Criminal Defense Attorney in Dallas, TX

Texas misdemeanors run from Class C (fine only, no jail) through Class A (up to one year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000). Felonies run from state jail felonies through first-degree and capital felonies, carrying state prison time that begins at 180 days and can extend to life. Beyond the punishment range, a felony conviction carries lasting consequences for firearm rights, voting while serving a sentence, professional licensing and employment.

Say that you want a lawyer and then stop talking about the case — to officers, to jail staff, and on recorded jail phone calls. You are not required to explain yourself, and explanations given without counsel rarely help. Contact an attorney as soon as you can so bond and the first setting are handled properly.

Not automatically, but it can matter a great deal. If a traffic stop lacked reasonable suspicion or a search lacked a legal basis, the evidence that came from it may be suppressed — and without that evidence the State's case may not survive. That is why the video and the offense report get reviewed carefully in every case.

Deferred adjudication is a form of community supervision where the judge does not enter a finding of guilt if you complete the terms. It is not technically a conviction, and for some offenses it can later become eligible for an order of nondisclosure. It is not a clean slate, though — it remains visible to many agencies, it can be used against you later, and violating the terms exposes you to the full punishment range. Whether it is the right resolution depends on the charge and on your situation.

Possibly. Texas allows expunction in certain situations — acquittals, dismissals, and some arrests that never led to charges — and orders of nondisclosure in others, including many successfully completed deferred adjudications. Eligibility depends on the offense, the outcome and the waiting periods that apply. Bring us the paperwork and we will tell you what is available.

For a fine-only offense the temptation is to just pay it — but paying a citation is often a plea of guilty, and that conviction can appear on background checks for years. It is worth one phone call to find out whether a better option exists before you pay.