Houston Criminal Lawyer

Criminal Defense Cases That we Handle

When you have been charged with a crime, you need to be sure that your defense attorney has the experience, dedication and ability to give you the best possible chance at receiving a positive outcome in your case. Our legal team at the Martinez Law Firm is fully prepared to handle every aspect of your Texas criminal case. You can count on their legal team to work tirelessly in your defense in order to uphold your constitutional rights. The attorneys at our firm can provide you with experienced defense, counsel and representation in many areas of criminal law, including the following:

Aggravated Assault
In the state of Texas, it is considered to be a criminal offense to "intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause bodily injury to another." Should the person have on them a weapon which is classified as deadly during the commission of this crime, regardless of whether it is utilized or simply displayed, it can be enhanced to criminal charges of aggravated assault with more severe penalties.

Arson
Setting building, structures and property on fire is classified as a criminal offense of arson in the state of Texas. This can be done when insured against destruction, when owned by another, when subject to mortgage and / or security interest or when the act is done without care for the safety of other people in the area. This is generally considered to be a first degree felony and can be punished by life in prison.

Assault
Intentionally causing bodily injury to another human being is considered to be an act of assault. This is a serious criminal charge which is often charged in conjunction with over criminal charges – such as domestic violence. Penalties for assault are serious and, depending on the circumstances, a conviction could leave a defendant spending up to 20 years in a state prison.

Clearing Your Record
If you have already been convicted of a criminal charge, you are generally aware of the issues that can arise – not only with the immediate penalties and consequences, but also with the aftermath of having to deal with the blemish on your criminal record. While not everyone is eligible, our firm can help seek post-conviction relief for those who are interested in having their criminal record cleared or sealed.

Drug Crimes
Criminal offenses related to drugs, such as possession, trafficking and manufacturing, are severe and treated harshly by law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the state of Texas. Due to the social stigma often attached to these types of crimes, it is extremely important that should you be criminally charged that you get professional defense to protect you against the possibility of conviction.

DWI
It is against Texas law to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated. This could be either when abilities are noticeably impaired or when you are found to have blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.08 percent. Regardless of whether this is a first time offense, if you are under the legal drinking age of 21 or if you have several charges already on your record, our firm is prepared to step up and fight for you.

Domestic Violence
Violence in intimate relationships are taken extremely seriously by the state of Texas. Domestic violence can be charged for any perceived violence between anyone who is in an intimate relationship – this could be current and ex-spouses, roommates, parents, children and people in a romantic relationship, such as boyfriend and girlfriend. Once an accusation has been made, the accuser is not allowed to drop the charges; it will become the choice of the prosecutor for whether or not they will pursue the case.

Federal Crimes
Most cases are tried on the state level, however, this is not always the case. In some situations, when a case is deemed to directly violate federal law, occur on federally owned land or cross over state borders, it will fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government. These cases often have much higher stakes than their state counterparts, which more experience prosecutors and harsher penalties.

Felony Charges
In crimes that the law views as especially heinous, they will be tried as felonies instead of misdemeanors. These are the most severe of crimes and generally have life-long consequences. Examples include Internet crimes, murder and white collar crimes that affect victims in several different states. If you are facing a felony, it is extremely important that you get a heavyweight in your corner to fight for you.

Internet Crimes
Crimes which are committed on the Internet are technical crimes and require legal representation which will be able to untangle the complexities surrounding the case. No matter whether you have been charged with hacking into a computer system, being in possession of child pornography or whether you have been placed under investigation for any form of fraud, our fraud can help represent your best interests.

Juvenile Crimes
It can be heartbreaking to have a child facing criminal charges. Regardless of whether they have been arrested for alleged shoplifting or a more serious crime, they need aggressive defense to protect their rights. In many juvenile cases, the court will be lenient – favoring rehabilitation over punishment. Our firm can step up and fight for your child – either seeking an acquittal or these more favorable terms.

Kidnapping
Any action which involves the taking of a person against their will can be classified as kidnapping. There are several different levels of this type of charge. In some cases, it can be charges of unlawful restraint. In other, it can be enhanced to aggravated kidnapping should it be proven took the alleged victim with the intention to hold them as a hostage, cause serious bodily injury or commit other criminal acts.

Misdemeanor Charges
While much less serious than a felony, charges of misdemeanors are still something that should be taken seriously. Common misdemeanors include traffic violations, petty theft and first time DWI charges. In most cases, these are punishable with minor fines, time spent in county jail, community service, driver's license suspension and the like. While not as severe as felonies, these still deserve aggressive defense.

Murder / Manslaughter
One of the most severe forms of criminal charges are those relating to homicide. Broken up into murder and manslaughter, charges of homicide involve the killing of another human being. While always a serious crime, different circumstances will affect the level of crime. For example, crimes where it is believed to be intentional, it will be considered murder, whereas manslaughter may stem from negligence and not intent.

Probation Violation
One common term given to people following a criminal conviction is probation. These are terms which the convicted will need to abide by during their probation period. Certain terms which will need to be met include staying away from certain people, abstaining from alcohol and / or drugs, meeting curfew and having regular meetings with an officer. Any alleged violation may result revoked probation & incarceration.

Sex Crimes
Criminal offenses which incorporate the element of sex are considered especially heinous by the law and therefore have some of the severest of potential penalties. One of the potential penalties associated with sexual offenses involves the mandatory registration as a sex offender. This is not only inconvenient, it can cause significant difficulties in both your personal and your professional life moving forward.

Theft Crimes
Any crime that involves the taking of property away from its original owner is considered theft. This may involve the taking of a piece of property that is intangible in nature (ex: identity theft) or may involve breaking and entering (such as in cases of robbery). Regardless, the law is harsh on these types of crimes and those convicted will find themselves facing life-altering penalties.

White Collar Crimes
Crimes classified as "white collar" will often focus on monetary gain and will rarely incorporate the element of violence. In many cases, they are done in a business or financial setting and often over an extended period of time; for example, slowly skimming money off of a company's profits. They often fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government and may be investigated for months or years before charges are pressed.

Charged with a crime in Houston?

Most people feel nervous, anxious, upset and even humiliated after they have been charged with a crime. It is very important that you take the necessary steps to protect your rights by speaking immediately with a defense lawyer who can offer you the help that you need. Your attorney at the Martinez Law Firm will be able to maximize your chances of success.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, you need to do everything you can to help ensure that you will not face harsh consequences such as jail time, extensive fines, probation, loss of license, vehicle impoundment, community service and more. Overzealous prosecutors and police officers can wreak havoc in your life. It is vital that you speak with an attorney as soon as you are aware of criminal charges against you or someone you know.

The lawyers at the firm are dedicated to building close, personal relationships with each and every one of their clients. You will not receive a bland, cookie-cutter defense. You won't ever feel like your important case has been put on the back burner. Our legal team is devoted to providing you with the top-notch legal services you deserve with the skill you would expect from a premier legal firm. Call today to learn how we can help!