Sugar Land Criminal Defense Lawyer

Sugar Land Criminal Defense Attorney

When you discover you are being charged with a criminal offense, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, confused, and even a bit scared. You may not immediately know what your next move is, especially if you have never faced criminal charges before. The most important thing you can do is make the effort to protect yourself. A Sugar Land criminal defense lawyer can help you build a strong defense.

The legal team at Greco Neyland understands how difficult it can be to establish a strong defense strategy in the face of criminal charges. The help of a criminal defense attorney during this trying time cannot be overstated. You will want an accomplished professional with experience handling criminal defense cases like yours, as well as someone with a vast knowledge of Sugar Land criminal defense laws. Our firm can help you determine your next steps and build you a case.

Why Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

There are many important reasons why you should hire a criminal defense lawyer. Above all, you want to make sure you fight for your constitutional rights and ensure you aren’t taken advantage of. At Greco Neyland, we can help you build a strong case and defend yourself. Our founders, Jeff Greco and Dustan Neyland, have vast experience working with prosecutors. They recognize how the system works on both sides.

According to the United States Sentencing Commission, it’s not rare to face criminal charges in Texas. In 2023 alone, there were well over 16,000 criminal cases reported to the Commission throughout the state. Many of these charges involved drugs or immigration situations. The crime rate in Fort Bend County decreased from 1,155.7 to 1,004.3 from 2022 to 2023, according to a recent report by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

When you are facing criminal charges, regardless of the details, it can have a substantial effect on your mental health. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you really need it. You may want to consider reaching out to a local mental health support group like One Behavioral Health or Walk and Talk Therapy. It can be good to have someone to talk to about your fears, concerns, and hopes for your case, especially if they have been through something similar.

Significant Qualities in a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Your criminal defense lawyer’s number one priority is to secure a victory and make sure you don’t get convicted. In order to accomplish this, you will want to hire a lawyer who has many important and useful qualities that they can bring to your case. You may want to prioritize certain qualities over others, depending on your situation. Here are some of the most important qualities you may want to look for in your defense lawyer:

• Experience: Arguably, the most important quality a good lawyer can have is experience, and that applies to every field of law, not just criminal defense. Every criminal case is different, but many cases follow a similar trajectory that experienced lawyers can identify and use. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can adapt past winning strategies to your case and help you anticipate setbacks with a plan. You can never have too much experience.
• Communication: Communication skills are important in every field of work, particularly when it comes to law. Lawyers are required to be excellent communicators. They communicate with judges, juries, clients, colleagues, police officers, and detectives on a daily basis. You will want a lawyer who is reliable, consistent, and able to communicate legal jargon to you without confusion.
• Listening skills: It’s important to remember that communication is always a two-way street. Your defense lawyer in Sugar Land has to be able to listen to you, as they will be receiving the majority of your case’s details from you directly. If they have trouble listening or focusing, that can hurt your case in the long run. Find someone who is a good and focused listener.

FAQs About Sugar Land, TX Criminal Defense Laws

How Long Is It Before a Crime Cannot Be Prosecuted in Texas?

That depends entirely on the crime at hand. In Texas, certain crimes cannot be prosecuted once the statute of limitations has expired. Every crime in Texas has a different statute of limitations, so it’s important that you and your lawyer research your specific charges so you can learn how this applies to your case. More serious crimes like murder and certain sexual assault charges do not have a statute of limitations in Texas.

Can You Claim Self-Defense in a Bar Fight in Texas?

Yes, you can claim self-defense in a bar fight in Texas. However, you must be able to reasonably prove your position. If you truly believed force was necessary to protect yourself in a bar fight, self-defense may be a viable strategy. Still, it can be easy to disprove that claim, especially if there is evidence that you initiated the fight or consented to it before engaging in the fight. Your lawyer can help you build your strategy around this defense.

What Is the Three Felony Rule in Texas?

The three felony rule in Texas can ultimately result in a life sentence in certain cases. Essentially, the state has a three-strikes law for felonies, as long as the two prior felonies were not state jail felonies. If you are convicted of a third felony after two prior convictions, you may face a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years to life.

How Long Can Police Detain You Without Probable Cause in Sugar Land?

In Sugar Land, there is no specific time limit for how long police officers can detain you without probable cause. It depends entirely on the situation at hand and whether the detention is considered legally reasonable. The detention is supposed to be brief, but that doesn’t always happen. That’s why it’s so important to contact a lawyer, as they can help you avoid prolonged detention and possibly even seek damages for it.

Protect Your Rights: Contact a Lawyer Today

At Greco Neyland, we can help you defend yourself and put together a strong legal defense. Contact us to speak to a member of our team about how we can help.