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Lawyers in Abilene, Texas

If you or a loved one has been arrested, charged, indicted, or otherwise accused of a crime in Abilene, Texas or anywhere in Taylor County, then you should seek the advice of a qualified Criminal Defense Attorney. Being charged with a crime can affect your life in many ways and should not be taken lightly. Do not wait to consult an Abilene, Texas Lawyer. By waiting to contact an Attorney, you could miss important deadlines, lose opportunities to resolve your case favorably, or make your situation more difficult in general. Many Criminal Defense Lawyers offer free consultations. During these consultations, an Attorney can give you some general information about your case and the criminal process in Abilene and Taylor County, Texas. The Lawyer will likely tell you what steps you need to take and how much it will cost to engage his or her legal representation. There is simply no good reason to delay contacting an Abilene, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer.

How to Select a Criminal Defense Attorney in Abilene, Texas

If you need a Criminal Defense Lawyer to represent you in Abilene or anywhere in Taylor County, Texas, then you should give careful consideration to your choice of Attorney. There are many factors to consider when choosing a Criminal Lawyer. An obvious factor to consider is the Attorney's experience. How long has the Lawyer been practicing law, and what percentage of his/her practice is devoted to Texas Criminal Defense Law? Also, how long has he/she been practicing Criminal Defense Law in Abilene and Taylor County, Texas? While the same criminal laws apply throughout Texas, the people, policies, and customs of the local courts will likely be different from county to county. You may therefore want to hire a Criminal Law Attorney who has extensive legal experience practicing in the courts in Abilene and Taylor County, Texas. Another factor related to experience is whether the Lawyer is "Board Certified" as an expert in criminal law. The State Bar of Texas Board of Legal Specialization offers expert certification in certain areas of the law. Those Attorneys who are "Board Certified" in criminal law are allowed to hold themselves out as criminal law experts. To be certified, an Attorney must apply and meet certain qualifications. While "Board Certification" is proof that an Attorney has significant experience and expertise in criminal law, a Lawyer's lack of "Board Certification" is not necessarily evidence of a lack of experience or expertise. Keep in mind that only a very small percentage of Attorneys who would qualify for "Board Certification" ever even apply. There are a great many highly experienced, talented, and accomplished Criminal Defense Lawyers who are not "Board Certified."

Cost is another important factor to consider when choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney in Abilene, Texas. As you speak to different Lawyers, you may find that the fees they charge will vary greatly, often by thousands of dollars. For this reason, too many people base their decision on price alone. This could be a very big mistake. Consider why prices vary. Most Criminal Defense Lawyers charge a flat fee for their services instead of hourly billing. Why? Well, since most of their clients are criminal defendants, it would be an unwise risk for a Criminal Defense Attorney to work without being paid in advance. Therefore, you will find that most Criminal Attorneys charge a flat fee. Also, once a Criminal Defense Lawyer officially gets involved in a case, he/she cannot get out of the case unless a Motion to Withdraw is filed by the Attorney and granted by the Court. Many judges will not let a Criminal Defense Lawyer off a case because of a client's nonpayment. That is why most Criminal Law Attorneys charge a flat fee which must be paid in-full before the representation begins. When setting a fee, a Lawyer will usually take into consideration a number of important factors such as the type of case, the facts and circumstances of the case, the court involved, and the prospective client's criminal record. These factors can give the Criminal Lawyer a good idea of the work required and the difficulty of that work. Different Attorneys consider different factors, and assign greater or lesser importance to those factors, when deciding upon the appropriate legal fee to charge.

