If you have been charged with a crime in Texas, it’s a serious matter, but you have important legal rights and protections to turn to. The bottom line is that you should focus on the best path forward rather than panicking about what you are up against. Once you have an experienced Fort Cavazos Criminal Defense attorney at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard backing you up, you are in capable legal hands. At this point, you will be much better prepared to move forward toward a resolution that favors you. 

You Are Presumed Innocent

To begin, it is important to keep in mind that you are presumed innocent of the charge that has been levied against you. The police who have arrested or detained you may not encourage you to feel this way, but it is, nevertheless, the truth, and you should not lose sight of this fact. 

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

To prove you guilty of the crime you have been charged with, the prosecution will need to prove each of the involved elements beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a high standard that means there is no reasonable explanation beyond your guilt, and it adds an additional layer of legal protection. 

The Elements of the Charge

Every criminal charge breaks down into basic elements, and to find you guilty, the state must prove each of these elements. For example, a common criminal charge in Texas is assault. To be found guilty of assault, the accused must have had intent, which means they intentionally, recklessly, or knowingly engaged in any one of the following:

• Causing the victim to suffer bodily harm
• Threatening the victim with imminent bodily harm 
• Coming into physical contact with the victim in a manner that is offensive or provocative in nature

The state must prove that you intended to cause offense or that you intended or credibly threatened to cause harm and that you followed through with the act in question. In other words, the prosecution has a serious burden of proof, and your formidable criminal defense lawyer will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to establish reasonable doubt. 

Your Miranda Rights

As the accused, you also have Miranda rights. This refers to your right to an attorney and your right to remain silent. If you have been arrested or detained regarding an alleged crime, you should not wait to invoke either of these rights.

While you are required to answer basic questions about your identity and your contact information, you have the right not to incriminate yourself. And this includes the right not to answer the officer’s questions. As soon as you provide the required information, it’s time to let the officer know that you are done talking and that you want an attorney. From here, it is important to follow through by refraining from speaking.

Invoking both of these rights at this point in the process can make a very big difference in how your case is resolved. Ultimately, the more you talk, the more likely you are to say something that can come back to haunt your defense. And the sooner you have trusted legal guidance in your corner, the better the outcome you are likely to obtain

Common Criminal Charges in Fort Cavazos

While Fort Cavazos sees its fair share of criminal charges of all kinds, the following are some of the most common:

• Driving while intoxicated (DWI), which generally translates to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher
• Assault, including aggravated assault, which involves an aggravating factor such as having a weapon on you
• Shoplifting and other theft charges refer to taking property unlawfully with the intention of depriving the owner of it
• Burglary charges, which refer to breaking into or entering a building or habitation without consent to do so and with the intention of committing theft, assault, or any felony
• Drug charges, including possession, distribution, or manufacture
• Criminal mischief, which refers to knowingly or intentionally damaging, destroying, or defacing someone else’s property
• Juvenile charges, which can apply to youth who are at least 10 years old but are not yet 17 years old

Discuss Your Defense with an Experienced Fort Cavazos Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard is a determined Fort Cavazos criminal defense attorney who has built an impressive career successfully guiding challenging cases toward optimal outcomes. This includes upholding our clients’ rights and fighting for their futures. We are on your side and here to help, so please don’t wait to reach out by contacting us online or calling us at 254-781-4222 for more information about what we can do to help you today.