Your freedom and your future are in peril when you have been charged with any type of criminal offense in Valley Mills. The best way to protect yourself and your legal rights is to seek immediate legal help from an experienced criminal defense attorney, who can fight for the best possible outcome in your case. 

What Are the Types of Criminal Charges That You Can Face in Valley Mills?

Under Texas law, criminal charges are broken down into the following general categories:

• Misdemeanors are less serious offenses, but you should never make the mistake that they are minor in nature. Misdemeanors are broken down into three separate classes, and some of them can lead to potential jail time. A Class A misdemeanor is the most serious type, and you can be sentenced to up to a year in prison if you are convicted.
• Felonies are a more serious crime. Some, but not all, felonies require that you possess the necessary intent to have committed the crime. The range of jail time for felony convictions is between 180 days to life in prison. The severity of the sentence depends on both the nature of the alleged crime and whether there are any mitigating or aggravating circumstances. 

Whether the prosecutor charges you with a misdemeanor or felony depends on the facts of your case. In some instances, the prosecutor will use their discretion as to how they charge the alleged crime. 

What Are the Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Valley Mills?

The threat to your freedom is just one thing that you have to worry about when you have been charged with a crime. When you are convicted of a crime, you will end up with a record that can follow you for the rest of your life. Having a criminal record can make it more difficult to find a job or even a place to live. If the conviction was for a felony, you may lose your right to carry firearms. While you are serving your sentence for a felony (including probation time), you will even lose your right to vote. Finally, there may be impacts to your custody or immigration case, depending on the nature of the conviction. 

Common Defenses to Criminal Charges in Texas

If you have been charged with a crime, you may have defenses that you can use in your case. It is the prosecutor who has the burden of proof to demonstrate every element of the alleged crime. If they cannot do so, you cannot be convicted of the charges against you. Some defenses that a lawyer may use on behalf of their client include:

• There was no probable cause to arrest you in the first place or to carry out a search and seizure that took evidence being used against you in court
• Your rights were violated in the post-arrest process, such as when law enforcement continued to question you when you expressed a desire for an attorney to be present
• You lack the necessary intent to commit the crime
• An alibi showing that you could not have committed the crime

Your criminal defense lawyer will work to establish defenses that you can use. They will also evaluate the evidence that the prosecutor has turned over with an eye towards challenging it in court. 

Why You Need a Valley Mills Criminal Defense Attorney

When you are facing criminal charges in Valley Mills, the situation is not going to go away on its own. You will need to deal with the charges against you by defending yourself. Here, a criminal defense can mean one of several courses of action. You can choose to fight the charges against you, which means filing a motion with the court to have them dismissed or taking your case all the way to a trial in front of a jury. You can also choose to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor, in which you plead guilty in exchange for either lesser charges or a reduced sentence.

Either way, you need legal help from an experienced Valley Mills criminal defense lawyer, and you must hire them immediately. You simply have too much to risk by being on your own for any extended period of time. 

Contact a Valley Mills Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are facing criminal charges in Valley Mills, your future and freedom deserve strong protection. The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard provides experienced, aggressive defense focused on protecting your rights at every stage of the criminal process. Whether you are dealing with a misdemeanor or a serious felony, we work to minimize consequences and pursue the best possible outcome. Contact a Valley Mills criminal defense attorney today by messaging us online or by calling us at 254-781-4222 to schedule a confidential consultation and start building your defense with confidence.