Houston Violent Crime Attorney

Criminal charges involving violent crimes in Texas include:

• Aggravated Assault
• Deadly Conduct
• Family Member Assault
• Homicide/Murder/Manslaughter
• Injury to a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual
• Kidnapping
• Aggravated sexual assault/Rape
• Robbery
• Simple Assault
• Terroristic Threats
• Unlawful Restraint
• Vehicular Manslaughter

Additional charges or enhancements are often filed based on the use of firearms, the criminal history of the defendant, and the age or status of the victim. The state also commonly stacks charges against defendants by filing the most serious charges under the law, even if proving those charges in court is unlikely, as well as lesser-included offenses. This allows prosecutors to offer “plea deals,” which often mean little more than reducing allegations to include charges they may or may not have been able to prove in the first place. The implications of a DUI/DWI conviction can also intersect with violent crime charges, especially in cases of vehicular manslaughter. Exercising your right to remain silent is essential. Most of these charges are either second-degree felonies, punishable by 2-20 years in prison, or first-degree felonies, punishable by 5 years to life behind bars. A defendant’s urge to explain or defend himself will be used against him by law enforcement attempting to gather evidence of his guilt. In many cases, the fact that law enforcement is speaking to you at all means they do not yet have enough evidence to make an arrest, and they are hoping your statements will further implicate you in a crime. Law enforcement is commonly deceptive, and may even lie to you, as they seek to put you behind bars. Early consultation with an experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer offers many advantages, and may even prevent charges from ever being filed. In every case, reaching out for experienced legal help as early as possible will allow your chosen defense attorney the most time, and the best chance, to protect your rights at each stage of the process. Affirmative defenses to violent crimes may include:

• Self-Defense
• Necessary to avoid harm
• Protection of property
• Defense of another

Your Houston criminal defense law firm may also argue:

• Mistaken identity
• Elements of charges unproven
• Illegal search and seizure
• Illegal conduct of law enforcement
• Lack of probable cause
• Unreliable witness statement
• Erroneous evidence
• Lab errors

The state must prove every element of a charge against you in order for you to be convicted. In many cases, challenges to intent, to allegations a weapon or violence was used, or to the extent of threats or injuries involved, can result in a significant reduction or dismissal of the charges. It’s important to remember that the state can charge you with whatever it wants, what matters is whether you are convicted in a court of law. Alex Macias is an experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer who represents clients in state and federal court in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Fort Bend and Montgomery counties, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Pearland, Knogwood, Katy, League City, Stafford, Friendswood, Richmond, Cypress, Clear Lake, Humble and Fulshear.