People accused of a crime in the United States are entitled to be represented by a Fort Bend criminal lawyer as part of their criminal defense. A criminal defense attorney near me can help you understand the crimes you have been charged with, investigate your case, negotiate a plea deal and defend you if your case goes to trial.
Cases Handled by a Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me: Assault
Assault is a threat of physical harm one individual makes towards another. Texas law defines assault in three different ways:
- Knowingly or intentionally threatening another person with imminent physical harm
- Intentionally, recklessly or knowingly injuring another person
- Knowingly or intentionally making physical contact with another person in an offensive or provocative manner
Penalties for Assault
Assault charges can be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony. A criminal defense attorney near me may be able to negotiate lesser charges in some cases.
Penalties for Misdemeanor Assault
Misdemeanors are generally cases where the assault did not cause a serious injury or involve a weapon. Misdemeanor convictions are classified as either A, B, or C. The penalty for a Class C misdemeanor is a fine of up to $500. Class B may result in a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail. A Class A conviction may result in up to $4,000 in fines and up to a year in jail.
Penalties for Felony Assault
Felony assault charges usually result from serious injuries or weapons and are classified as first, second, or third-degree. A third-degree felony conviction is subject to a fine of up to $10,000 and up to 10 years in jail. Second-degree assault increases the potential jail time to two to 20 years. A first-degree conviction ups the prison sentence to five years to life. A Fort Bend County criminal lawyer will secure a lighter sentence if you are convicted of a crime.
Cases Handled by a Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me: Driving While Intoxicated
Texas defines a DWI as any person over the age of 21 driving a vehicle that containing a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. Additionally, commercial drivers may face charges if their BAC is .04 or higher and the limit for those under the age of 21 is .02. A Fort Bend County criminal lawyer will build a defense for you based on potential inaccuracies in the BAC test methodology and other factors.
Penalties for DWI
First-time offenders face up to a $2,000 fine, loss of driver’s license for up to one year, and up to 180 days in jail. For a second offense, the fine increases to up to $4,000. In addition to this fine, you may also lose your license for up to two years and face one month up to one year in jail. For third offenses, the fine increases to $10,000, and you could spend two to 10 years in prison.
Cases Handled by a Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me: Drug Possession
There are a variety of different charges you may face related to drug possession. These include possession, delivery, trafficking, fraud, and others. The penalties vary depending on the controlled substance involved and the specific charge. A criminal defense attorney near me may be able to challenge your charges based on whether the evidence was obtained properly.
Cases Handled by a Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me: Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is violence against close individuals such as a spouse, ex-spouse, roommate, relative, child, family member, or other intimate relationship. Examples of domestic violence charges include:
- Stalking
- Assault and battery
- Sexual Assault
- Child endangerment or abuse
- Withholding access to healthcare
- Aggressive behavior
Domestic violence can be identified as either a misdemeanor or felony charge. Felony charges involve situations where there is reason to believe you intended to cause harm, you used a weapon, or you are a repeat offender. Because of the serious nature of these charges, it is important to hire a criminal defense attorney in Fort Bend immediately after you are charged.
Hire A Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me
A criminal conviction can have lasting effects on your life. A criminal defense attorney near me can provide you with the best chance to avoid a conviction or negotiate a lesser charge or sentence. Contact the David Hunter Law Firm today for a free consultation. We service cities all over Fort Bend County like Needville, Sugar Land, and Katy.
