Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are accused of a crime in Fort Bend County, you could be looking at harsh punishments that will change the course of your life, not to mention the lives of those you love. As soon as you are arrested or notified of your criminal charges, it is vital that you reach out to an experienced Fort Bend criminal defense lawyer who can start crafting a strong, personalized defense.

At Segura & Kiatta, LLP, our lawyers have years of proven success in defending clients, no matter the severity of their charges. By choosing our firm, you can put yourself in dependable, experienced hands.

Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

No matter what you are being accused of, you can expect that the state of Texas will not go easy on those who are found guilty of a crime. Whether you are being charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, you should rely on a qualified legal professional who can stand up for your rights and ensure you do not go down for something you did not do. Without one, your world might change forever.

Your Fort Bend criminal defense lawyer can advocate for your rights in a wide variety of situations. For instance, examples of cases in which you could benefit from the work of a criminal defense attorney include:

• You’ve been pulled over for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and are facing harsh DWI penalties.
• Law enforcement officers have arrested you for a DWI and suspect you hurt someone.
• You’ve been accused of committing a violent crime like murder or aggravated assault.
• You are looking at charges of theft or robbery
• Someone has accused you of a sex crime, such as the sexual assault of a child.
• You’re facing white-collar charges like tax evasion, credit card fraud, or money laundering.
• You’ve been accused of drug trafficking.

What Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

If you have been accused of a crime, you might feel like there is nowhere to turn and that the legal system is working against you. It is understandable to feel lost, but you should remember that with a capable defense lawyer on your side, you can take a deep breath and find some peace of mind.

Even in cases where you might think that you have no possible defense, there are lots of approaches that a lawyer can use to stand up for you. For example:

• Law enforcement officers can violate your constitutional rights when searching for evidence or making an arrest. A lawyer might be able to use this to discredit your charges.
• Your attorney can closely examine the evidence law enforcement officers used to see if it is valid. For example, field sobriety tests might be discredited by certain medical conditions.
• People are all too often accused of white-collar crimes when performing legitimate business transactions. Your lawyer can scrutinize your financial paperwork to prove what happened.
• Your lawyer can show that chain of custody rules were not followed in handling and tracking physical evidence that is being used against you.
• You might have been mistaken for someone else but are at a loss for how to prove this. Your lawyer can help collect evidence to show that this is the case.

In addition to creating a strong defense strategy for your case, your lawyer can also provide a whole host of other services that make this process easier for you and your loved ones. They can answer all your questions about the confusing legal processes that might be involved and help you understand what you should expect from each step of your case.

Meanwhile, you can receive informed advice about how to protect your assets. For instance, if you are worried about what will happen to your professional or personal bank accounts while being investigated for a white-collar crime, your lawyer can provide useful guidance.

The right criminal defense attorney will also be an effective negotiator who is familiar with all sides of the law. Your lawyer can advocate for you by negotiating various factors in your case, including potential sentences you might face. They will also have the ability to file pretrial motions that help your case, such as suppressing evidence or dismissing charges.

Punishments for Misdemeanors and Felonies in Fort Bend

The exact consequences you face for a criminal conviction in Fort Bend will depend on the precise nature of the crime as well as the severity.

Misdemeanor Penalties in Fort Bend County

Texas classifies misdemeanors into categories called Class A, B, and C. The consequences you will have to face for a misdemeanor in Fort Bend will depend on the class that it falls into. In general, though, if you are found guilty of a misdemeanor, you can expect to face up to one year in a county jail, monetary fines of up to $4,000, and sometimes up to three years of community service.

While these punishments are far less severe than Texas’ punishments for felonies, you should still rely on a trustworthy criminal defense lawyer to fight against them or to minimize them. One year in jail can still negatively impact your entire life. You could lose precious time away from your friends and family and face major hardships when it comes to getting a job after your time is over.

Felony Penalties in Fort Bend County

If you are facing a felony charge, you are looking at more serious, long-term penalties than the ones given for misdemeanors. In Texas, the punishments for felonies also depend on exactly what you are convicted of but usually involve lengthy prison sentences and incredibly costly fines.

For instance, examples of penalties you might face for a felony conviction include:

• Intoxication Manslaughter: If you were driving while intoxicated and kill a person as a result, you can face a minimum of two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Theft: If you are found guilty of stealing items that were worth between $1,500 and $20,000, you can face 180 days to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. If the stolen property is between $20,000 and $150,000, this can rise to between two and ten years in prison.
• Sex Crimes: In addition to jail time and high fines, if you’re convicted of sex crimes, you may have to abide by curfews, have difficulty finding employment, and have to limit where you can live and work. You may also be required to register as a sex offender.
• Murder: If you are charged with murder in Texas, you could be looking at receiving up to life in prison.
• Aggravated Assault: When found guilty of using a deadly weapon or causing serious bodily injury to another person, you could face up to twenty years in prison.
• Drug Delivery and Possession: Punishments for drug trafficking in Texas can involve up to 99 years in prison.
• Money Laundering: If you’ve been accused of a financial crime like money laundering, your felony punishment will depend on how much money was involved.

What to Do If You’re Charged With a Crime in Fort Bend County

Getting charged with a serious crime can be terrifying. The court will let you know what you are being accused of by either sending you a summons or by arresting you, depending on the circumstances.

If you are put in handcuffs and brought to jail, you might understandably start to panic and want to start talking to law enforcement officers. Try to remain calm and remember that it is in your interest to wait until you have an informed criminal defense attorney on your case to begin speaking. You have the legal right to remain silent and to hire an attorney.

Once you have an attorney, they will start going over your options in the case. Your lawyer will conduct in-depth research on what happened and begin collecting evidence and reviewing how the case was handled.

With their detailed knowledge of the complex Texas legal system and their understanding of all of the facts in your case, they can make an informed decision as to how to proceed with your case.

Not all criminal cases proceed to a trial. Often, your defense attorney can negotiate with prosecutors to effectively dismiss charges, or advocate for alternative dispute resolution. If these initial efforts are not successful, you might have to go to trial.

Your lawyer will have prepared for this possibility from the beginning and will be ready to use strong evidence to defend your case in the courtroom.

Depend on a Dedicated Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Lawyer

You must consider your timeline when facing criminal charges. The sooner you can have a knowledgeable defense attorney look at your case and begin working on a defense strategy, the better your chances of walking away from this situation with an ideal outcome.

At Segura & Kiatta, LLP, we know how frightening it can be to face criminal charges, and our attorneys are ready to guide you through everything you need to do to confront them.

Both of our lawyers are seasoned attorneys who have achieved proven results in dismissing criminal charges. If you are ready to have fierce lawyers with a positive track record on your side, do not waste any more time. Reach out to our office today to consult about your case.