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How to Find the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Dallas to Handle Your Case

Arrests happen every day all over the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Sometimes the arrests are for small crimes, sometimes for major ones.

Once an arrest has been made, the government will decide whether the arrestee will be charged and prosecuted or allowed to go free.

Throughout the process that follows, the police and prosecution will work together to serve the interests of the state.

But who is serving your interests?

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Criminal Defense Attorney

Choosing a specialized attorney who looks out for you should be your number one priority following an arrest.

You’ll want to find an experienced legal representative who understands the laws of the state of Texas. You’ll also want someone familiar with the Dallas county court systems.

After all, it is your reputation and freedom that are at stake.

You’ll want to find the best attorney for the job.

 Look for a Lawyer That Knows the Lay of the Land

If you’ve been arrested and need to hire an attorney, look for one who knows the locals.

Judges and prosecutors are all different. Each one has their own quirks and habits. Some district attorneys may offer plea bargains. Some judges may have strict rules about appearance and document filings.

A criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the court in which you’ll appear will know how things traditionally work there.

It’s a good idea to ask the attorney you are considering how long they have practiced in the area and how often they’ve had cases in the court where you’ll be appearing.

Don’t Pick a Rookie

For an action to be criminal, it needs to meet a certain set of factual criteria. The prosecution and defense of a specific crime are based on whether or not that criterion is met.

Not every defense attorney is knowledgeable about every crime. Many attorneys practice in distinct areas of law.

An attorney that has expertise in drug defense may have little or no experience with crimes such as embezzlement.

If you’ve been charged with a felony in Dallas County, you don’t want to hire an attorney who only handles misdemeanors. Defending someone for crimes involving violence or domestic abuse takes a much different skill set than handling a DUI or theft charge.

Before hiring an attorney, ask whether they’ve handled your type of case before. You should also ask how many similar cases they have handled.

Do a Background Check

Every state licenses and registers the attorneys who are permitted to practice law within its jurisdiction. You can check the status of an attorney before you hire him by contacting your state’s attorney licensing agency. In the state of Texas, attorneys are licensed by the Board of Law Examiners.

To find out the status of an attorney in Texas, you can contact the State Bar of Texas on their website, www.texasbar.com.

When checking on a prospective attorney, confirm that they are licensed and in good standing. You should also ask if they have had any disciplinary complaints filed against them.

Get the Details

Before you select someone to represent you, you should find out exactly who will be representing you. Some attorneys have large staffs and may plan to send another lawyer with you to court. Sending another attorney from the firm to represent you may not be a problem, but it’s something you’ll want to know about beforehand.

If you’ve interviewed an attorney and are really comfortable talking to that person and don’t want to work with someone else, then you need to make sure you’re not going to be handed off to someone else.

When asking about who will be on your team, it is also a good idea to make sure you are comfortable working with your attorney’s DFW support staff. You may be asked to answer questions or discuss your case with someone else from your lawyer’s office from time to time.

Knowing who you’ll be working in advance will help you develop a good working relationship with your entire defense team.

Here’s a quick list of questions you can ask to help you get the answers you need to choose the best attorney to represent you when you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime:

  • How long have you been a criminal defense attorney and how many cases of my type have you handled?
  • Do you consider yourself a specialist in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex? Have you done any extra training to handle this type of case?
  • Are you familiar with the court where I’ll be appearing? What do you know about this judge and prosecutor?
  • How many people will be working on my case? Will I be able to speak to you directly if I have a question?
  • What are the chances that this matter will go to trial? Will I have to go before a jury? How many jury trials have you handled?
  • How will I be billed for your services? Do you charge fees for document copying and phone calls? Am I billed for the time your staff spends on my case? Is there any extra charge if we go to trial?
  • What happens if we disagree about how my case should be handled? What if you think I should take a plea and I don’t want to?
  • What is the worst case scenario for my case? Is there anything I can do now to improve my chances of being found innocent or receiving a more lenient sentence?

 

Take the Time You Need

You may feel like you are out of time if you’ve been arrested, or criminal charges have been filed. But you will want to take the time to follow the steps above and choose the attorney that can give you the best representation possible.

Every person is entitled to a defense when they’ve been charged with a crime.

If you’ve been arrested or charge with a crime in Dallas, I’m happy to discuss your options with you. You can call me at my office (972) 661-8330 or schedule an appointment online. I’ll provide you with a free case evaluation and answer any questions that you might have.

 

 

 

What Are the Key Differences Between Infractions Misdemeanor and Felonies in Texas?

The U.S. criminal systems across the country separate criminal activities into a few various categories based upon how serious the crimes committed are.

This classification including (infractions, misdemeanor, felony) will determine how the court system treats each case, so it is important to understand the differences.

What’s the difference between an Infraction, Felony and Misdemeanor?

As a rule of thumb, these violations or crimes are separated by the potential jail time (if any) a person could face.

When an individual breaks the law, they might face a wide variety of charges depending upon the nature of the offence and any other factors that may have a bearing on the charges, such as previous offenses.

Nevertheless, a very crucial factor that distinguishes the type criminal charges is whether they are classified as infractions, misdemeanors or felony crimes.

Infractions (sometimes called violations) are typically smaller petty offenses that are normally punishable by tickets or fines, but not jail time. The most common form of infractions are Traffic violations such as a speeding ticket.

Misdemeanors are generally considered to be less severe than felony crimes. The practical distinction between something that might be a Class A misdemeanor (the most severe level of misdemeanor crime) and a state jail felony (the least severe level of felony crime) under Texas law can be relatively small.

With that said, there are major differences between felony and misdemeanor charges that can significantly impact a person’s life.

Differences between Misdemeanors and Felonies

Classifications of Crimes

The following is a brief explanation of some of the key differences between misdemeanors and felonies:

Misdemeanors generally lead to a maximum sentence of a year or less in jail, whereas felonies can lead to life imprisonment or perhaps the death penalty in the State of Texas.

Felonies are considered a much more serious or violent crime such as (murder, rape, kidnapping, arson, embezzlement, theft of property, etc.) and offences range from Capital Felony to First Degree to Second-Degree to Third-Degree Felonies.

Felons typically lose vital civil liberties such as the right to bear arms or be eligible to register to vote compared to those who have had a misdemeanor conviction typically do not.

These are just some of the most critical differences between these classes of crime in Texas.

Regardless of whether you have been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, Attorney Amanda Branan is fully prepared to help you fight for your rights under the law.  Click HERE to email the Law Office of Amanda Branan, PLLC or call (972) 661-8330 today to receive a free initial consultation about your case.

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Law Office of Amanda Branan, PLLC defends clients throughout the Dallas / Ft. Worth Metroplex area, including the areas of Irving, Arlington, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Grand Prairie, Allen, Frisco, Denton, Highland Park, Carrollton, McKinney, The Colony, Rockwall, Cedar Hill, Mesquite, Duncanville, University Park, Farmers Branch, Waxahachie, Paris, Dallas, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Collin County, Denton County, Rockwall, Ellis County and Lamar County.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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