Houston is the most populous city in Texas, the United States. It is most famous for its contributions to space exploration. Being arrested for a crime in Houston can greatly affect your freedom, credibility, and future. Having a professional criminal defense lawyer represent your case can be helpful since they have the knowledge to fight for the best possible outcome.
If you’re searching for a Houston criminal defense attorney near you, it is crucial to find someone with the experience, dedication, and local knowledge to defend you effectively. From plea bargaining to advocating on your behalf in court, an effective defense lawyer can help defend your rights and minimize the impact the charges have on your life.
Here are the different types of criminal cases a lawyer can help you with.
Drug Offenses
Some of these crimes include possession, distribution, trafficking, cultivation, and manufacturing of controlled substances like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or prescription medication. The penalty depends on the type and amount of the drug, prior convictions, and proximity to schools or children.
A criminal defense attorney can protest the legality of the search and seizure, attack the custody of the seized substances, or bargain for a lower sentence or diversion program in cases that qualify.
DUI and Traffic Violations
Drunk driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of a drug can result in license suspension, a large fine, or incarceration. Reckless driving, driving with no insurance, or hit-and-run are also considered traffic offenses.
Defense lawyers can make the case that the sobriety tests were illegal, or whether or not the stop was legal. They can plead for lesser punishments like limited driving or alcohol classes.
Theft and Property Crimes
These crimes include a wide range of illegal acts, including shoplifting, burglary, grand larceny, petty theft, robbery, arson, and vandalism. Punishment varies greatly based on the value of the property and whether or not force or weapons were used.
The accused can argue that they did not act with a criminal mind, were mistaken in identity, or that insufficient evidence was present. At times, they may plead for a plea bargain for restitution, community service, or a lesser charge to escape being sent to prison.
Assault and Violent Crimes
Violent crimes involve offenses like simple assault, aggravated assault, domestic violence, armed robbery, manslaughter, and homicide. The offenses are extremely serious, and the punishments consist of long terms of imprisonment.
Defenses may be self-defense, defense of others, lack of intent, or misidentification. A seasoned lawyer will cross-examine the prosecution witnesses, such as medical reports and eyewitness testimony, and may summon expert witnesses or forensic specialists.
White-Collar Crimes
These financially motivated, non-violent crimes are such crimes as fraud, embezzlement, bribery, insider trading, money laundering, and identity theft. They are complex cases involving extensive investigations, lengthy paper trails, and multiple defendants.
Attorneys representing white-collar cases should have knowledge of financial documents and be prepared to challenge government findings, prove lack of intent to defraud, or negotiate cases in an attempt to avoid trials and reduce sentences.
Sex Crimes
Sex crimes, such as rape, sexual assault, child sexual assault, possession of child pornography, or computer sex crimes, are grave both legally and socially, such as obligatory sex offender registration.
Defense attorneys may attempt to protect clients from unfair prejudice, seek to make certain the evidence is lawfully acquired, and challenge the credibility of the victim or the forensic process. Because such cases involve high emotions, there is a need to maintain the presumption of innocence.
Juvenile Crimes
When minors commit offenses like theft, drug possession, assault, or vandalism, the goal of the juvenile justice system is often rehabilitation rather than punishment. Defense attorneys in juvenile cases advocate for alternatives such as counseling, diversion programs, or probation.
They also work to protect the minor’s future by helping seal or expunge criminal records, which can affect college admissions, scholarships, and employment opportunities later in life.
