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Criminal Defense Lawyers

Being investigated or arrested for a criminal offense can be a very unpleasant experience for most people. Though television shows depict criminal cases that are usually solved in a matter of days or weeks and where the innocent person walks away free, unfortunately, that is not the case in real life.

Criminal cases can range from minor misdemeanors to serious crimes. These include DUI/DWI offences, hot checks, various white collar crimes, drug related crimes, theft, assault, cases relating to harmful, illegal weapons, battery and murder.

Under Texas laws, which also govern criminal defense cases in Austin , a first time DUI/DWI conviction is classified as a class B misdemeanor and can attract a 6 month jail sentence and a fine of $2000. Second offences are categorized class A and involve a 1 year jail sentence and a $4000 fine. The third conviction is considered to be a third degree felony and carries a 10 year jail sentence and a $10,000 fine. Suspension of the convict’s driving license many accompany all the above.

Be prepared! Criminal Defense lawyer, like many kinds of lawyers are very pricey. You may be expected to pay a large retainer up front. Make sure to inquire about all costs ahead of time. For many, however, if a lawyer can get you out of trouble, it's worth all the money you'll pay.

Possession and delivery of controlled substances such as drugs are classified asfelonies. The state’s laws consider the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana a misdemeanor. The sentences depend on the quantity of the drug in possession or delivered. Crimes that involve serious bodily harm to another person are usually classified as aggravated assault cases. These usually carry jail sentences of 20 years and a $10,000 fine. However, the sentence may vary depending on the seriousness of the injury and the person’s criminal record.

Criminal defense attorneys try to make use of various provisions in the state’s laws to try and prove their client’s innocence or the minimum possible sentence. For example, an Administrative License Revocation Hearing can be used in DWI/DUI cases toprevent the offender’s license from being suspended. Similarly, the attorney can make use of a “Hobby Release” provision to get a person out of jail if he is arrested at odd hours, when there is no possibility of meeting the judge or applying for bail.

A criminal defense attorney can also make use of a provision in the laws of Texas to have a person’s criminal records erased. Moreover, the laws also allow for the non-disclosure of a person’s criminal records after he has term of deferred adjudication probation.

There are many criminal defense lawyers to be found in Austin . Though many of them practice criminal law in addition to many other areas of practice, there are quite a few who specialize solely in criminal law; almost all of whom offer free initial consultations.

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