Criminal Defense
When to Plea and When to Fight Your Charges
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Killeen, Copperas Cove, or anywhere in Central Texas, you may immediately start weighing your options. Should you plead guilty? But you are innocent! Should you fight your charges? But then you might get jail time! There are pros and cons to each, but no matter…
Read MoreWhy Eyewitness Accounts Aren’t Trustworthy
If you were charged with a crime, prosecutors may want to bring in eyewitnesses to help convict you. Or maybe you want to bring an eyewitness onto the stand to help prove your innocence. It seems like a great tactic to use for either side. After all, the eyewitnesses are the people who actually saw…
Read MoreGrand Jury, Petit Jury, and Bench Trials: What’s the Difference?
Most people believe that when you get charged with a crime, you will typically have a trial and bring in a jury to determine whether you should be convicted or not. But what many people do not know is that you, as the defendant, actually have the choice of how you want your case to…
Read MoreShould I Talk to the Police If I Haven’t Been Arrested?
Maybe you made a mistake. Maybe you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or maybe you feel that you have absolutely nothing to hide. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself in the company of police – particularly police who want to ask you questions and have you answer those questions without…
Read MoreHow Does Bail Work in Central Texas?
On television and in the movies, bail seems to be a pretty straightforward process. The judge announces “bail is set at X dollars,” bangs the gavel, and the defendant convinces a loved one to get the money together. Depending on the dollar amount the judge named, and the defendant’s or their loved one’s finances, the…
Read MoreWhen Is it Self-Defense and When Is it Aggravated Assault?
The general term “assault” comprises a variety of crimes under the Texas penal code, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. The Texas criminal justice system can be harsh and swift, and if you find yourself facing any type of assault charges, it’s important to get started on your defense as soon as possible. When you get…
Read MoreIs It Still Assault If Someone Provokes You?
Many assaults happen because a defendant was provoked by the victim. As a general rule, provocation is not a defense to the crime of assault. If you’re provoked, Texas law generally requires that you walk away or contact the local police. Fighting or using force if provoked is typically not an appropriate response. However, there…
Read MoreHow Do You Prove Intent in “Burglary of Habitation”?
There are many different types of defenses when you’re charged with a crime in Central Texas. Our Killeen criminal defense lawyers assert your Constitutional defenses. We hold the government to its burden to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. One defense that we regularly examine is whether you violated the precise terms of the…
Read MoreWhy a Bar Fight Can Land You in Prison
It’s a common scene on television and in the movies. Two patrons get into a fight. In the old days of TV westerns, they might resolve their differences in a gunfight. Some shows and films would have a fight that escalated into involving everyone in the bar. A common scene shows one patron sliding completely…
Read MoreCan You Be Charged with Deadly Conduct if You Don’t Have a Gun?
Texas laws regarding guns can be difficult to understand. On one hand, the state allows people to carry handguns in public without a license to carry. On the other, if a person with no criminal history feels threatened and subsequently pulls their firearm from their holster, purse, or glove box, they could be facing a…
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