Types of Cases
DWI
Texas law treats those accused of Driving While Intoxicated harshly. A first time DWI offender faces a possible license suspension by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a maximum fine of $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail. Those individuals with prior convictions for D.W.I. face even stiffer penalties. Even bonding subsequent offenders out of jail before the initial court date becomes a dicey proposition in some cases. A third D.W.I. offense may be charged as a third degree felony, carrying a penalty of up to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Know Your Rights.
Felonies
Felony crimes are the most serious offenses under our criminal laws. A conviction of a felony offense can result in a substantial loss of one's freedom and privileges. A criminal defendant has the right to be represented by a lawyer and the right to be tried by a jury of twelve of his peers. In many felony cases, an individual is aware of a pending investigation before his case is presented to the grand jury. In some cases a lawyer may be able to help someone avoid indictment altogether by providing law enforcement or prosecutors a different look at the evidence. Sometimes the most valuable advice I can give is given before my client's case is presented to the grand jury for indictment.
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail, and a $4,000 fine for Class A Misdemeanors, and a $2,000 fine for Class B Misdemeanors. Misdemeanor cases are filed and prosecuted in the County Courts. A defendant has the right to represented by a lawyer and the right to be tried before a jury of six of his peers. Examples of Misdemeanor cases are D.W.I. , Assault, Theft (under $1,500), Assault, Reckless Driving, and Driving While License Suspended. While not as serious as a felony conviction, a misdemeanor conviction carries possible jail time and probably a significant amount of time on community supervision (commonly referred to as probation). Predictably, first time offenders fare the best in front of judges and juries."
Possession and Distribution of Controlled Substances
These types of charges result in some of the most interesting cases because they almost always involve the invocation of the constitutional right to be free from warrantless and/or unreasonable searches and seizures. Because of this constitutional dimension, this area of law is constantly evolving. Individuals accused of these types of crimes often find themselves pitted against the full strength of a vast array of governmental forces, and should seek legal counsel if there is even the slightest question about being a possible government target. In particular, the young face feel the brunt of the ever-increasing penalties in our nation's "War on Drugs", the consequences of which could follow them for the rest of their lives.
Federal
This region's proximity to Mexico and numerous military installations create a massive amount of Federal Criminal litigation. The Western District of Texas is one of the largest geographic regions within the Federal Court System, with courthouses in San Antonio, Austin, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, Pecos and Waco. If you have the slightest question about being a target of a Federal criminal investigation, seek legal counsel immediately.
Indigent Defense
The State Bar of Texas encourages Texas lawyers to represent people free of charge when the opportunity presents itself. In my practice I come across people who are without much hope, but manage to face unbelievable odds with remarkable courage. I undertake "pro-bono" representation of a limited number of these individuals each year.
Not Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
