Criminal Defense Lawyers in New Braunfels

Types of Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in New Braunfels

Texas criminal law spans a vast variety of different offenses and violations. Crimes can be categorized as infractions, misdemeanors, felonies, and federal crimes, which adds to the potential complications of the average case. 

Thankfully, you don’t need to get caught up in the many details of your criminal defense case if you bring it to our New Braunfels criminal defense lawyers. Our attorneys work together and combine their experiences and talents, allowing our firm to handle virtually any case a client brings to our attention.

Allow us to defend and represent you in cases involving:

• DWI: We can represent you in criminal proceedings and provide guidance for administrative hearings before the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• Drug Crimes: From illegal possession to drug trafficking, we have the experience and resources needed to handle the toughest drug crime cases.
• Theft Crimes: Have you been accused of stealing someone else’s property? We can handle all sorts of theft crime cases, ranging from petty larceny to different forms of robbery.
• Sex Crimes: The state takes sex crime cases seriously, and defendants often struggle to be seen as innocent until proven guilty due to societal biases.
• Violent Crimes: Assault, battery, domestic violence, and other violent crime charges could land you in prison for years if convicted.
• Juvenile Crimes: We are proud to offer our experienced criminal defense representation to juveniles who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

What to Do After an Arrest For a Criminal Offense in New Braunfels

If you’re arrested, try to remember to follow these steps as advised by your criminal defense attorney in New Braunfels:

• Comply with the Police: Never resist arrest, especially not with force. Comply with the police officer and calmly follow instructions. If you think your arrest isn’t justified, you can clearly ask, “Am I being detained or arrested? If so, why?”
• Stay Quiet: You should tell the arresting officer basic information about yourself that they otherwise could look up on their own, like your name and place of residence. Any other information is on a need-to-know basis. You shouldn’t feel compelled to tell the officer much more if they intend to arrest you because everything you say and do can and will be used against you in a court of law.
• Consult with a New Braunfels Criminal Defense Lawyer: Your Miranda Rights, which should be read to you at the time of your arrest, include the right to contact a criminal defense attorney. Once you are taken back to the police station for processing, ask to use your phone call to dial (254) 237-5602, so you can talk to our defense lawyers. If a law enforcement agent tries to question you about anything after you’ve been officially placed under arrest, instruct them that you will need to talk to your attorney first, and that they should direct future questions to your attorney.

Following these steps can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Remember, the way you handle yourself during an arrest can affect subsequent legal proceedings. Our criminal defense attorneys in New Braunfels are skilled in managing such situations and will work diligently to ensure your rights are protected and your voice is heard. We advise you to remain calm and ensure that all interactions with law enforcement are respectful yet assertive in protecting your legal rights.

What Happens If You’re Convicted of a Crime

A criminal conviction will change your life significantly and never for the better. The severity of how your life changes will depend on the degree of the criminal charges filed against you, too. Generally, felonies and federal crimes carry much heavier penalties than misdemeanors, but misdemeanors can still completely disrupt your life and livelihood upon conviction.

If you are convicted of a crime, you could face these official and unofficial penalties:

• Months in jail or years in state prison.
• Thousands of dollars in fines, fees, and possibly victim compensation costs.
• Removal of your right to vote, own a firearm, and other important rights.
• Job loss if the crime in question impacts your work or licenses.
• Societal struggles if your friends and neighbors learn about the conviction.

Beyond the immediate legal consequences, a conviction can generate long-term personal, financial, and social challenges. It may influence future employment prospects, educational opportunities, and personal relationships. Our criminal defense team is committed to minimizing these impacts through dedicated advocacy, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of the legal system. We strive to provide solutions that address both the immediate and future needs of our clients in New Braunfels.

Common Defense Strategies Employed in Comal County Courts

At Milam & Fanning, PLLC, we firmly believe that every criminal charge can be met with a viable defense strategy. The key is figuring out what to do to correctly prepare that strategy and challenge the prosecution with confidence, which is where our vast experience and resources become so important. We can analyze your case and look for convincing evidence, so we can prepare the right strategy for you, your trusted defense lawyer in New Braunfels.

Common defense strategies and arguments (which may or may not apply to your case) include:

• Evidence used against you was not legally collected, such as through an unlawful search and seizure.
• Prosecution does not have enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Prosecution is pursuing a conviction for criminal charges that do not fit the alleged crime.
• Insanity or temporary duress (heat of passion) caused you to commit a crime.
• You were wrongly identified as the real perpetrator of the crime.
• You were falsely accused by someone with an ulterior motive.
• You unknowingly broke the law, so a conviction would not be justified.

Each case presents unique challenges and opportunities for defense. By examining factors such as the collection and handling of evidence, we endeavor to challenge flaws in the prosecutor's case. This comprehensive approach aims to identify weaknesses in the opposing case, thereby reinforcing your defense with a skilled criminal law attorney in New Braunfels.

Don’t Fight Alone – Get Our Help Today

Our dedicated team of criminal defense attorneys in New Braunfels offers personalized defense strategies to every client. If you’re worried about your future after you’ve been charged with a serious crime, work to protect your future and freedom by seeing what our attentive and tenacious defense team can do for you. We firmly believe that a mistake shouldn't define or destroy your entire livelihood, and we’re willing to fight in court to prove that it shouldn't!