Updated on August 15, 2024
As citizens of the United States, we have rights, including the right to be represented by a lawyer during every stage of the criminal court process. Regardless of the legal circumstances, having an experienced attorney by your side is always in your best interests.
While anyone who is arrested can exercise their constitutional right to be represented by a criminal defense attorney, many people are reluctant to hire a Georgetown criminal defense attorney right away.
If you are facing a criminal charge—even a charge that you may consider to be relatively minor—you are well-advised to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side.
A conviction comes with penalties and fines, and it is also a matter of public record. Any conviction can significantly affect your social standing and future. Taking criminal charges seriously is always the best course of action.
If you have not contacted a criminal lawyer immediately after your arrest or as soon as you become aware of the charges against you, take the following information into account as you search for a lawyer to represent your best interests in and out of court.
When You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are unsure whether you need a criminal defense attorney, remember that many crimes have harsh penalties, including imprisonment. This thought alone may be convincing enough to motivate you to contact a Georgetown criminal defense lawyer to represent you.
It is not recommended to take your chances when you are facing criminal charges in Georgetown or other parts of Texas. It is imperative to have a skilled lawyer on your side during the entirety of the criminal court process, which includes the following stages:
Arraignment
Pre-trial conference
Trial
Pre-sentence investigation
Sentencing
Appeals (“How Does an Appeal Work, and What If Mine Is Denied?”)
A knowledgeable criminal lawyer understands the unique procedures at each step and will zealously advocate for your rights and interests to protect your freedom and help you avoid a conviction. Contact a lawyer today to get the support you need throughout the criminal court process.
Signs That You Should Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Facing criminal charges is a frustrating and stressful experience for you and your family. However, the worst thing you can do is just sit and wait for your arraignment or trial date, hoping that your charges will be dismissed. It is unlikely that the charges against you will be dismissed if you do not hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you.
If you are not sure when to hire a criminal defense lawyer, review these four signs that you need an attorney to defend you against criminal charges:
You Committed the Criminal Offense
If you actually committed a criminal offense and know the charges against you are valid, it is imperative to hire a Georgetown criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
It is essential to have a lawyer on your side—even if you are guilty—for the following reasons:
Your attorney will thoroughly review your case to help you understand your options.
Your attorney can help you negotiate a favorable plea deal.
Your lawyer can help you get your charges dropped or even dismissed under some circumstances, including if your constitutional rights were violated during your arrest or if there is insufficient evidence to convict you.
You Are Innocent
Unfortunately, many people who are falsely accused of a crime choose to represent themselves because they mistakenly believe that they do not need a lawyer. However, just because you are innocent does not mean that you will not be convicted of the crime. You still need to convince the court that you are not guilty.
An experienced attorney can identify the best defense strategies in your situation to prove that you are innocent.
You Could Go to Jail
If the penalties for the offense you were charged with include jail time, it is vital to speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. Charges that could result in imprisonment should be taken very seriously because you need a solid defense strategy.
A Georgetown criminal defense attorney can help you reduce the sentence or dismiss the charge altogether, depending on the nature and severity of the offense.
You Are under Investigation
If you become aware of an ongoing investigation and possible criminal charges, it is crucial to talk to a lawyer right away. Do not wait until the prosecutor files the charges against you. As a rule of thumb, it is easier to convince the prosecutor not to file charges than to fight against the charges that have been filed.
Your criminal defense attorney will review the evidence against you to prove that you are innocent and cannot be charged with a crime. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the stronger the defense you can mount. The stronger the defense, the better the chance of a positive outcome.
What Your Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Brings to the Table
There are several important reasons why you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side if you are facing a criminal charge of any kind in the State of Texas.
Knowledge of the Legal System
Having a dedicated criminal defense attorney in your corner ensures that you will have a reliable guide through the judicial system, which can prove invaluable. The legal system is nothing if not confusing, and failing to understand the ins and outs of the process, failing to protect your legal rights, and failing to ensure your case’s best possible resolution can land you in hot water.
Having a skilled Georgetown criminal defense attorney with a close working knowledge of your case will allow you to proceed with the confidence that your legal rights are well protected and that your best interests have been taken into careful account.
