Pearland Criminal Defense Attorney

Helping Clients Fight Back After Being Charged With Criminal Offenses

Whether you have made a mistake and found yourself facing criminal charges or have been blindsided by false accusations, it may feel like the whole world is against you.

Texas criminal law and the justice system can be overwhelming for those who lack legal training. Even misdemeanor charges can result in a criminal record. However, if you face felony charges, you could be sentenced to a lengthy time in prison and hefty fines.

Fortunately, being charged with a crime does not mean you have reached the end of the road. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately is in your best interest. A qualified defense attorney can review the state’s evidence to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the case. Additionally, a defense attorney may be able to negotiate with the prosecution to reach a plea agreement on reduced charges.

Regardless of your legal needs, contact The Kahn Law Firm, P.C. in Pearland, TX, and ask to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your legal needs and how we can help.

What Types of Cases Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Handle For Clients?

Criminal defense lawyers handle a variety of cases for clients who are facing misdemeanor or felony charges. Some of the most common criminal defense cases include:

Juvenile crimes
Domestic violence
Drug offenses
Weapons charges
Violent crimes such as homicide, sexual assault, or other sex crimes

Anyone charged with a criminal offense should never try to handle the case independently. The Texas criminal justice system can be overly complex, and failure to have skilled legal representation can result in negative life-altering consequences.

For example, convictions for weapons offenses or drug charges can result in felony convictions that can prevent defendants from achieving life goals such as enlisting in the military or attending the higher learning institution of their choice. You must obtain qualified legal counsel to avoid delaying your case and incurring more legal fees.

For more information about the types of cases our Pearland criminal defense attorneys handle, contact our law office today to schedule a consultation with a qualified legal team member who will gladly answer your questions.

What Happens if You Are Charged With a Crime in Texas?

Many steps occur before, during, and after someone is arrested, charged, convicted, and sentenced for a Texas crime. Texas criminal procedure begins with law enforcement gathering evidence against you during the investigation process. During this portion of the investigation, the police may use search warrants, interrogations, and other methods to justify a criminal charge and show they have enough probable cause to arrest someone.

If you know you are being investigated, contacting a criminal defense attorney now is best rather than waiting until after you are arrested. Once a suspect is arrested and booked, the next step is to appear before a judge for arraignment and bail. When the state presses formal charges, bail is set, and the suspect may plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

The suspect may go home and wait for pre-trial hearings if bail is paid. During these hearings, the prosecution and the defense meet and discuss various aspects of the case, and the defense may try to reach a plea bargain deal to avoid taking the case to trial.

The case moves on to a jury trial if no plea deal is reached. The trial may yield a verdict of guilty (which means the case moves on to sentencing) or not guilty. Defendants found guilty of their charges may appeal their verdict to the Texas Court of Appeals.

What Are the Differences Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor?

Texas has two types of criminal charges: felonies and misdemeanors. In technical terms, misdemeanors are less severe than felonies and are classified into three classes. A Class A misdemeanor is the most serious type and may result in a fine of up to $4000 and up to one year in jail. Carrying a gun without a permit or committing a burglary are examples of Class A misdemeanors. The least serious type of misdemeanor is Class C, which may result in a fine of up to $500 and no jail time. Public intoxication and criminal trespassing are examples of Class C misdemeanors.

Felonies are more serious crimes that may usually result in prison sentences. The least serious type of felony is a state jail felony, which may mean a fine of up to $10,000 and up to two years in state prison. Penalties get progressively harsher for third-, second-, and first-degree felonies (a first-degree felony could even mean life in prison). The most serious type of felony is a capital felony, which could mean life in prison without parole or even the death penalty.

However, anyone facing criminal charges should remember that they can result in fines and a permanent record and prevent them from obtaining specific jobs. Therefore, individuals charged in criminal cases must hire a defense attorney who will work to safeguard their freedom and reputation.

Does Texas Have the Death Penalty?

The state of Texas is said to have the third-largest death-row population in the nation after California and Florida. There are currently 186 inmates awaiting a death sentence in the state, including seven women. Defendants charged with a capital felony could be facing life in prison without the possibility of parole, and many end up being sentenced to death.

The number of people sentenced to death in Texas has decreased steadily since 1999, when as many as 49 people were given the death penalty. As of 2022, two people have been sentenced to death – one for the murder of a Harris County police officer in 2019 and the second one for murdering a woman and her unborn child in 2020.

Some criminal actions that qualify for the Texas penalty include:

Murder for hire
Murder of a child under the age of 15
Murder for the purposes of retaliation
Murder during or while attempting to engage in another felony, such as aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping or robbery

Regardless of the charges you may face, hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney to protect your legal rights is always in your best interest.

Is It Necessary to Hire an Attorney if I Was Charged With a Misdemeanor?

While Texas does have a death penalty, in reality, most criminal charges are less severe but can still have significant consequences, such as hefty fines and jail or prison time. Even if you are charged with a misdemeanor and can avoid jail time, you will still have a criminal record that may affect you for years to come, impacting your ability to obtain employment and housing and making it difficult to obtain specific professional licenses.

Individuals charged with a crime have the right to defend themselves and can choose to hire an attorney or self-represent. Many people may be tempted to choose the self-representation route, thinking that a misdemeanor is not serious, especially if they do not believe they may be sentenced to jail time.

However, it is essential to understand that this is a risky approach – choosing to represent yourself may lead you to make serious mistakes, such as giving in to the prosecution and accepting a plea bargain too soon rather than fighting back to get charges dropped. A criminal defense lawyer takes years to master the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the court system and help those charged with a crime to have a chance at a positive outcome. The safest choice is to hire a criminal defense lawyer as early as possible to maximize your chances of reaching a more favorable resolution for your case.

What Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do for Me?

When you choose to hire a criminal defense lawyer like the ones at the Kahn Law Firm, P.C., you can rest assured your lawyer will spring into action immediately and help you understand your charges, potential penalties, and the best route.

Every case is unique, so a lawyer can advise you on potential defense strategies for your case, such as questioning the legality of the evidence presented. For example, suppose you are facing a variety of drug-related charges after being pulled over by a police officer while driving home. The officer allegedly saw you driving erratically, and upon stopping your vehicle and conducting a search, they found marijuana and drug paraphernalia in your car.

A skilled criminal defense attorney could question whether the officer had enough probable cause to stop your vehicle. Suppose your attorney can convince the court that there was insufficient probable cause, and the search was illegal. In that case, any property apprehended during that search becomes inadmissible as evidence in court, often meaning your charges may be dropped.

If you have been charged with a crime in Pearland, Texas, or surrounding areas, it does not automatically mean you will be convicted, mainly if you act quickly and retain the help of an attorney.

Our Pearland, TX, law firm has a proven track record of helping clients obtain favorable outcomes for their criminal cases. Our attorneys will thoroughly analyze the state’s evidence to build a solid criminal defense case on your behalf. In many instances, our dedicated team of legal professionals can negotiate plea bargains or have charges dropped for clients.

Call the Kahn Law Firm, P.C., at 713-999-6549 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to get the legal help you need to protect your rights.