Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, finding a good criminal defense attorney in El Paso is the key to being able to avoid jail time and possibly worse. Texas is known as the state with the highest number of capital murder convictions that include the death penalty. While your legal difficulties may not be quite as dire, having a criminal defense attorney on your side who has the legal knowledge and experience to help you out will definitely help you in the long run.
Misdemeanor Criminal Charges
Misdemeanor criminal charges usually carry a penalty of a fine and possible jail time, depending on the crime and the severity of the crime. Examples include minor assault, petty theft, harassment, DWI/DUI and some forms of sexual conduct, like bigamy , indecent exposure and public lewdness. In general, misdemeanor charges involve acts which do not consist of serious or grievous bodily harm to a person. While a person may be harmed in misdemeanor activities, the degree of harm is not considered life threatening. Some crimes may be initially treated as misdemeanor, but repeat offenses ratchet them up to felony crimes. Examples include drug related charges or theft.
- If you have been charged with a Crime, Submit your Case for a Free Review from a Criminal Defense Lawyer in El Paso. This website is for informational purposes only, and nothing stated here should be taken as legal advice.
Felony Criminal Charges
Felony criminal charges are usually much more serious than misdemeanor charges and carry a penalty of jail time and may possibly include the death penalty. Examples of felony charges include manslaughter, murder, capital murder, rape, kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated robbery. Felony criminal charges also apply to what are considered white collar crimes, like bribery, computer crimes, fraud and embezzlement. Penalties for felonies may include mandatory amounts of jail time, which a judge must follow when sentencing. For capital crimes such as capital death or special circumstances, the prosecutor may elect to seek the death penalty as one of the options for a guilty verdict.
Board Certification in Criminal Law
If you have been arrested, look for a criminal defense attorney who is Texas State Board Certification in Criminal Law. This certification is offered by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Qualifying for Board Certification requires practicing a set number of years in criminal law and passing an extensive written board exam. Attorneys who are Board Certified in criminal law have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in Texas criminal law through their years of experience practicing this type of law and through passing the examination.
