If you have been charged with a crime, it does not mean that you are guilty of the crime, but it may not feel that way in the moment. Now is the time to focus on your rights, to retain skilled legal guidance, and to build a strong defense that leads to an advantageous outcome. This may seem like a lot when you are reeling from the effects of being charged in the first place, but taking action now can make all the difference when it comes to your future, and an experienced Hewitt criminal defense attorney at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard is well prepared to help.

Common Criminal Charges

Some of the most common criminal charges throughout Texas include the following:

• Theft
• Burglary
• Assault
• Criminal misconduct
• DWI
• Juvenile crimes
• Drug crimes

Building a Strong Defense on Your Behalf

The right criminal defense lawyer for you will do everything in their power to build a strong defense on your behalf, and this breaks down into several key categories.  

Gathering Evidence

Yes, the police and the prosecution will engage in evidence gathering in pursuit of a guilty finding against you, but evidence does not begin and end with the prosecution. Your diligent criminal defense attorney will engage in evidence gathering of their own, and this includes conducting their own investigations and making discovery demands to both the police and the prosecution. 

The bottom line is that the other side may not hand over everything they have without being prodded. And your determined legal counsel will not stop until they have unearthed all the available evidence. 

Qualifying the Evidence

While some evidence might be used against you, there is other evidence that may speak to your innocence, which is called exculpatory evidence. Your lawyer will spare no effort in their quest to consider each piece of evidence in terms of its credibility, its admissibility, and its weight regarding whether it is likely to support your defense or harm it.  

Considering Your Case

Many criminal cases hinge on one or two pieces of critical evidence. The vast majority of successful defenses are also based on evidence. In other words, it is difficult to overstate the importance of evidence gathering when it comes to your defense, and you are looking for a criminal defense attorney who is well-versed in the intricacies of investigation. 

Chipping Away at the Prosecution’s Case 

The state must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is an incredibly high legal bar, but the best defenses generally do not rely solely upon the prosecution failing to prove that the defendant’s guilt is the only reasonable explanation. A better approach is to present your own well-founded position on the matter, which should cast doubt on the prosecution’s case. 

While the state may have created a tidy narrative that they refuse to budge from, this does not make it the truth. Your persuasive criminal defense attorney will craft a narrative for your defense that highlights every weakness in the state’s case and bolsters your version of events. 

Negotiating with the Prosecution 

The stronger your defense, the greater your savvy criminal defense lawyer’s leverage will be when it comes to negotiations. Ideally, the case against you will be dropped altogether, such as if you can prove an ironclad alibi or have a defense that the state has a difficult time refuting. When this is not a possibility, however, negotiating a favorable plea deal may be in order. Whether this is the case or not depends on a wide range of variables that include:

• The strength of the prosecution’s case against you
• The strength of your defense
• The scope of the available evidence

Another primary concern is where you draw the line in terms of balancing the pros and cons associated with the plea deal you have been offered. 

While the charge against you is likely to be lessened along with the penalties you face, a plea deal translates to pleading guilty, which means you will have a criminal record. And a criminal record comes with social consequences. There is also, of course, a risk associated with going to trial. Your focused criminal defense attorney will help you determine the right course of action for you in your unique situation. 

Turn to an Experienced Hewitt Criminal Defense Lawyer for the Help You Need Today

Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard is a trusted Hewitt criminal defense attorney with decades of imposing experience backing him up. Mr. Pritchard appreciates how important obtaining an optimal case outcome is to your future and will leave no stone unturned in his dedicated efforts to make that happen. We are on your side, here to help, and encourage you to reach out for more information about what we can do for you by contacting or calling us at 254-781-4222 today.