A felony accusation or conviction can destroy your life. For assistance in clearing your name, reach out to an experienced felony attorney in Dallas.
If you’ve been charged with a felony crime and are unsure of what you should do next, you can start by retaining legal representation. Felonies are the worst type of crime you can be charged with. The consequences of a guilty verdict are high, both personally and legally.
At Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C., your Dallas felony lawyer will prepare a defensive strategy that can increase your chances of being acquitted. Or, if the evidence against you is substantial, your attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to obtain a plea bargain that could reduce the severity of your penalties. Now more than ever, you should exercise your right to an attorney.
As you can imagine, the ramifications of being found guilty will vary depending on the type of felony you’ve been charged with, the specific crime, and many other factors. In Texas, felonies are divided into degrees.
A state jail felony is the least-severe type of felony charge but is still punishable by up to two years in a Texas state jail and fines not to exceed $10,000. An example of a state jail felony could be assault with a deadly weapon.
Next are third-degree felonies. Many drug possession charges fall under this category and are punishable by a maximum of ten years imprisonment, as well as fines of up to $10,000. A second-degree felony could stem from a domestic violence charge, for example. If convicted, you could face up to twenty years in prison and be ordered to pay fines as high as $10,000.
But the two most severe types of felonies are first-degree felonies and capital felonies. Aggravated sexual assault or kidnapping are a couple of types of crimes that warrant a first-degree felony charge, while homicide is grounds for a capital felony charge.
Someone convicted of a first-degree felony could expect to spend life in prison and be ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, while those found guilty of a capital felony can be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In Texas, a death sentence is also on the table for this kind of conviction.
Your attorney will need to thoroughly investigate the crime against you, as well as any evidence the state has gathered that suggests your guilt. Only then will we be able to build a strong criminal case defense. Once we have learned more about the crime you’ve been charged with, we’ll know whether to argue affirmatively, argue self-defense or insanity, or take another strategy that will be best for your case.
However, your case may not even end up going to court. Felony charges aren’t issued lightly, and in some cases, accepting a plea agreement may be to your benefit. Rest assured that your lawyer will only recommend the route that is most likely to help you move forward with your life.
For assistance in defending yourself against a felony charge, consult with our team of highly trained criminal defense attorneys at Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C.. You can schedule your initial case review with your Dallas felony lawyer by submitting the quick contact form we have provided at the bottom of this page or by giving our office a call at 214-665-6930.