Brazos County Criminal Defense Attorneys

Providing Exceptional Legal Representation to Help You Fight Criminal Charges

If you or a family member have been arrested and charged with a crime, you must determine your first steps to protect your rights and freedom. Individuals facing criminal charges need the help of a well-qualified attorney who can help them navigate the complexities of the Texas criminal justice system.

If you fail to seek legal representation, you could be sentenced to jail time, steep fines, and a criminal record. A criminal conviction can hinder your ability to find gainful employment, enroll in the college of your choice, receive financial aid, or legally possess or own firearms.

One of the best decisions you can make to protect yourself or your loved one is to hire a Brazos County criminal defense lawyer who can professionally evaluate your case and determine what legal options suit your needs.

Shane Phelps Law is a criminal defense law firm dedicated to helping adults and college students who suddenly face criminal charges. Our criminal defense lawyers have a proven track record of helping clients when they need it most. Contact our law office immediately to schedule a free, confidential case review so that we may evaluate your legal needs.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer if I Have Been Accused of a Crime?

Some of the most significant benefits of hiring a skilled criminal defense lawyer include:

Legal knowledge: An attorney uses their knowledge of the legal system to build custom-tailored defense strategies that will meet your specific needs.
Strategic case analysis: One of the most critical roles of a defense attorney is to analyze the evidence to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the state’s case. Often, defense lawyers can identify legal issues with the state’s legal arguments that will result in the charges being reduced or possibly thrown out.
Protect your legal rights: A defense attorney will work diligently to ensure you are treated fairly through every stage of the criminal process.
Negotiate with the prosecutors: A defense attorney has the experience to analyze the case and work with the prosecution to try and reach a plea agreement.

Although every criminal case differs, attorneys may use several common defense strategies to help their clients avoid convictions and permanent records.

Our criminal lawyers have a proven record of helping build well-crafted defense strategies to ensure clients receive the best possible outcome for their cases.

What is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?

One of the most significant differences between a misdemeanor and a felony is the seriousness of the charges and the amount of potential jail time attached to the offense.

If you are facing criminal charges, you should be familiar with the various penalties that could result from a conviction. Often, defendants are unsure of what penalties they may face and are surprised to learn the severity of the sentences that could be imposed.

In most instances, a misdemeanor may be charged for an offense that does not involve another person suffering a severe injury. A felony charge is reserved for serious criminal offenses, which can result in a defendant being sentenced to jail or state prison.

Being found guilty of a felony offense can have a life-changing impact on your future and ability to achieve your personal goals, such as legally owning or possessing a firearm or serving in the military.

Regardless of your situation, you must hire an experienced attorney to protect your rights and act as your legal advocate. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation with a Bryan criminal defense attorney who will gladly answer your legal questions.

What are Some of the Penalties for Texas Criminal Offenses?

Misdemeanor offenses are punishable by lower fines and less jail time than felonies.

Class C misdemeanor: A minor offense conviction that carries no jail time and is punishable by a maximum fine of $500 and may include theft of less than $50 or possession of drug paraphernalia
Class B misdemeanor: Punishable by 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Examples include first-time DWI or property theft between $100 and $750
Class A misdemeanor: Punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine ranging up to $4,000/ Examples include a second DWI conviction or theft of property valued at $750 to $2,500

Felony convictions can result in defendants being sentenced to jail or prison and may include:

State jail felony: The least serious charge in this category and can result in a sentence of 6 months and two years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000. Examples include DWI child endangerment, theft, identity theft, or unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Third-degree felony: Punishable by two to 10 years in prison with a fine of up to $10,000. Examples include assault on a public servant, stalking, or third DWI.
Second-degree felony: Punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Examples include aggravated and sexual assault, manslaughter, or robbery.
First-degree felony: Punishable by 5 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Examples include aggravated sexual assault against a child, solicitation of capital murder, or having over 2,000 pounds of marijuana.
Capital felony: The most serious felony charge that is reserved for individuals charged with capital murder offenses and is punishable by life imprisonment or death.

What are the Most Effective Defense Strategies?

If you are dealing with criminal charges, you need an attorney who can create an effective defense strategy that will protect your rights and freedom. In their quest to promote public safety, police and prosecutors are often overzealous and do not always get it right when making arrests.

Some of the most common defense strategies include:

Lack of probable cause: The state must demonstrate that law enforcement authorities had a valid reason to initiate an investigation, such as in DWI and traffic stop cases. If your attorney can prove the police lacked probable cause, any evidence they collected may be suppressed.
Lack of evidence: If the state’s case lacks sufficient evidence to merit a criminal charge, a skilled defense attorney may be able to request that the charges be dismissed.
Self-defense: Texas law, known as the “castle doctrine,” states that individuals can use deadly force if they believe they are at risk of harm if they do not provoke or initiate the confrontation. The self-defense rule also applies to the defense of others if an individual has cause to believe that others may be in imminent danger.
False allegation: Many defendants are often the victims of false allegations. Individuals falsely accuse others for various reasons, including revenge, trying to damage someone’s reputation, or abuse of power by law enforcement. A skilled attorney can investigate the prosecution’s evidence to identify weaknesses or inconsistencies in witness statements.
Alibi: If it can be proven the defendant has a solid alibi and could not have committed the crime, the prosecution may be forced to drop the charges. However, credible witnesses, receipts, surveillance, and other evidence must be presented that supports this claim.

What Makes Shane Phelps Law the Right Choice to Help Me Fight My Criminal Charges?

Shane Phelps Law is a criminal defense law firm with over 40 years of combined experience. Our Bryan criminal defense lawyers’ primary objective is to help clients avoid a criminal record and will fight tirelessly to protect their rights.

Our legal team includes a former district attorney from the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office, who provided valuable insight into how the prosecution determines how to try criminal cases. Anyone facing criminal charges should remember that the Texas criminal justice system can be overly complex and was not designed to be handled without proper legal representation.

Our defense attorneys understand our client’s unique challenges and will work tirelessly to create an effective defense strategy to protect their rights and freedoms. Our dedicated team of legal professionals is well-versed in criminal defense and knows what it takes to get favorable results.

Our law firm recognizes that individuals make mistakes in their lives that force them to hire a criminal defense lawyer. When you come to us for help, we never make judgments. Instead, our staff and defense attorneys always strive to treat you with the respect and dignity you deserve. We also take time to explain what you can expect as your case works itself through the legal system.

If you or a family member have been arrested and charged with a crime, contact Shane Phelps Law of Brazos County at 979-596-6843 and ask to schedule a free, confidential case review so that we may determine your legal options.