming you have legal knowledge and can help somebody is illegal because there is a specific level of trust that is conferred upon people of authority, which includes lawyers”

Constable's criticism

Constable Mark Herman chastised Cura for allegedly taking advantage of accident victims.

Law enforcement stance

Herman said, 'Accident victims should never be pressured or taken advantage of during an already stressful situation.'

“accident victims should never be pressured or taken advantage of during an already stressful situation”

What happens next

Cura will face charges for barratry and could be sentenced to jail time.