FAQs
Common Questions Answered
What is the difference between an misdemeanor and felony in Texas?
In Texas, misdemeanors are less serious offenses punished by fines and up to one year in county jail. Felonies are more serious crimes that can mean state jail or prison time, from 180 days up to life. A felony conviction also carries lasting consequences, including the loss of gun rights and barriers to jobs and housing.
What is the discovery process in a Texas criminal case?
Discovery is the process of getting the evidence the prosecution has in your case. Under Texas law (the Michael Morton Act), prosecutors must share police reports, witness statements, videos, and lab results once your attorney requests them. This lets your lawyer look for weaknesses, errors, or rights violations that can lead to reduced or dismissed charges.
Why hiring a criminal defense attorney is essential?
A criminal charge can affect your freedom, your record, your job, and your driver’s license. Prosecutors have experience and resources on their side. A criminal defense attorney evens the odds by challenging illegal stops or searches, finding weaknesses in the evidence, negotiating reduced charges, and pursuing options like pretrial diversion or deferred adjudication that can keep a conviction off your record.
Do I need a lawyer if I'm guilty?
Yes. Being guilty doesn’t mean you have to accept the harshest penalty. A defense attorney can still check whether police followed the law and negotiate reduced charges or lighter sentences. They can also pursue options like probation or deferred adjudication, which can keep a conviction off your record. They make sure you understand every consequence before you accept a plea.
How long will my criminal case take?
It depends on the charge, the evidence, court schedules, and whether the case ends in a plea deal, a dismissal, or a trial. Some misdemeanors resolve in a few months, while serious felonies can take a year or longer. Delays in lab results or discovery can also slow things down. Your attorney can give a realistic estimate after reviewing your case.
What is the difference between an expunction and a nondisclosure in Texas?
An expunction, often called ‘expungement’, permanently erases an arrest from your record. It’s generally available if your case was dismissed, you were found not guilty, or you completed certain diversion programs. An order of nondisclosure seals your record from the public but doesn’t destroy it. It’s often available after you successfully complete deferred adjudication. Eligibility depends on the offense and your history.
Do I even need a lawyer?
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How do I see the evidence against me?
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What should I do if I’m arrested?
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Can I get my criminal record sealed or expunged?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
What’s the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Do I need a lawyer if I plan to plead guilty?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
How much does it cost to hire a criminal defense lawyer?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
