Conroe Criminal Defense Lawyer

Conroe Criminal Defense Attorney

When you are charged with any crime, it is natural to worry about the penalties you could face if you are convicted. If you did not do anything wrong, it could feel incredibly unjust to undergo the arrest and booking processes when you know you did not break the law. On the other hand, if you did make a mistake and break the law, it’s easy to feel hopeless, as if the entire criminal justice system is poised against you. Whatever your case may involve, it is crucial to know and understand your constitutional rights during arrest, and the first steps you take once the police notify you that you are under arrest are crucial to the final result of your case.

Experienced Criminal Defense Representation in Conroe, TX

The Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, is a private criminal defense firm representing clients in the Conroe area and surrounding communities of Texas. Our firm is committed to helping every client we represent approach their case with confidence and reach the best possible outcome. While no criminal defense attorney can ever promise a client a specific result in their case, we can ensure that your case will receive our firm’s full attention, and you will have a responsive legal advocate ready to answer your questions throughout every stage of your proceedings.

Your Constitutional Rights in an Arrest

It can be incredibly distressing to hear an officer state that you are under arrest, especially if you have never been charged with a crime in the past. Unfortunately, many people in this situation make serious mistakes that cost them dearly as their cases unfold. Some may try to explain their way out of this situation and unintentionally make statements that amount to admissions of guilt. Others are resistant to arrest, often incurring additional charges and making their situations much worse.

You have two very important constitutional rights that come into play once the police notify you that they are placing you under arrest. First is the right to remain silent, protected by the Fifth Amendment. You are under no legal obligation to act as a witness against yourself, meaning you are not required to answer any questions from the police or provide them with any statements, verbal or written. Some people mistakenly assume that remaining silent after an arrest is a tacit admission of guilt, but regardless of whether you committed a criminal offense or not, it is essential to exercise your right to remain silent.

The second constitutional right that comes into play in this situation is your Sixth Amendment right to legal representation. Any American charged with a crime has the right to an attorney, even if they cannot afford one or do not wish to pay for a private defense attorney. The court can appoint a public defender to represent the defendant at no cost, but if you are able to hire a private Conroe criminal defense attorney, they can offer more personalized and effective legal representation in your situation.

Types of Criminal Cases Handled By Our Firm

If you are facing any type of criminal case, it’s essential to find an attorney who has experience handling cases similar to your situation. At the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, our team has extensive professional experience representing clients in a wide range of criminal cases, including:

• Driving while intoxicated (DWI). This is among the most common criminal offenses in Texas. Penalties for a conviction can vary based on several factors, but generally, defendants face fines, jail time, and loss of their driving privileges. Penalties will increase for defendants who have multiple convictions on their records; penalties can also increase if the defendant hurt or killed anyone due to impaired driving.
• Violent crimes, such as assault and battery. Physically assaulting another person often qualifies for felony prosecution in Texas, but some of these cases involve self-defense or shared liability between the parties involved.
• Drug offenses. Texas enforces harsh penalties for drug-related crimes. It’s possible to face a charge of simple possession, but if you are caught with items indicating you planned on selling drugs, your charge can escalate to possession with intent to sell. Our firm can represent clients charged with all forms of illicit drug possession as well as trafficking and drug manufacturing.
• Theft and property crimes. When defendants are convicted of any property crimes, they will face restitution to the victim for the value stolen; the other penalties they face depend on the amount stolen and the manner in which they stole it. For example, shoplifting and petty theft under $500 carry lighter penalties than grand theft or theft of a firearm.
• Sex offenses. Any sex crime conviction can lead not only to incarceration and other penalties but also sex offender registration. This means the defendant will be unable to live in certain places, work certain jobs, and will face diminished standing in their community. Sexual assault and prostitution are two common examples of sex offenses that can lead to severe penalties in Conroe.

It’s possible for a defendant to face multiple charges depending on the details of their case and their behavior during arrest and booking. Therefore, when you are arrested for any reason in Conroe, it is always best to exercise your constitutional rights, remaining silent until you are able to contact an attorney you can trust.

What to Expect in Criminal Case

The US justice system revolves around the concept of the presumption of innocence. This means a defendant charged with a crime is presumed to be innocent until the prosecutor bringing the charges can prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutors pursue conviction by leveraging physical evidence, witness testimony, and even expert witness insights in some cases. Your Conroe criminal defense attorney should focus on dismantling the prosecution’s case at the foundational level. If a prosecutor believes a defendant’s conviction is all but certain and they have more than enough evidence to secure a guilty verdict, they may offer a plea bargain to the defendant, exchanging their immediate guilty plea for a lighter sentence or even reduced charges in some cases.

If you choose the Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, to represent you as your Conroe criminal defense attorneys, we will seek acquittal or case dismissal if possible, but we are prepared to negotiate a plea agreement on your behalf if necessary. As a result, we are often able to secure much better results than our clients initially expect, and we have experience handling a wide range of criminal cases.

FAQs About Conroe, TX Criminal Defense Laws

What Does a Conroe Criminal Defense Attorney Do?

In any criminal case, the prosecutor’s goal is to prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and the defense attorney’s goal is to prevent them from meeting this burden of proof. If you did not commit the offense in question or the prosecution lacks the evidence needed for conviction, the defense attorney’s goal should be to have their client’s case dismissed. When the defendant is guilty, their attorney will likely shift their focus to minimizing their client’s penalty for conviction.

How Much Do Conroe Criminal Defense Lawyers Cost?

The majority of criminal defense attorneys representing clients in Texas charge hourly rates for their representation. While it may seem more prudent to hire a public defender to save money on legal expenses, a private criminal defense attorney can offer more individualized legal representation, more responsive communication, and better results. If you have the means to do so, hiring an experienced Conroe criminal defense attorney can make a tremendous difference in the final outcome of your impending case.

How Can I Avoid Jail Time in Conroe?

It’s natural to worry about incarceration and the other potential penalties you could face if you are convicted. When you have committed the crime in question but have a reliable defense attorney representing you, their goal will be to minimize your penalties. While not possible in every criminal case, some defendants are able to secure plea deals that minimize their penalties. Judges are sometimes willing to consider extended probation and other alternative punishments in lieu of jail time for first-time offenders charged with nonviolent crimes, but this is never guaranteed.

When Should I Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

It’s best to secure legal representation as soon as possible after an arrest. The more time a defense attorney has to work on their client’s case, the better the results will be for the client. Once you are placed under arrest, exercise your right to remain silent until you are allowed to make your phone calls, and contact a Conroe criminal defense attorney you can trust with your case.

The Law Office of Joseph Ruiz, PLLC, has the skill and experience necessary to help our client through the most challenging criminal court proceedings. Our firm has secured favorable results for many past clients charged with a wide range of criminal offenses, and we are ready to leverage this experience on your behalf. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation with a Conroe criminal defense attorney you can trust.