Studying and practicing criminal law is not for the faint of heart. In and of itself, the world of law is a broad and very consuming profession, but handling the judgment of another human being within the American judicial system is a major responsibility. This is why it is important to enlist the aid of professional Houston criminal lawyers. They can help make sure that you continue to look at your case objectively and thoroughly to find the best possible argument. This is in your best interest, to minimize the negative effects of a court case, regardless of the decision.
Hiring Houston criminal lawyers is a smart move because they understand all of the many intricacies of the legal system. Whether you are the plaintiff or the defendant, their job is to take the facts that you give them and compare it with others that may have come before to try to and determine an expected outcome. They will observe how the other lawyer has acted in the court room before as well as how the judge generally treats cases like yours. Of course, they will also look at the extenuating circumstances of your life and the incident to see if they can extract any flexibility for the argument.
Experienced Houston criminal lawyers deal with many different kinds of cases. The most common charges include:
- Assault
- Disturbing the Peace
- Property Damage
- Trespassing
- Offensive Conduct
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Driving Under the Influence
- Possession of Narcotics
Some of these charges are considered “misdemeanors” because they carry relatively light penalties of a few fines and up to one year in jail. Misdemeanors are generally classified as crimes that are not necessarily dangerous, like trespassing or property damage. Convictions for these crimes could carry jail time, but incarceration is often waived in favor of probation and other options like community service as well as a fine of up to $1000.
The more serious crimes that Houston criminal lawyers deal with are called “felonies.” Felonies are, generally, considered to be crimes that either have brought danger or could be dangerous had they not been stopped in the process. Assault, for example, often carries a felony charge because it is something that causes physical harm to another person. Felonies are very serious and can carry longer jail sentences of up to several years as well as several thousands of dollars in fines.
Property damage is a common charge faced by Houston criminal lawyers that encompasses a wide range of suspicions. It is basically described as the malicious, purposeful damage and destruction of private property. This could include clothing, personal accessories, vehicles, furniture, and living quarters. Small damage, like breaking a window or denting a vehicle might carry a meek sentence like a few days in jail and a few hundred dollars in fines. However more serious charges, like those that come with the use of a weapon or other tool or instrument, can carry a sentence of 10 years or more in prison, restitution payment, and court fees.