Protecting the Rights of the Arrested for Decades

Being accused of a crime can have a serious effect not only on your employability and finances, but also on your mental and emotional health. If you have been arrested for a serious criminal offense, you are likely thinking about what you should do next and how to move forward. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to find the answers to those questions on your own.

The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard has extensive legal experience with a variety of criminal defense cases, and we have helped thousands of clients by protecting their rights and pursuing justice. Our team understands how stressful criminal accusations are for the accused and their loved ones, and that’s why we are honored to provide compassionate legal counsel to individuals in Gatesville and the surrounding area.

Call the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard at (254) 220-4225 today to discuss your case with our dedicated legal team.

Criminal Cases We Defend

Our firm has defended a variety of criminal cases from DWIs to drug crimes. If you have been accused of a crime, don’t hesitate to contact a legal team that can provide trustworthy legal advice backed by experience.

We have helped clients with the following cases: 

• Assault
• Burglary
• Bond hearings
• Juvenile crime
• Shoplifting
• State offenses
• And more

From arrest to trial, our firm can take aggressive action on your behalf every step of the way. We can handle the legal aspects of your case and help you understand your options with hands-on counsel.

Why Was I Arrested?

The number one question on your mind is probably about the reason for your arrest. There are two things to keep in mind when evaluating why the police arrest someone: probable cause and reasonable suspicion.

Reasonable suspicion refers to the presumption that a crime was committed or will be in the future. Law enforcement officers may hold or detain you based on reasonable suspicion, but they cannot formally arrest you.

For example, if you are near private property, and it appears as though you were trespassing, a police officer may detain you. There may not be proof that you were on private property, but if the officer suspects that you may have been, he or she has reasonable suspicion that you were trespassing. The officer cannot formally arrest you, but they may detain you.

Probable cause is the difference between arrest and detention. If you were arrested under probable cause, a law enforcement officer has determined that you were allegedly involved in criminal activity. Probable cause, unlike reasonable suspicion, is based on concrete evidence.

If a police officer discovers evidence that you were trespassing, like an ID that you dropped on the property, or security camera footage showing you on the property, they have concrete evidence and they can arrest you.

When Suspicion Becomes Probable Cause

It is also important to know that, while law enforcement cannot arrest you on reasonable suspicion alone, if they discover concrete evidence while they have you detained, they can arrest you based on probable cause.

A good example of this is a DWI. If a law enforcement officer pulls you over because he or she noticed you driving recklessly, they may have reasonable suspicion that you were driving while intoxicated. As they proceed to collect your information, they could detect the smell of alcohol on your person and/or they might notice alcoholic beverages in your car. Based on this concrete evidence, the officer can arrest you under probable cause of DWI.

In this scenario, the reason for your arrest is due to evidence and probable cause. In some cases, an arrest is the result of a combination of reasonable suspicion and probable cause. Either way, it is important to understand that an arrest is not the end of the line. An arrest does not equal a conviction. That’s why it is critical that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.

What Happens After an Arrest in the Criminal Process?

After an arrest in Gatesville, the criminal justice process follows several critical stages that determine the outcome of your case. Understanding these steps helps you make informed decisions about your defense strategy and what to expect as your case proceeds through the system.

Formal Charges and Arraignment

Following your arrest, prosecutors review the evidence and decide whether to file formal charges against you. For misdemeanors, prosecutors typically file charges in the justice or county court, while felony charges proceed through the grand jury process. At your arraignment, you'll appear before a judge who informs you of the charges against you and your constitutional rights. During this hearing, you'll enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is also when the court addresses bail conditions if you haven't already been released.

Pretrial Proceedings and Discovery

After arraignment, your attorney begins the critical work of building your defense through discovery. During this phase, your lawyer requests and reviews all evidence the prosecution intends to use against you, including police reports, witness statements, video footage, and forensic evidence. Your attorney may file pretrial motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, challenge the sufficiency of the charges, or request dismissal based on procedural defects. These pretrial proceedings often determine the strength of the prosecution's case and create opportunities for favorable negotiations.

Plea Negotiations and Trial

Most criminal cases in Gatesville resolve through plea negotiations rather than going to trial. Your attorney works to negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, dismissed counts, or alternative sentencing recommendations that minimize the impact on your life. If negotiations don't produce an acceptable resolution, your case proceeds to trial where a judge or jury determines your guilt or innocence. Throughout this process, experienced criminal defense representation protects your rights and ensures you understand all options available to you.

Common Criminal Charges in Gatesville

Our Gatesville criminal defense attorneys represent clients facing a wide range of charges and work strategically to minimize penalties and protect your future.

DWI Defense

Driving While Intoxicated charges carry serious consequences including license suspension, substantial fines, jail time, and long-term insurance impacts. We challenge field sobriety test administration, breathalyzer calibration and procedures, and blood test handling to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Our defense strategies focus on suppressing improperly obtained evidence and demonstrating reasonable doubt about intoxication.

Assault Cases

Assault charges range from Class C misdemeanors to first-degree felonies depending on the severity of alleged injuries and circumstances. Penalties can include jail or prison time, fines up to $10,000, and protective orders. We investigate claims of self-defense, mutual combat, or false accusations and work to show that the prosecution cannot prove each element of the offense beyond reasonable doubt.

Theft, Burglary, and Shoplifting

Property crimes carry penalties based on the value of property involved, ranging from Class C misdemeanors for theft under $100 to felonies for higher amounts or burglary charges. Convictions can result in jail time, restitution payments, and permanent criminal records that affect employment. Our attorneys examine the evidence of intent, challenge identification procedures, and negotiate for charge reductions or alternative sentencing including pretrial diversion programs when available.

Drug Offenses

Drug charges encompass possession, delivery, and manufacturing of controlled substances with penalties ranging from state jail felonies to first-degree felonies. We challenge search and seizure procedures, question the chain of custody for drug evidence, and examine whether officers had probable cause for stops and searches. For first-time offenders, we pursue options like drug courts or deferred adjudication that can avoid permanent convictions.

Juvenile Crimes and State Offenses

Juvenile cases require special attention to protect young people's futures from permanent criminal records. We work with the juvenile justice system to pursue rehabilitation-focused outcomes including deferred prosecution and sealed records when possible. For all state offenses, including criminal mischief charges, our defense strategies focus on minimizing collateral consequences including employment barriers, professional licensing impacts, and educational opportunities.

Bond Hearings

Securing reasonable bond conditions is critical for maintaining your employment, family responsibilities, and ability to assist in your defense. We advocate for reduced bail amounts, electronic monitoring in place of cash bonds, and modification of restrictive bond conditions that interfere with your life while your case is pending.

Helping Clients Protect Their Rights

The issue with suspicion and probability is that there is room for error. An attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected at every stage of the criminal process, from arrest to trial.

The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard has defended thousands of clients for over two decades. Attorney Pritchard has a unique understanding of the justice system as a former prosecutor and provides a unique perspective on criminal defense. Choose a law firm you can trust to fight for you.

Contact the Gatesville criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard.