Houston Criminal Legal Aid & Pro Bono Services

If you or someone close to you has been arrested or charged with a crime, it is imperative to consult a Houston criminal defense attorney who can assess the merits of your case. Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor, such as shoplifting or simple assault and battery, or a felony such as burglary, family violence, sex crimes, or drug offenses, or any other crime under Texas law, a criminal defense lawyer can help protect your rights.

Every accused individual in the United States, including Texas has certain constitutional rights. Some of these rights include the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty; the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures; the right to remain silent; the right to a fair trial; and the right to be represented by a lawyer.

Every person is presumed to be innocent and cannot be convicted of a crime unless the government proves every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest standard in the legal system since a person’s freedom is at stake. Reasonable doubt must be rooted in logic and reason based on all the evidence or lack thereof presented at trial.

The right to be free from unreasonable searches means the police cannot search for evidence on your person, papers, home, and effects without a warrant based on probable cause, with certain limited exceptions. This also means that the police cannot enter your house without a valid search warrant. Under this general rule, evidence obtained without a proper search warrant may not be admissible at trial. An experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer can assess the government’s case against you and identify areas of weakness to mount a strong defense if your case goes to trial. Alternatively, if the government offers you a plea bargain, an attorney can advise you whether you should take it and the factors that affect your decision.