Demystifying the judicial process is half the battle, which is one very important reason why hiring a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney early in the process is paramount.
Standing Relationships
Experienced criminal defense attorneys have established close working relationships within the judicial system, including with the prosecution. While a strong working bond between adversarial sides (your defense and the prosecution) may strike you as odd, it can actually prove extremely beneficial.
Optimal case outcomes often come down to negotiating plea deals or even having charges dropped altogether, which requires skilled negotiations with the prosecution.
When your criminal defense attorney knows how the prosecutor in your case operates and understands the best path forward with his or her preferences and idiosyncrasies, it can greatly improve your chances of reaching your case’s most beneficial outcome.
Experience with Similar Cases
You are facing a criminal charge and are likely at a total loss for how to move forward with your case. However, your seasoned criminal defense attorney has been here before. He or she knows what to expect, how to build your strongest defense, and how best to proceed.
While no two cases are ever exactly alike, the legal basics generally remain the same for all similar cases. Your criminal defense attorney’s experience guiding cases like yours to favorable resolutions can go a long way. When it comes to your criminal defense, never underestimate the value of your attorney’s experience successfully handling similar cases.
Eyes on the Prize
Your criminal defense attorney has his or her sights on what is most important—your future—which means that he or she is dedicated to doing what it takes to defend your legal rights within the parameters of the law and the evidence in your case.
Ultimately, your attorney will focus on crafting your strongest defense and skillfully negotiating with the prosecution for the best possible terms moving forward, whatever this means in your unique case.
Understanding of Your Constitutional Rights
You have the constitutional right to remain silent and to legal counsel, but your rights don’t end here. One of your attorney’s primary goals is safeguarding all of the following constitutional rights:
The right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty
The right to due process
In order to effectively protect your constitutional rights, your focused criminal defense attorney will carefully go over the police officers’ conduct, the procedures used in evidence collection, the courtroom practices employed, and more. Your constitutional rights are paramount, and your attorney will spare no effort to ensure that they’re upheld throughout the legal process.
Understanding of the Conduct of Law Enforcement
Your criminal defense attorney has a close working knowledge of the legal limits that guide law enforcement, which can prove exceptionally beneficial in your criminal case. The police are not without limits, and not everything they come up with is going to hold up in court.
Because attorneys understand the law’s blind spots, loopholes, and nuanced requirements, you can count on them to hone in on any infringements of your legal rights. An important element of the work performed by criminal defense attorneys is ferreting out any illegal or suspicious conduct on the part of law enforcement and determining how this conduct affects your case.
The police may have engaged in the following kinds of actions and failures that can seriously weaken the case against you:
Failing to Mirandize you – or failing to read you your rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney
Obtaining evidence against you through illegal search and seizure practices
Using coercive questioning to obtain a confession from you
Your attorney will tailor your defense to the unique case against you through skillful strategizing that effectively addresses the specific circumstances, giving you confidence and clarity in the process.
Avoidance of Self-Incrimination
Your criminal lawyer will speak on your behalf and will not incriminate you in the process. The fact is that the police are adept at guiding suspects’ testimonies, and after being stopped by the police is a terrible time to try to think on your feet. If you have a lawyer on your side, he or she can guide you through the interrogation process and help you avoid self-incrimination.
Control over Potential Outcomes
You have been charged with a crime, and you are very likely fretting that you will ultimately face the worst possible outcome that the law can throw at you, but with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, this is not likely to be the case. In fact, an important facet of your attorney’s job is to help you understand what is likely to happen in your case and what your best options are.
The best path forward for you will be specific to your unique situation, but you can trust your criminal defense attorney to provide you with knowledgeable guidance every step of the way. This guidance will help ensure that you obtain the best deal and the most favorable case resolution possible in your specific situation.
Is a plea deal best for you, or are you better off battling the prosecution in court? These are questions that only you and your Georgetown criminal defense attorney can answer—after thoroughly examining the specifics of your case.
Negotiation Skills
Sometimes, striking a plea deal with the prosecution is advantageous, and at other times, it’s not. If you do make a plea deal, it’s important to recognize that although the charge against you and the penalties you face may have been reduced, you are still pleading guilty, which will directly affect your criminal record.