Often, the most important factors to consider when selecting a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Abilene, Texas are the intangibles. Do you like the Attorney? Does he/she genuinely listen to you? Do you think the Lawyer will work hard for you? Does he/she seem knowledgeable, honest, and dedicated? Whomever you select as your Criminal Defense Lawyer, your future will be in their hands. It is very important that you feel comfortable with your Attorney, and that you believe he/she will represent you aggressively and give you their best and honest advice. It is very difficult and costly to change Lawyers in the middle of a criminal case. The time that is wasted may put you at a legal disadvantage, and you will lose whatever money you paid. Moreover, if you are not happy with the outcome of your case, you will not get a second chance just because you did not like your Lawyer or think that he/she did not do a "good job." No, the importance of selecting the right Criminal Defense Attorney for you, and getting it right the first time, cannot be overstated. Talk to several Abilene, Texas Lawyers. Consider your options carefully, and choose wisely.

Texas Criminal Laws

Common Criminal Offenses

• Driving While Intoxicated | DWI | DUI | Drunk Driving
• Public Intoxication
• Intoxication Assault
• Drug Charges
• Possession of Marijuana, Marihuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Possession of Controlled Substance
• Possession of Cocaine
• Possession of Methamphetamine | Meth
• Assault | Family Violence | Bodily Injury | Contact
• Aggravated Assault | Deadly Weapon | Serious Bodily Injury
• Burglary | Burglary of Building | Burglary of Habitation | Burglary of Vehicle
• Theft | Theft by Check | Theft of Service

Punishments

• Misdemeanors
• Felonies
• Habitual / Repeat Offenders

Preparatory Offenses

• Criminal Attempt
• Criminal Conspiracy
• Criminal Solicitation

Criminal Instruments

• Unlawful Use of Criminal Instrument
• Unlawful Interception, Use, or Disclosure of Wire, Oral, or Electronic Communications
• Unlawful Use of Pen Register or Trap and Trace Device
• Unlawful Access to Stored Communications
• Illegal Divulgence of Public Communications
• Unlawful Installation of Tracking Device

Criminal Homicide

• Murder
• Capital Murder
• Manslaughter
• Criminally Negligent Homicide

Kidnapping and Unlawful Restraint

• Unlawful Restraint
• Kidnapping
• Aggravated Kidnapping
• Unlawful Transport

Trafficking of Persons

• Trafficking of Persons

Sexual Offenses

• Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child or Children
• Public Lewdness
• Indecency with a Child
• Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student
• Improper Photography or Visual Recording

Assaultive Offenses

• Assault
• Sexual Assault
• Coercing, Soliciting, or Inducing Gang Membership
• Aggravated Assault
• Aggravated Sexual Assault
• Injury to a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual
• Abandoning or Endangering Child
• Deadly Conduct
• Terroristic Threat
• Tampering with Consumer Product
• Leaving a Child in a Vehicle
• Harassment by Persons in Certain Correctional Facilities; Harassment of Public Servant

Offenses Against the Family

• Bigamy
• Prohibited Sexual Conduct
• Interference with Child Custody
• Agreement to Abduct from Custody
• Enticing a Child
• Criminal Nonsupport
• Harboring a Runaway
• Violation of Protective Order
• Sale or Purchase of Child
• Advertising for Placement of Child
• Interference with Rights of Guardian of the Person

Arson, Criminal Mischief, and Other Property Damage or Destruction

• Arson
• Criminal Mischief
• Reckless Damage or Destruction
• Interference with Railroad Property
• Graffiti

Robbery

• Robbery
• Aggravated Robbery

Burglary and Criminal Trespass

• Burglary
• Burglary of Coin-Operated or Coin Collection Machines
• Burglary of Vehicle
• Criminal Trespass
• Trespass by Holder of License to Carry Concealed Handgun

Theft

• Theft
• Theft of Service
• Theft of Trade Secrets
• Theft by Check
• Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle
• Tampering with Identification Numbers
• Theft of or Tampering with Multichannel Video or Information Services
• Manufacture, Distribution, or Advertisement of Multichannel Video or Information Services Device
• Sale or Lease of Multichannel Video or Information Services Device
• Possession, Manufacture, or Distribution of Certain Instruments Used to Commit Retail Theft
• Organized Retail Theft

