If you are convicted of a crime in Granbury, you may receive very strict penalties that can completely alter your life. You could lose your ability to secure a job, housing, and education as the result of a misdemeanor offense, whether you’re guilty or not. One mistake can negatively affect your future, and you may be unaware of your options. It can be overwhelming to be convicted of a crime, regardless of severity, but with the right criminal lawyer by your side, they can ensure you live a full life.
At the Law Firm of William A. Walsh, we work diligently with our clients, providing them with professional and efficient service. For more than 20 years, our team has represented several clients who were charged with felonies and misdemeanors. The legal system in Texas can be complex, especially if you attempt to navigate the process alone. However, the process can be made easier with the help of a federal criminal attorney. By contacting us, we’ll examine your situation thoroughly and build a case. Then, we’ll be prepared to defend you in court in an attempt to lessen or eliminate your charges. Criminal law can be complicated, but we’re here to help.
No matter how many times you’ve been convicted, it can be daunting knowing what charges you could face. Our team can provide defense for many different types of criminal charges, and we intend to do everything we can to fight for your rights and lessen your charges.
We can provide defense for the following crimes:
- Drug-related offenses – The state of Texas can be very strict when it comes to drug-related offenses. The penalties can be staggering if you go into court unprepared, and you could potentially lose your job and housing over a conviction. There are various types of offenses for which you could be convicted, including selling drugs to a minor, drug manufacturing, and driving while intoxicated. Drug crimes can negatively affect the rest of your life and prevent you from achieving your goals, but our team can help.
- Alcohol offenses – Alcohol can impair your judgment and reaction times, and this can lead to severe consequences. For example, driving under the influence (DUI) in Texas can result in someone becoming seriously injured or killed, and you’ll face intense punishments for this. You could lose your license for at least two years, pay up to $2,000 in fines, and take mandatory DUI education. Dealing with alcohol charges can be complicated, especially if you have prior charges. However, you still have legal options available if you find yourself convicted of an alcohol-related charge.
- Sex crimes – Being accused or convicted of a sex crime is very serious, as this can follow you throughout the rest of your life. If you are convicted of a sex crime, you’ll have to register as a sex offender, which means you’ll be restricted in terms of internet privileges, traveling, and more. Sex offenses are taken very seriously in Granbury, and regardless of whether you’re guilty, you need an experienced attorney who can defend you in court. We can use various strategies to defend you against charges of sexual assault, public indecency, and more.
- Murder – Murder is arguably the most serious crime for which you can be convicted in the entire nation. Many individuals believe murder cases are straightforward, but this is simply not the case. Also, murder cases are classified differently than homicide cases, and it’s important to understand the differences. To be considered a murder case, the killing had to be intentional and unlawful, and the killer had to have acted with premeditation. It’s not recommended to go to federal court for a murder charge without any legal representation, and as serious as these cases are, you have options available.
- Homicide – Many people believe homicide and murder cases are the same, and while there are similarities, these are both classified differently. A case can be considered a homicide case if the killing was done in self-defense, if it was done in a war setting, or if it occurred due to reckless behavior. Just like murder charges, there are defenses that can be used in homicide cases, and it’s crucial you have a criminal defense attorney who can work with you to achieve the best results possible.
- Robbery and burglary – These two often get grouped together, and while both crimes are similar, they are classified differently in law. Burglary is defined as the intention of breaking into a home or building to steal or assault. Robbery is defined as the act of intentionally causing harm to another individual while a theft is occurring. Essentially, harm is the determining factor in classifying the crime as burglary or robbery. Even with these distinctions, it can still be complicated to navigate these cases. The differences between these two charges are minor, yet enough to change what penalties you could face. Our team of criminal defense attorneys can help you with your situation and defend you in court.
- Police brutality – We rely on our police officers to keep us safe from harm, and when a crime is committed, we expect law enforcement to use the appropriate amount of force if necessary. However, there are cases where police officers use excessive force, and it’s important to hold these officers accountable if they perform their job poorly. If you have been treated unfairly by police, there are defenses available to address this. Texas takes police brutality cases very seriously, and we’ll work with you to achieve the best outcome possible.
- Probation violations – For those in Granbury who have been charged with crimes in the past, they may receive probation as one of their penalties. You must follow your probation guidelines properly, and if you’re accused of violating the terms, you’ll want a lawyer who can defend you in court.
