Not every criminal defense law firm is created equal. Every lawyer, regardless of their chosen area of practice, specializes in select legal issues. This is true even of a criminal defense law firm. If you ever need a Fort Bend County DWI Defense Attorney, you mustn’t just hire the first attorney who pops up in the search results.
You’ll want to narrow down your options to only those that handle your unique issues. Doing so is imperative, as criminal charges run the gamut from petty theft to DWI and from sex offenses to homicide.
Though most law firms will not take on cases with which they have little to no experience, if you happen to come across an overzealous lawyer, their lack of experience could cost you.
The Practice Areas of Your Fort Bend Criminal Defense Law Firm
In most cases, the practice pages on the website of a criminal defense attorney Fort Bend should give you insight into their areas of expertise. Some common areas within criminal defense are as follows.
DWI
Drunk driving is a pervasive and deadly problem throughout the United States. In Texas alone, one-quarter of individuals who claim never to have driven drunk have been caught and charged with a DWI. Of the individuals charged, 13% have served jail time. Texas drivers have more than a one in 10 chance of being involved in a drunk driving collision.
To put a stop to drunk driving, Texas lawmakers come down hard on the accused. A first offense can result in up to six months in jail, up to $2,000 in fines, and a driver’s license loss. Each subsequent violation carries harsher penalties. If a child is in the vehicle at the time of the arrest, the offender faces aggravated charges of child endangerment. Because there is a lot at stake regarding DUI/DWI charges, individuals will be hard-pressed to find a Fort Bend County criminal lawyer who does not offer a drunk driving defense.
Drug Possession
Drug possession charges run the gamut and range from simple possession to possession with the intent to sell, manufacture or deliver. The latter charge is also known as “drug trafficking.”
Texas law classifies drug charges as either misdemeanors or felonies. It further categorizes them by class, with Class A and Class B misdemeanors being minor drug offenses. However, even misdemeanor drug offenses — which typically entail the simple possession of marijuana — can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. The most severe charges can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and life in prison.
Not all criminal defense attorneys can effectively defend clients against drug charges, especially those of a higher class. If the state charged you with a serious drug offense, retain the counsel of a criminal defense attorney Fort Bend who has a track record of successfully defending the most severe crimes.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence encompasses a host of crimes, ranging from emotional abuse to sexual assault to stalking. Threats may also constitute domestic violence, withholding access to medications, or abusing a family member’s or roommate’s finances. 
What distinguishes acts of domestic violence from other criminal offenses is the victim and/or the setting of the offense. A crime to become domestic violence must occur in a domestic environment, such as within a family home or within a marriage. Victims can be children, spouses, elderly parents, roommates, former partners, or even partners of former partners.
Texas law treats domestic violence charges much more seriously than it does their non-domestic counterparts. For this reason, if you face these types of charges, it would be in your best interests to retain a criminal defense law firm that has specific experience with domestic issues.
Other Practice Areas Common of a Fort Bend Criminal Defense Law Firm
Some attorneys specialize in niche areas of the law, making them highly sought-after counsel for individuals and families across the state. Some such areas include juvenile criminal defense, underage DWI defense, and marijuana possession defense. Other niche areas include expunction and help with suspended licenses.
Contact Our Fort Bend County Criminal Lawyer
Suppose you face criminal charges of any kind. In that case, it is in your best interests to retain the counsel of a criminal defense attorney in Fort Bend who has ample experience with the specific charges against you. Schedule a free consultation with our law firm to see if we are a good fit for you. At the very least, we can refer you to an attorney who can help protect your rights and your freedom. We offer services in Needville, Rosenberg, Sugar Land, and in the rest of the Fort Bend county such as Katy.
Practice Areas of a Criminal Defense Law Firm | David Hunter Law Firm — Sugar Land, Texas