Whether or not a plea deal is advised depends on the unique circumstances of your case, and your attorney is well positioned to help you make this call. Further, you can count on your attorney to engage in polished negotiations that can help create a much better deal than you may otherwise have been offered.
Your attorney’s proven negotiation skills can also play a pivotal role in obtaining reasonable bail or in you being released on your own recognizance.
Finally, if your case goes to trial, your attorney’s negotiation skills can determine how the case against you proceeds. For example, objecting to a line of questioning is a form of negotiation that can impact the outcome of your case.
Your Criminal Defense Attorney Will Be Well Prepared for Trial
While most criminal cases are settled out of court, some do go to trial. If you and your attorney determine that going to court is the best route for you, you can rely on them to be very well prepared to defend your rights while artfully demonstrating the prosecution’s failure to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The process of preparing to defend you successfully at trial includes all the following steps:
Conducting thorough investigations into every aspect of the case against you
Identifying and skillfully interviewing all relevant witnesses
Carefully crafting solid arguments in your defense that resonate with the jury and are difficult for the prosecution to refute
Delivering powerful opening and closing statements that the jury finds compelling
Your attorney’s experience in the courtroom gives them the boost they need to cast doubt on the state’s case, which is at the heart of all tight criminal defense strategies.
Potential to Save Money
Yes, hiring a reputable criminal defense attorney can be expensive, but the truth of the matter is that having solid legal representation on your side can save you money in the long run. A conviction can lead to serious legal consequences and hefty fines with untold financial ramifications.
Resolving your case favorably can benefit your reputation, save you money, and protect your future—making hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney a bargain.
Finding the Right Attorney for You
If you’ve never faced a criminal charge before, you’ve likely never worked with a criminal attorney and may have no idea how to go about choosing one. Fortunately, there are two important steps you can take to help make the process less daunting.
Do Your Research
Instead of calling the first criminal defense attorney you find on your phone, take a good look around. Not all criminal defense attorneys are created equal. You should look for the following qualities in a criminal defense attorney:
Focused on criminal defense – rather than dabbling in criminal defense
Experienced in the criminal defense arena
Has an impressive track record of successfully guiding challenging criminal cases toward beneficial resolutions
Knowledgeable about the law, empathetic about your position, and ready to represent you all the way through from start to finish (An attorney who can’t give your case the time it needs is not the right attorney for you.)
Ready, willing, and able to fight for your rights in a court setting – if going to trial is the right choice for you
Prepared to negotiate exhaustively with the prosecution and gifted at doing so
Able to help you explore your options –Â empowering you in the process.
The right attorney for you has an online presence that resonates with you. You’re looking for a good fit and a fierce advocate, and the firm’s online offerings can give you a pretty good feel for the kind of legal team you’ll be working with.
Word of Mouth
If you know someone who has had great success working with a criminal defense attorney or who highly recommends one, it can help you narrow down your search. Another excellent resource is the reviews and testimonials that prior clients write for their criminal defense attorneys.
What to Look for When Choosing a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Choosing a criminal defense attorney is a daunting task. However, it is crucial to find the right lawyer for your specific case because the choice of your criminal defense attorney will significantly impact the outcome of your case.
Here are several things you should look for when choosing a Georgetown criminal defense lawyer:
Experienced
The lawyer needs to have vast experience representing clients in criminal cases similar to yours. For example, some criminal defense lawyers mainly focus on DWI cases, but they may not be able to effectively defend you in a sexual offense or drug crime case.
You should also be sure that your prospective lawyer has an impressive track record overall, proving that he or she is skilled at guiding cases to positive resolutions.
Understanding
When choosing a Georgetown criminal lawyer, it is essential to make sure that you are hiring someone who understands how to handle your case to help you secure a positive outcome.
Local
It is advisable to hire a local attorney with experience working with the local criminal justice system, connections with local judges and prosecutors, and proven ability to work with the local prosecution. For example, if you were charged with a crime in Georgetown, it makes sense to look for a criminal defense lawyer in Georgetown.
Trustworthy
It is also important to hire someone you can trust. You are going to have to share personal information with your attorney, so it is essential to feel comfortable opening up to him or her. (“Is Everything I Tell My Criminal Defense Lawyer Confidential?”)