There are other offenses with which you could be charged, including assault, forgery, and more. Regardless of what you’ve been charged with and if you’re guilty or not, it’s crucial to have an attorney who can help. A criminal defense attorney can examine your case and help you lessen the penalties you could face.
When a crime is committed, it is considered either a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, but a misdemeanor on your record can still negatively affect your future. You can face heavy fines and jail time for a misdemeanor offense.
In Texas, there are three classes of misdemeanors.
- Class C – This type of misdemeanor is the least serious and usually given to less severe crimes, such as minor theft and shoplifting. You may not face any jail time, but will be required to pay a small fine for your crime.
- Class B – This misdemeanor is slightly more severe than Class C, but not the most serious. Your fine amount will increase, and you may spend up to a few months in jail. Class B misdemeanors are typically applied to DWI and harassment cases.
- Class A – This is the most severe class of misdemeanor, and this is usually accompanied by a year in jail as well as a significant fine. Crimes such as domestic violence or resisting arrest can result in a Class A misdemeanor.
If you are convicted of a more serious crime, such as theft or murder, then you will receive a felony on your record. There are five classes of felonies in Texas listed below from least to most severe.
- State jail – This is the least serious felony you can be charged with. You may have to pay a fine of up to $10,000 and serve up to two years in prison, which is more than the most serious misdemeanor charge. Crimes such as forgery and theft can fall into this category.
- Third-degree – If you are charged with a third-degree felony, you’ll still be required to pay a large fine, and you’ll serve anywhere from two to ten years in jail. Crimes such as tampering with evidence can be considered third-degree felonies.
- Second-degree – While you’ll still be required to pay a large fine, you may have to spend anywhere from 2 to 20 years in jail. This felony is usually reserved for manslaughter and robbery crimes.
- First-degree – This is the second-most severe felony you can receive, and you may be required to spend your life in prison. Otherwise, you’ll spend at least five years in prison and be forced to pay a large fine. Charges such as aggravated robbery and attempted murder fall into this type of felony.
- Capital – This is the most severe felony you can be charged with in Texas. If you are charged with capital murder or capital felony murder, you’ll be faced with the most severe penalties in the state. Your punishment can include life in prison without the possibility of parole, or you can be executed.
Texas takes crimes seriously, and you can receive very strict penalties if you don’t have the right legal assistance to support you. While you may receive harsh penalties regardless, a criminal defense attorney can work with you to lessen your charges as best as possible.
We’ve met many clients over the years who question the need for a criminal defense attorney. Many believe they can defend themselves in court, and others believe that having an attorney won’t help their situation. Even if you are clearly guilty of a crime such as homicide, the job of a criminal defense attorney is to protect your rights. An attorney will restlessly defend you in court and attack any evidence presented against you. An attorney will also work to reduce the penalties you could face, and this is very unlikely to do on your own.
Another reason to consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer is because of their knowledge of the legal system. Even if you have some knowledge about how certain crimes are classified, there are specific details that can be overlooked by the average individual. An attorney is fully aware of the situation you’re in and knows what defenses to use. It also helps to hire an attorney with many years of experience handling cases similar to yours. If a defense worked in the past, and you’re in a similar situation, your attorney may be able to use the same method to lessen your charges.
You may believe hiring an attorney isn’t worth the cost, but an experienced attorney can actually save you money. If you were to forgo hiring an attorney, you may receive very strict penalties that are difficult to manage for the rest of your life. Many of our clients have found it worth it to hire our services to mitigate the penalties. Rather than risk losing your job by not having legal representation, you can hire an attorney who can use their expertise to keep as much of your future as intact as possible.
Finally, a criminal defense attorney can address any questions or concerns you have. We know what kinds of penalties you could face for many different criminal cases, and we want to ensure you understand everything that could happen. We won’t simply tell you everything will be okay, as we’ll instead inform you of what you need to know to navigate this process effectively. If you are ever unclear on the process or what you should say or do, having an attorney you can refer to will allow you to make better decisions.
Being charged with a crime can be overwhelming, especially if you are innocent. No matter your situation, it’s important that you seek a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. This is to ensure you fully understand the situation and so your attorney can defend you in court. If you live in or near Granbury, Texas, our team can help.
The Law Firm of William A. Walsh is committed to providing clients with expert knowledge and professionalism. The legal system can be complicated for the average individual to navigate, but we can help. Contact us today if you’ve been charged with a crime in Granbury and need legal representation.
