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Texas Criminal Lawyer

Call (888) 519-6013 to speak with a criminal defense attorney.

Have you been accused of a crime in Texas? Whether you are guilty or not, you will need to hire a Texas criminal lawyer or attorney to help defend you. Texas criminal attorneys represent individuals who have been charged with crimes by arguing their cases in courts of law.

There are two kinds of law, criminal law and civil law. In a criminal case, a state prosecutor initiates the suit, while the victim brings the suit in a civil case. If you wish to sue someone for the damages that have been caused by a crime, you need to hire a Texas civil lawyer or attorney. A criminal attorney, or defense attorney, is the professional you need if you have been arrested, indicted or otherwise charged with a crime. Regardless of whether or not he or she feels you have actually committed the crime, your attorney will do their best to defend you under the law.

A 'crime' is any act, or the omission of an act, in violation of a public law forbidding or commanding it. In other words, a crime is not necessarily an action, but can be the failure to take action as well, as when an individual fails to pay taxes. In some instances it can be a crime to plan an action, as in conspiracy.

Crimes include both felonies and misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are generally considered 'lesser' criminal acts and can include petty theft, vandalism, trespassing, prostitution, drug offenses, DUI, assault and disorderly conduct. Misdemeanor convictions can result in punishment such as the payment of fines, probation, community service, the loss of privileges such as public employment, public office or professional licenses, or incarceration of less than one year, typically in a local jail.

Felonies include crimes such as murder, sexual assault, aggravated assault, arson, grand theft, embezzlement, treason, tax evasion, racketeering, kidnapping, torture, espionage and fraud. Felonies are generally punishable by one year or more in a federal or state prison, deportation if the felon is not a U.S. citizen, probation, the forfeiture of property, or even execution for premeditated murder or other serious crimes.

If you have been involved in a crime or you have been arrested, you should request an attorney from the public defender's office, or contact a private criminal lawyer or attorney, immediately. A good criminal attorney can help defend you in court because he or she will be intimately familiar with federal and state laws, as well as with previous court interpretations of federal and state constitutions.

Moreover, qualified Texas criminal attorneys will also be familiar with court customs and procedures, as well as precedents in the specific area of criminal law under which you have been charged. In order to successfully argue your case, your attorney will need to do further research into these precedents and other similar cases, as well as hire and manage investigators, and gather vital information from prosecution witnesses. After being retained by you, the attorney will spend significant amounts of time on your case. When it comes time to go to court, they will use their skills and experience to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

There is no such thing as a minor criminal charge. Any misdemeanor conviction can damage your record and potentially limit your employment opportunities. Felony charges can result in significant periods of incarceration and probation. If you are ready to contact a Texas criminal lawyer or attorney, visit the website of the American Bar Association. The ABA offers free access to their lawyer locator, which can help you search for a criminal lawyer or attorney in Texas.