If a lawyer fails to impress you and gain your trust during your free initial consultation, consider finding another one.
Dedicated
An attorney who genuinely cares about the outcome of your case, who has time to take on your case, who will give it his or her all, and who will go to the mat for you is a dedicated attorney who will fight to protect your legal rights and your future.
Reasonable and Transparent
Last but not least, it is essential to hire a lawyer with reasonable and transparent fees. A skilled Georgetown criminal defense attorney can estimate the cost of legal representation during the first consultation or meeting.
FAQ about Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
The answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to criminal charges may help you answer your most pressing questions.
Doesn’t Hiring an Attorney Make Me Look Guilty?
If you have been arrested for a crime, it is time to put away your concerns about how things look and reach out to an experienced Georgetown criminal defense attorney. Your legal rights are far more important than appearances, and if the police have arrested you, they already think you are guilty.
Do not be fooled into forsaking your rights in an effort to maintain the appearance of innocence. Plenty of innocent people are found guilty, so do yourself a favor and reach out to a criminal defense attorney sooner rather than later.
Further, if you are being questioned about a crime, cutting your losses and moving directly toward calling an attorney is a sound approach. Again, the police are questioning you because they believe you played a role, and the distance between being questioned and being charged is often short.
What Should I Do If I Am Arrested for a Crime?
Being arrested for a crime is a terrifying event that can leave you at an utter loss regarding how best to proceed. Although your situation will be specific to the circumstances involved, there are some basic tips you should know that apply across the board and that can help you:
Provide the officer with your name and contact information.
Maintain your composure.
Ask for an attorney from the outset.
Do what you are asked to do, but remain silent until your attorney arrives.
Do not talk about the charges or the case on the phone.
Do not agree to anything in relation to the charge, and do not sign anything before your attorney arrives.
Many people mistakenly believe that, because they are innocent, explaining their innocence to the police is the best course of action, but this is a naive approach. Although the police are generally skilled at what they do, they are also predisposed to believe their own assumptions, presumptions, and hunches regarding guilt, whether they are true in the case at hand or not.
Do yourself a favor and allow your dedicated Georgetown criminal defense attorney to handle the police on your behalf. This advice applies when you are arrested in any of the following situations:
Pulled Over for a Traffic Stop
Texas traffic stops often lead to arrests for possession. With the hyper-focus on opioids, you can even be arrested for prescription medications like Xanax or OxyContin if you don’t have your prescription bottle with you. Being pulled over by the police can leave the most poised among us rattled, so do not take this opportunity to explain yourself—wait for your lawyer.
A Georgetown criminal defense lawyer can help you navigate all of the complex situations that may arise from a suspicion of possession. Contact a lawyer today to avoid a conviction.
Arrested for Shoplifting
Generally, the stores we shop in have cameras installed throughout them, and if you are caught on camera even innocently putting a can of cat food in your pocket while you search for your phone in your bag, it can lead to a shoplifting arrest.
These charges can be serious, so it is important to know your rights if you are accused of shoplifting. If a shoplifting accusation arises, ask for a lawyer right away.
Subjected to Search and Seizure
Often, a routine traffic stop for a defective light—or anything else—can morph into a situation where the officer believes he or she has the right to search the vehicle in question.
For example, if an officer stops you for speeding, decides that he or she smells marijuana, and then proceeds to search your vehicle without your permission, it may be a case of unreasonable search and seizure.
However inconvenient this situation may be, this is no time to get lippy—keep your cool and ask for a lawyer. In this situation, your silence is the best strategy.
What Are Some Common Criminal Charges in the State of Texas?
While criminal charges come in many different forms, some are far more common than others.
Larceny-Theft
Larceny-theft is the legal term for theft, which refers to taking someone else’s property unlawfully. The penalties and fees associated with theft are generally dependent upon the value of the stolen goods, and the level of the charge can range from a misdemeanor to a felony. Fines range from $500 to $10,000, and sentences can stretch as far as 20 years behind bars.
Burglary
The charges of burglary and theft are often confused, but there are considerable distinctions. Burglary involves the commission of a felony, theft, or assault in the process of entering someone else’s private property.
