Criminal Defense

Politely decline to answer questions about the allegations and ask for a lawyer. You are required to identify yourself, but you are not required to explain, justify, or talk your way out of it. People very often make their situation worse in the first hour by trying to be helpful.

A charge is an accusation. A conviction is a finding of guilt after a plea or a trial. Being charged does not mean you will be convicted, and there are often issues with how evidence was gathered, how the stop was made, or whether the State can actually prove each element of the offence.

No. Officers are permitted to use deception during an investigation. A promise that things will go easier if you cooperate is not binding on the prosecutor. Only the prosecutor can offer a plea, and only a judge can accept it.

Bond amounts depend on the offence, criminal history, ties to the community, and the judge. In many cases a bond can be reduced or conditions modified by motion. If someone is being held, the sooner an attorney is involved, the more options there usually are.

Sometimes. Cases can be dismissed, reduced, or resolved through diversion or pretrial programs depending on the offence, the evidence, and your history. No honest attorney can promise a dismissal at the outset, but many cases do not end the way they start.

It can. Deferred adjudication is not a conviction if you complete it, but the arrest and case record still exist and can be seen by many employers unless it is sealed. Whether an order of nondisclosure or expunction is available depends on the offence and the outcome. Ask before you accept any plea.

Potentially, yes, and this is critical. Some pleas that look minor can carry severe immigration consequences, including removal, even when there is no jail time. If you are not a United States citizen, tell your attorney before any plea is entered.

A DWI can affect your driver’s licence through a separate administrative process with its own short deadline, independent of the criminal case. That deadline can pass quickly after arrest, so it is one of the first things to address.

Appointed counsel exists for those who qualify financially, and many appointed lawyers are excellent. Retained counsel generally has more time per case and can begin investigating immediately rather than at the first setting. We are happy to discuss fees openly so you can make an informed choice.

Bring any paperwork you were given, including the bond conditions and your next court date. Write down everything you remember about the stop or arrest while it is fresh, including times, locations, and who was present. Do not discuss the facts with anyone else, including on recorded jail calls.