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Richardson Criminal Defense Attorneys

Lawyers Defending Clients Against DWI, Drug Crimes, Sex Crimes, and More in Richardson, TX

A criminal arrest can change the direction of your life in a matter of minutes. One traffic stop, one accusation, or one misunderstanding can lead to jail time, heavy fines, and a permanent record that is likely to affect you in the future. At Texas Defense Firm, our attorneys can stand by your side as you address criminal charges. We have more than 200 years of combined experience, and we have handled hundreds of criminal trials. With our knowledge of Texas law and our strong negotiation and trial skills, we can provide the representation you need to resolve your case successfully.

Defending Against DWI Charges in Richardson

You could be charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) if you are pulled over by police, and an officer suspects that you have been drinking alcohol or using drugs. In general, Texas law defines "intoxicated" in two ways. You could face DWI charges if your alleged use of drugs or alcohol limited your mental or physical abilities and prevented you from driving safely, or a measurement of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) may show that it was above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

A first-time DWI is usually classified as a Class B misdemeanor, and you could face up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. The penalties will increase for a second-time DWI, and a third DWI is usually charged as a third-degree felony.

Protecting Your Driver's License

As criminal charges for DWI move through the courts, the Texas Department of Public Safety may try to suspend your license through an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) proceeding. Your license may be suspended if a test of your blood or breath showed that you were over the legal limit or if you refused a DWI test.

You have only 15 days after receiving a notice that your license is being suspended to request an ALR hearing. Our lawyers can request this hearing for you, question the arresting officer under oath, and use their testimony to find weaknesses in the case against you. We can also review whether a traffic stop that led to a DWI arrest was lawful, whether field sobriety tests were handled correctly, and whether breath or blood testing equipment was properly maintained.

How Drug Charges Are Handled in Texas

The specific offenses that may apply when people are charged with drug crimes will depend on the types of drugs involved in a case. Texas law sorts drugs into penalty groups, and the amount of drugs that a person possessed can determine how a case may be handled. For example, drug possession charges involving less than one gram of a Penalty Group 1 substance, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, will often be classified as state jail felonies. Possessing less than two ounces of marijuana can result in Class B misdemeanor charges.

Not every drug case has to end in a conviction. Depending on your history, the facts surrounding your arrest, and the evidence gathered by law enforcement officers, our legal team may pursue a dismissal, a reduced charge, a pretrial diversion program, or deferred adjudication.

Challenging Illegal Searches

Many drug cases depend entirely on evidence found during a search. However, the Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. Evidence obtained in violation of the law cannot be used against you at trial.

Consider a common situation: an officer stops a driver for a broken taillight and then holds the driver for 20 minutes waiting for another officer to arrive with a drug dog. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that police generally cannot extend a traffic stop without reasonable suspicion of another crime. In this case, the person may have been detained unlawfully, and evidence discovered by the drug dog may be suppressed during a criminal trial. When necessary, we can file motions to suppress evidence, which can weaken or end a criminal case.

Understanding Sex Crime Allegations

Few accusations are treated as seriously as those involving sex crimes. Even before a case goes to trial, an allegation can damage a person's relationships and career. A conviction may require a person to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. Sex crime charges may include:

  • Sexual Assault: This offense, which may involve sexual contact or sexual intercourse that was done without consent, is often charged as a second-degree felony.
  • Aggravated Sexual Assault: First-degree felony charges may apply when sexual assault allegedly resulted in a serious bodily injury, a person allegedly used a deadly weapon, or other aggravating factors were present.
  • Indecency With a Child: Allegations of sexual contact with a person under the age of 17 are treated as a serious offense.
  • Online Solicitation of a Minor: People who are accused of interacting with minors online and attempting to engage in illegal sexual activities can face harsh penalties.
  • Prostitution and Solicitation: People who are accused of engaging in prostitution by agreeing to accept payments for sexual activities can face prostitution charges. People accused of solicitation by offering to pay for sexual activities can face harsher penalties.

Other Criminal Cases We Handle

Our law firm defends people facing a wide range of charges in Richardson and the surrounding area, including:

Contact Our Richardson, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers

Criminal charges in Texas can put a person at risk of jail time, sex offender registration, and other penalties, including a permanent criminal record that may limit their future opportunities. At Texas Defense Firm, we can provide the representation needed to resolve criminal cases successfully. Contact our Richardson, TX criminal law attorneys at 972-369-0577 to schedule a free consultation and learn how our team can protect your rights and fight for your future.