The charge levied depends upon the value of the stolen property and the nature of the property that was illegally entered, but the charges can range from state jail felonies all the way to first-degree felonies. Fines can be as high as $10,000, and sentences can reach the level of confinement for life.
Motor Vehicle Theft
Because of the value of stolen vehicles, motor vehicle theft is in a class by itself. Motor vehicle theft can involve any of the following crimes:
Buying or selling stolen vehicles
Failing to register a vehicle
Selling parts out of abandoned or wrecked vehicles that do not belong to the seller
Motor vehicle theft typically starts as a Class A misdemeanor and can reach the level of a third-degree felony, depending on the vehicle’s value.
Drug Crimes
Drug crimes can range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Drugs are classified according to penalty groups, and the associated charges vary accordingly. The amount of the drug involved also plays a pivotal role in the attendant charge. Common drug charges include the following crimes:
Possession
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Drug conspiracy
Distribution of a controlled substance
Possession with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance
Drug trafficking
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault relates to either causing the victim to lose function of a body part—even temporarily (for example, by breaking the victim’s arm)—or using or exhibiting a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime.
Aggravated assault usually carries a charge of a second-degree felony, and a conviction can lead to fines of up to $10,000 and a sentence lasting 2 to 20 years.
Other Common Misdemeanors
Misdemeanor charges break down into three classes. Some of the most common misdemeanors are listed below:
Assault
Disorderly conduct
Public intoxication
Indecent exposure
Violation of protective order
Possession of a small amount of marijuana
What Happens If My Case Goes to Trial?
If your case goes to trial, you have the right to choose whether you want it to be heard by just a judge or by a judge and a jury. While this is your right as the defendant, there is an additional layer that applies in the State of Texas. If you choose to have your case heard by a judge alone, the prosecution must agree with your request.
Most cases that go to trial are in front of a jury, but there are instances when a bench trial – or a trial that’s heard by the judge alone – is preferred. Your attorney will help you determine which type of trial is best for you and will negotiate with the protection to help you obtain the type of trial you need.
What Are the Consequences of a Conviction?
If you are convicted of a criminal charge, the consequences can be life-altering. Better understanding the legal and social ramifications can help you better understand the importance of having a practiced Georgetown criminal defense attorney behind you.
Misdemeanor Charges
While misdemeanor charges are less serious than felony charges, this doesn’t alter the fact that they still pack a significant legal punch that can include jail time, steep fines, and a criminal record. There are also all the following social consequences to consider:
Your reputation can be seriously tarnished.
Your professional license can be affected or even canceled.
It can make finding a job more difficult.
It can affect your ability to rent an apartment or to buy a home through a home loan.
It can interfere with your ability to obtain federal financial aid, which can derail your plans for higher education and career development.
It can derail your efforts to obtain favorable child custody arrangements.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that “it’s only a misdemeanor.” A conviction can directly affect your future, and bringing your strongest defense is always the best policy.
Felony Charges
The dividing line between charges that are classified as misdemeanors and charges that are classified as felonies is based on the fines and penalties attached. Misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail and fines of up to $4,000. On the other hand, felonies carry from 6 months to 2 years in a state jail – for a state jail felony – or more than a year in prison and fines that can exceed $10,000 for any other felony charge.
If you have a felony conviction on your record, you can expect all the same social challenges faced by those with misdemeanor convictions, but the degree of impact can be turned up several notches. Additionally, if you have a felony conviction on your record, it means you can’t own or be in possession of a gun.
The sole exception to this restriction is that if five years have elapsed since you completed your prison sentence (including any parole or probation requirements), you can possess a gun in your home. However, federal law denies gun ownership and possession to anyone convicted of a felony punishable by more than a year in prison – and they don’t offer any exceptions.
Get a Free Consultation with Our Georgetown Criminal Defense Lawyers
When it comes to criminal charges, the question of whether or not you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side is the easiest of all, and the universal answer is yes, you do.
Brett Pritchard at the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard—proudly serving Georgetown, Texas—is a savvy criminal defense attorney whose practice focuses on guiding cases toward resolutions that benefit his clients, and he is here for you. Your legal rights and freedoms are too important to leave to chance, so please do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at (254) 781-4222.