McKinney, TX Criminal Defense Attorneys for Destroying or Concealing Evidence

Lawyers Helping Clients Address Charges Related to Tampering With Evidence in McKinney, Texas

Criminal cases may involve multiple types of evidence, and in some cases, a person may be tempted to prevent evidence from being used against them. However, attempting to destroy or conceal evidence could lead to additional criminal charges. Tampering with evidence is a felony offense. People who are facing these types of charges will need to understand how to respond, how to ensure that evidence is used correctly in a criminal case, and how to defend against a conviction.

Whether a person is facing charges related to destroying or concealing evidence as part of a larger criminal case or as a separate offense, the attorneys at Texas Defense Firm can make sure these issues are addressed correctly. We can help clients understand what types of actions related to evidence are prohibited and what steps they can take to protect their rights and defend against criminal charges.

Evidence-Related Accusations in Criminal Cases

Offenses related to tampering with evidence may involve claims that a person has altered, destroyed, or concealed documents, records, or anything else that could be used as evidence in a criminal case. If a person allegedly had knowledge that evidence could be used in a criminal investigation or legal proceedings, and they took actions to prevent evidence from being found by law enforcement, they could face criminal charges.

Allegations of evidence tampering may involve activities such as:

• Destroying Evidence: A person may be accused of deleting text messages or photos from their phone after learning that they are being investigated for a crime. They may also be accused of throwing away an item connected to an alleged offense or getting rid of a weapon that may have been used in a crime. Actions that a person has taken as a result of panic or emotional distress may be considered evidence tampering, even if they did not purposely intend to obstruct justice.
• Concealing Evidence: Charges may involve accusations that a person attempted to hide evidence rather than destroying it outright. These charges may involve claims that drugs, weapons, or stolen property were placed in locations where investigators would be unlikely to find them. A person may also face charges for asking another person to hold or hide an item on their behalf.
• Other Methods of Tampering With Evidence: Accusations may involve claims that a person changed the condition of an item connected to an investigation, such as by cleaning a vehicle before it could be examined by police. A person may also be accused of changing the contents of documents that could be relevant to a case. In some cases, charges may involve fabricating evidence, such as by creating false documents and giving them to police to try to create an alibi.

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Penalties for Evidence Tampering

Concealing or destroying physical evidence is a serious offense, and in many cases, people who face these accusations may be charged with third-degree felonies. A conviction could lead to a sentence lasting from two to 10 years in prison and other penalties. In general, third-degree felony charges may apply in situations where a person is accused of destroying, concealing, altering, or fabricating evidence connected to an investigation or an official criminal proceeding.

The severity of the charges can increase in cases where the evidence involved in a case is a human corpse. A person who attempts to hide a corpse or prevent it from being identified may be charged with a second-degree felony. Criminal charges may also apply if a person has allegedly observed a corpse and did not inform law enforcement. In these cases, a person could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, and they could be sentenced to up to one year in jail.

Charges of evidence tampering may apply even if an investigation related to that evidence does not result in a conviction. Concealing or destroying evidence may be considered a separate offense, and anyone who has tried to influence an investigation or criminal case by tampering with evidence could face criminal charges.

Defending Against Accusations of Evidence Tampering

The team at Texas Defense Firm can review the circumstances of a case to determine whether a client knew about an investigation when they allegedly tampered with evidence. We may take steps to show that a person discarded, moved, or altered certain items without knowing that they may have been connected to a criminal investigation.

Our lawyers can also look at whether a prosecutor can prove that a person intentionally tampered with evidence. The prosecutor will need to show that a person took actions meant to prevent evidence from being found by law enforcement, considered during an investigation, or used in a criminal case or other legal proceeding. We may argue that the actions a person took were not related to a criminal case, and they had no intent to interfere with an investigation.

When evidence tampering charges are filed alongside other offenses, our attorneys can take steps to determine how evidence may be used in a case and how to defend against all charges that may apply. We will review any evidence related to allegations of concealing or destroying evidence, including whether law enforcement officials may have conducted illegal searches of a person's phone, vehicle, or property. By analyzing the methods used to recover evidence, such as steps taken by investigators to obtain messages that had been deleted, we can determine how to address the accusations against a client and defend against a conviction.

Contact Our McKinney Evidence Tampering Defense Lawyers

Criminal charges related to the destruction or concealment of evidence can lead to serious penalties, even if a person is able to avoid a conviction for other types of charges. At Texas Defense Firm, we can help clients understand how to respond to accusations that they have destroyed, concealed, or otherwise tampered with evidence. We will address any violations of our clients' rights and provide guidance on the defense strategies that can be used to address accusations of evidence tampering. Contact our McKinney, TX destroying or concealing evidence defense attorneys at 972-369-0577 to arrange a free consultation.