Being charged with a crime—no matter how minor or how serious—is a very grave matter which can benefit from the experience of a criminal defense attorney in Texas. The potential penalties which can come from a criminal conviction are extensive; jail or prison time, a permanent blot on your criminal record, the loss of future job prospects, the inability to obtain a government college loan, a professional license or rent an apartment and the possible inability to work with children or even own a firearm.

Among the states in the U.S., Texas ranks second in the number of violent crimes, although once the population is factored in, Texas drops to number sixteen. As any Houston criminal defense attorney knows, of the nearly 1.2 million individuals arrested annually in Texas, nearly 13,000 of those receive a prison sentence. Fines and restitution fees for each person in Texas convicted of a criminal offense average $6,000—although that figure can be significantly higher for certain crimes. A Houston criminal defense attorney understands that sometimes criminal charges are the result of one bad decision and will work hard to minimize the damage to your future.

Being charged with a crime—no matter how minor or how serious—is a very grave matter which can benefit from the experience of a criminal defense attorney in Texas. The potential penalties which can come from a criminal conviction are extensive; jail or prison time, a permanent blot on your criminal record, the loss of future job prospects, the inability to obtain a government college loan, a professional license or rent an apartment and the possible inability to work with children or even own a firearm. A Texas criminal defense attorney is able to explain the legal process while ensuring your rights are fully protected every step of the way. Speaking with a criminal defense attorney in Texas gives you a comprehensive overview of the seriousness of your crime, your options, and the likely outcome. Having this information takes at least a bit of the fear out of having criminal charges filed against you. 

Although Texas was the first state to enact a Three-Strikes Law in the early 70’s, twenty-six states have since followed suit. Texas refers to the law as the Texas Habitual Offender Statute which sentences a convicted felon to 2-20 years if he has two prior felony convictions. The twenty-six states which recognize the Three-Strikes Law apply the law in different manners; for instance in California only the first two crimes need be violent or serious felonies while in other states all three crimes must fall under the definition of a violent or serious felony.