Fraud

• Forgery
• Criminal Simulation
• Trademark Counterfeiting
• Stealing or Receiving Stolen Check or Similar Sight Order
• Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse
• False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit
• Hindering Secured Creditors
• Fraudulent Transfer of a Motor Vehicle
• Credit Card Transaction Record Laundering
• Issuance of Bad Check
• Deceptive Business Practices
• Commercial Bribery
• Rigging Publicly Exhibited Contest
• Illegal Recruitment of an Athlete
• Misapplication of Fiduciary Property or Property of Financial Institution
• Securing Execution of Document by Deception
• Fraudulent Destruction, Removal, or Concealment of Writing
• Simulating Legal Process
• Refusal to Execute Release of Fraudulent Lien or Claim
• Deceptive Preparation and Marketing of Academic Product
• Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information
• Fraudulent, Substandard, or Fictitious Degree

Computer Crimes

• Breach of Computer Security
• Online Solicitation of a Minor
• Tampering with Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machine

Telecommunications Crimes

• Unauthorized Use of Telecommunications Service
• Manufacture, Possession, or Delivery of Unlawful Telecommunications Device
• Theft of Telecommunications Service
• Publication of Telecommunications Access Device

Money Laundering

• Money Laundering

Insurance Fraud

• Insurance Fraud

Medicaid Fraud

• Medicaid Fraud

Bribery and Corrupt Influence

• Bribery
• Coercion of Public Servant or Voter
• Improper Influence
• Tampering with Witness
• Obstruction or Retaliation
• Acceptance of Honorarium
• Gift to Public Servant by Person Subject to his Jurisdiction
• Offering Gift to Public Servant

Perjury and Other Falsification

• Perjury
• Aggravated Perjury
• False Report to Peace Officer or Law Enforcement Employee
• False Report Regarding Missing Child or Missing Person
• Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence
• Tampering with Governmental Record
• Fraudulent Filing of Financial Statement
• Impersonating Public Servant
• False Identification as Peace Officer; Misrepresentation of Property
• Record of a Fraudulent Court

Obstructing Governmental Operations

• Failure to Identify
• Resisting Arrest, Search, or Transportation
• Evading Arrest or Detention
• Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution
• Escape
• Permitting or Facilitating Escape
• Implements for Escape
• Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear
• Prohibited Substances and Items in Adult or Juvenile Correctional or Detention Facility or on Property of Texas Department of Criminal Justice or Texas Youth Commission

Abuse of Office

• Abuse of Official Capacity
• Official Oppression
• Violations of the Civil Rights of Person in Custody; Improper Sexual Activity of Person in Custody
• Failure to Report Death of Prisoner
• Misuse of Official Information

Disorderly Conduct

• Disorderly Conduct
• Riot
• Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway
• Disrupting Meeting or Procession
• Funeral Disruption
• False Alarm or Report
• Silent or Abusive Calls to 9-1-1 Service
• Interference with Emergency Telephone Call
• Harassment
• Stalking
• Abuse of Corpse
• Cruelty to Livestock Animals
• Attack on Assistance Animal
• Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals
• Dog Fighting
• Destruction of Flag
• Discharge of Firearm in Certain Municipalities
• Use of Laser Pointers
• Illumination of Aircraft by Intense Light

Public Indecency

• Prostitution
• Promotion of Prostitution
• Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution
• Compelling Prostitution
• Obscene Display or Distribution
• Obscenity
• Sale, Distribution, or Display of Harmful Material to Minor
• Sexual Performance by a Child
• Employment Harmful to Children
• Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography

Weapons

• Unlawful Carrying Weapons
• Places Weapons Prohibited
• Unlawful Carrying of Handgun by License Holder
• Unlawful Possession of Firearm
• Unlawful Possession of Metal or Body Armor by Felon
• Prohibited Weapons
• