Houston residents or even their loved ones who may have had a brush with the law and now face criminal charges should immediately involve a criminal defense attorney. That’s because criminal charges in the state are severe, and it is better to hire legal representation than risk going to prison.
A reliable Houston criminal defense lawyer will tell you that the sooner you bring your case to them, the higher your chances of getting ahead on it. So, even if you feel like you can represent yourself in court because the matter is small, hiring professional legal help is advisable.
If you ever face charges in any of the following cases, you should immediately hire criminal defense representation in the city.
Assault and Battery
According to statistics, Houston is the seventh most dangerous city in Texas. Naturally, that means there is a considerable amount of violence, drug problem, and other crimes in the city. That being said, residents may invariably find themselves on the wrong side of the law sometimes, which can happen for various reasons. The situation can be dire if Houston residents are charged with battery and assault.
When you be in such a situation, the first thing to do is call a lawyer. If you fail to hire a lawyer and are convicted, you could go to jail and pay massive fines up to $4,000 or more in Houston. But there can be other severe repercussions as well, especially in places like Harrison County, where your criminal history and record could hinder you from getting employment, renting apartments, getting a student loan, and more.
Theft Charges
Admittedly, the very general meaning of the term theft is taking something that belongs to someone else without their approval. But legally, in Houston and anywhere, this term encompasses a wide range of connotations that go beyond this simple definition. It is more precisely described as taking someone else’s property without permission to deprive them of it permanently. Then there are different types of theft and an equal number of laws that deal with each, which ordinary folks do not know of.
That’s why you need a reputable defense lawyer if you are charged with theft in Houston. Otherwise, you could be imprisoned for anywhere between two and ten years along with a fine of approximately $10,000. For a second-degree felony, the jail term can range from two to twenty years.
Drug Crimes
Hiring a trustworthy and experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer is a must when facing drug charges. That’s because drug crimes carry a very harsh penalty in the city, with convictions typically ranging from a few months to life imprisonment. There can also be significant fines up to $10,000 or more, loss of job, and pretty much everything else that holds value to you.
Remember, you can be charged and convicted in Houston for possessing even small amounts of specific controlled substances. In fact, drug crimes are taken very seriously in other parts of Texas as well, with the state making the strictest possible efforts to crack down on drug-related crimes.
But regardless of whether you are facing drug possession, manufacturing, trafficking, distribution, or sales charges, a local criminal defense lawyer can advocate for you and defend you expertly.
