Coryell County Criminal Defense Attorneys

Compassionate, Effective Legal Counsel from Arrest to Trial

Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard is here to help you every step of the way. We are proud to provide award-winning legal services to clients in Coryell County. Our team can investigate the details of your case to build a strong defense on your behalf.

Call the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard at (254) 220-4225 to speak with our Coryell County criminal defense lawyers.

Your Rights During the Criminal Process

Coryell County courthouse

If you have been arrested, you are probably feeling hopeless and fearful about your future. The criminal process in Texas is complex, and there are several important elements to remember. The most important thing to keep in mind during the criminal process is your rights.

Upon arrest, law enforcement officers are required to inform you of the following rights:

  • The right to remain silent
  • The right to an attorney
  • The right to have an attorney present during police questioning

These are known as Miranda Rights, named after a 1996 U.S. Supreme Court Case. Essentially, you do not have to speak to the police without an attorney. In fact, it is critical to avoid communicating with the police without an attorney to prevent self-incrimination, which is an admission of guilt.

During your first appearance in court, the judge will read the charges against you in addition to your rights during the trial, as stated in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.

These rights include the following:

  • The right to trial by jury
  • Prohibition of double jeopardy (prosecuting the same offense more than once)
  • The right to a fair trial

While police and the court have an obligation to keep you informed of your rights, they do not always follow through. That is why you must have legal representation throughout the criminal process. Attorneys at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard can protect your rights and help you understand your options.

What Happens During a Trial?

Not all cases go to trial, but those that do must go through the guilt/innocence phase and the punishment phase. Both phases aim to evaluate the evidence and determine a fair punishment that is proportionate to the crime.

  • The guilt/innocence phase of a criminal trial allows the prosecution to present evidence and witness statements to prove the defendant’s guilt. Lab reports, videos, and audio recordings can be used as supporting evidence to the prosecution’s case against you. The defense will also use this time to present evidence and witnesses to prove their client’s innocence.
  • The punishment phase involves sentencing the accused. Based on the evidence of the case, the judge will determine a sentence that he or she believes fits the crime. A sentence can include a fine and/or jail time, depending on the damages and severity of the criminal activity. For example, a first-time DWI charge is likely to result in a fine and driver’s license suspension, while a felony DWI with fatalities could lead to several years in prison.

Even after the trial is over, you still have an opportunity to pursue justice. Those found guilty of a crime can file an appeal with the court for a chance to revisit their case. Unfortunately, the appeals process is just as complex as the criminal process. Contact an attorney before filing an appeal.

Defending Your Rights

The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard has served clients for over two decades. Our team understands the Texas criminal process in and out of court, and we provide compassionate and affordable legal services to those accused of a crime. We put our experience to work by evaluating your case to build a strong defense on your behalf.

Contact the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard for more information.

Meet Our Dedicated Team

  • Brett H. Pritchard Photo
    Brett H. Pritchard
    Attorney At Law
    Our lead lawyer, Brett H. Pritchard, is a graduate from Brigham Young University and Texas Tech University. Earning an exemplary reputation as an aggressive and formidable trial lawyer, Attorney Pritchard is ultimately passionate about protecting his clients' rights.
  • Brent T. Sykora Photo
    Brent T. Sykora
    Attorney At Law
    Attorney Brent T. Sykora has a wealth of experience in the legal realm, stemming firstly from his First Chair litigation experience in both federal and state courts, administrative hearings, and ADR proceedings.
  • Danah  Woods Photo
    Danah Woods
    Attorney At Law
    Danah Woods has a broad range of state and federal civil litigation experience including trial, discovery, and mediation and has practiced throughout the State of Texas. Danah began her career working in the insurance industry as a claims adjuster and ...
  • Darmeisha  Slay Photo
    Darmeisha Slay
    Attorney At Law
    After graduating from St. Mary’s University, she practiced as a Paralegal at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard until her acceptance into the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. While at TMSL, Darmeisha was accepted to practice in the pro bono Family Law Clinic where she represented indigent clients in uncontested and contested divorces.
  • Jeff  Linick Photo
    Jeff Linick
    Attorney At Law
    With a background in business and finance prior to going to law school, Mr. Linick worked for several years in the insurance industry with USAA, a company closely associated with the armed services.
  • N.J.  Gaunt Photo
    N.J. Gaunt
    Senior Litigator
    Nicholas J. Gaunt has been licensed as an attorney and mediator in Texas since 2009. He has practiced family law and criminal defense extensively in Bell, Coryell, Lampasas, & Milam, as well as Collin, Dallas, Denton, Travis, and Bexar County.
  • Andersch  Etienne Photo
    Andersch Etienne
    Attorney At Law
    Andersch H. Etienne has lived most of his life in Florida. He obtained his Associate of Arts from Indian River State College with a major in Criminal Justice and, after graduating, interned with the 19th District Public Defender’s office for the summer. ...
  • Timothy V. Daniel Photo
    Timothy V. Daniel
    Attorney At Law
    LEGAL EXPERIENCE Tim is a native central Texan, graduating high school in Milam County. During law school, he interned for the Combined Law Enforcement Assocation of Texas and for Crime Stoppers International. After law school, Tim clerked for the ...
  • Tyler  Stara Photo
    Tyler Stara
    Attorney At Law
    LEGAL EXPERIENCE Born and raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Tyler graduated from nursing school in 2014 from Northern Oklahoma College and attained his bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2015 from Oklahoma City University. Tyler later returned to Oklahoma City ...
  • Quincy  Hall Photo
    Quincy Hall
    Attorney At Law
    Born in El Paso, Texas, Quincy Sterling Hall knew from a young age what it meant to be efficient, effective, and exceptional. As the son of a retired First Sergeant father and professional Health Care Liaison mother, the values and aptitude instilled in ...

Our Winning Strategy

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Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard
1201 South W.S. Young Dr.
Killeen, TX 76543
Quality Legal Services at Affordable Rates Offering reduced payments and flexible payment plans during this time.