Your Family Member Was Arrested: Now What?

If you have a family member charged with a criminal offense in Dallas, Texas, it is important to know what to do next. Criminal charges can often be false, brought unfairly, or based on flimsy evidence. This is why you should consult a reputable defense lawyer without wasting any time. Your lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options.

Criminal offenses are typically categorized as felonies or misdemeanors. The penalties for misdemeanor crimes include a fine of up to $4,000, jail time of up to 1 year, or both. The actual penalties depend on the nature of the crime. Felony offenses come with stiffer penalties including life imprisonment, execution, and hefty fines in the more serious cases.

You may understandably be distraught after having a family member arrested on criminal charges. However, you must make the right decisions in the wake of such a jarring experience. The best thing you can do is to consult a professional criminal defense lawyer and start creating a robust defense against the charges.

Understand Your Legal Options

You must first understand the nature of the criminal charges brought against your family member. Is it a felony or a misdemeanor? What are the expected penalties for the crime?

A lawyer can quickly answer these questions. An experienced lawyer knows how these cases work and how the criminal justice system operates. They can also advise you on what the probable outcome of the case will be.

The next thing is to discern your legal options. Can your family member seek a plea bargain? Is it possible to have the charges dismissed by opting for community service or voluntary enrollment in a court-stipulated program? You may have legal options that can enable you to seek reduced penalties or have the charges dropped.

Prepare a Robust Legal Defense

You will need to prepare a robust legal defense against the criminal charges. A good lawyer can build a solid defense using various tactics. It may be possible to question the legality of the arrest. The lawyer may be able to question the soundness of the circumstantial evidence. For example, one or more of the witnesses may not be credible enough for the case.

These are all the angles that a good lawyer can explore to defend your family member against the charges. If you have a robust line of defense, you are more likely to get favorable terms in a plea bargain. A more effective defense can even have the case dismissed.

Find Out How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Dallas, Texas, we want to help you. Here at Chris Lewis & Associates P.C., we have a long history of helping the accused fight their criminal charges. Our attorneys work with both federal and state-level criminal cases, among others.

Our ultimate aim is to take your side against the prosecution. Charges may relate to DWI, family violence, possession, assault, fraud, or other alleged crimes.

Call us today at 214-665-6930 to discuss your case with our lawyers. You can also fill out the form below to get in touch.