Posted on August 26, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Anything from a bar fight to a domestic dispute can lead to assault charges. It's important to understand that assault is a serious criminal offense that often results in life-changing consequences. Your personal reputation, professional career, and very freedom are on the line. If you've been accused of assault, make sure to contact a criminal defense lawyer for help right away.

Defense Strategies for People Accused of Assault

There are a number of ways to defend against assault or aggravated assault charges. The most common defenses used by criminal defense lawyers include self-defense, defense of others, and lack of intent.

• Self-defense is when you use force against someone else in order to protect yourself from harm. In order for this defense to be successful, you must have reasonably believed that you were in danger of being hurt or killed and that using force was the only way to protect yourself.

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 Posted on August 19, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Many people are surprised to learn that the act of planning a criminal offense with another person is, itself, a crime. Talking with another individual about a planned offense can lead to criminal charges for conspiracy – even if you did not follow through with the plan.

Federal criminal charges are often penalized by significant prison terms and other harsh consequences. If you or a loved one are facing charges for conspiracy or another federal offense, it is crucial that you speak to a lawyer right away. Do not consent to police interrogation or discuss the alleged offense with anyone other than your attorney. You have important rights, including the right to avoid self-incrimination, and you need to assert those rights immediately.

Understanding Conspiracy Charges

Federal law states that the crime of conspiracy occurs when:

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 Posted on August 15, 2022 in Attorney Writ Bonds

When a criminal suspect is arrested, they are taken into police custody where they must wait until they are brought before a judge and their bail is set. Most people who are arrested are everyday people with jobs, responsibilities, and family obligations. They do not have time to wait 24-48 hours in jail, nor do they want to. A Writ of Habeas Corpus, usually called an “attorney writ bond” or “writ bond” for short, is a special type of bond that allows an arrested person to get out of police custody or jail almost immediately.

Offenses in Collin County That Qualify for an Attorney Writ Bond

Licensed attorneys in Collin County have the authority to get a criminal suspect released from jail even if the person has not appeared before a judge. Most Class A and Class B misdemeanors are eligible for a writ bond. The main exceptions to this are family violence offenses. Only attorneys can secure a writ bond, not bail bondsmen.

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 Posted on August 10, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Working with a criminal defense lawyer is one of the best ways to ensure that you have the legal advocacy you need when facing criminal charges. Whether you were arrested for assault, drunk driving, theft, or even homicide, a criminal defense lawyer’s job is to bring the strongest possible defense against the charges. However, with so many criminal defense lawyers practicing in the Collin County area, it can be hard to know which attorney is right for you. If you or a loved one were charged with a crime, make sure to ask a lawyer these questions before hiring him or her.

How Much Legal Experience Do You Have?

Lawyers often need upwards of seven years of college to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and be qualified to practice law. However, all of the education in the world cannot beat the benefits of real-world experience. Make sure your prospective attorney has ample experience defending clients in criminal cases. Moreover, ensure that the lawyer has experience handling the type of charges that you are currently facing. If you are facing murder charges, a defense lawyer who only has experience with misdemeanor crimes may not be qualified to handle your case.

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 Posted on July 28, 2022 in Criminal Defense

For many people, the last time they thought about the U.S. Constitution was in high school history class. We do not often think about how the Constitution affects our daily lives, but this document has a profound impact on our rights. If you were accused of a criminal offense, it is crucial that you understand your rights in this situation. It is even more important that assert those rights in order to protect yourself and your future.

You Have the Right to Avoid Self-Incrimination

Self-incrimination refers to the act of incriminating yourself or implicating yourself in a crime. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution states that a criminal defendant cannot be compelled to testify against himself or herself. You may have heard someone say “I plead the fifth,” which means that they are choosing not to answer a question or reveal certain information. Our right to avoid self-incrimination is the basis of our right to remain silent and avoid answering police questions during an interrogation.

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 Posted on July 25, 2022 in Criminal Defense

If you have not had much involvement with the Texas criminal justice system, you may be unfamiliar with many of the terms used by court officials and lawyers. Plea deals or plea bargains are often misunderstood by individuals accused of criminal offenses. Many people are unsure of what a plea bargain is, let alone whether they should take the deal or not.

If you were charged with driving while intoxicated, drug possession or drug distribution, theft, assault, or another criminal offense, it is important to understand how a plea bargain may influence your case.

Plea Bargaining in Texas Criminal Cases

When someone is charged with a criminal offense, this means that he or she is formally accused of the offense by the state. In the United States, individuals are assumed to be innocent until the state proves that they are guilty.

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 Posted on July 18, 2022 in Family Violence

In Texas, crimes against a family or household member are subject to increased penalties. Assault family violence, domestic assault, and related offenses may be considered misdemeanors or felony offenses depending on the circumstances of the offense and the alleged offender’s criminal history. Sometimes, family violence convictions are punished by significant prison time.

If you or a loved one are facing accusations of domestic violence, abuse, or another crime, do not wait to take action. Contact a criminal defense attorney for help right away.

Understand What You Are Up Against

Conviction for any type of violent offense can have a lasting impact on the convicted person. If you are convicted of abuse or domestic violence against a spouse, partner, ex-partner, family member, or household member, you could suffer irreparable damage to your personal and professional reputation. You could face months or years in jail.

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 Posted on July 12, 2022 in Drug Charges

When it comes to the legality of marijuana and cannabis products, state laws vary wildly. In Texas, the use, sale, or cultivation of marijuana is illegal. Medical marijuana containing low levels of THC is available for certain individuals diagnosed with medical conditions like epilepsy. However, medical marijuana users must receive a prescription from a physician and get the marijuana product from a licensed dispensary.

Regular Texans are prohibited from selling or otherwise distributing marijuana flower or THC products like edibles. If you or a loved one were charged with marijuana distribution, seek advice from a drug crimes defense lawyer right away.

Collin County Marijuana Distribution Charges

Selling even a small amount of marijuana flower, edibles, or other cannabis products can lead to criminal charges in Texas. The severity of the charges depends on the amount of cannabis allegedly sold.

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 Posted on June 29, 2022 in DWI

Police officers have a substantial amount of authority in the United States. However, police authority is not unlimited. Officers must adhere to certain rules and procedures during arrests and investigations. When police make procedural errors or other mistakes, it can have a significant impact on the outcome of a case. If you were arrested for driving while intoxicated, it is important to understand how improper police actions can improve your chances of avoiding conviction.

Lack of Justification for Traffic Stop

Individuals in the United States have a right to a certain level of privacy. Police and other government officials cannot detain people without justification. To pull a driver over for a traffic stop, police must have a reasonable suspicion that the driver committed a traffic violation or other crime. If a DWI arrest follows a traffic stop for which there was no justification, the charges could be dismissed.

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 Posted on June 23, 2022 in DWI

Driving while intoxicated is a criminal offense in Texas. If convicted of DWI, an individual faces major consequences, including jail time. If an individual causes an accident in which someone is injured while under the influence, he or she can face charges for intoxication assault. DWI involving bodily injury or intoxication assault may involve drunk driving, drugged driving, or intoxicated operation of a boat or airplane. DWI resulting in serious bodily injury is a felony offense in Texas. If you or a loved one were charged with intoxication assault, speak to a criminal defense lawyer for help right away.

Drunk Driving That Results in Serious Bodily Injury

Alcohol, drugs, or even prescription medication can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. Because of this, states have passed legislation prohibiting intoxicated driving. DWI is punishable by three to 180 days’ incarceration, probation, community service, and steep fines for a first-time offense in Texas. However, if an intoxicated driver causes a crash in which someone is seriously hurt, the penalties are much more severe.

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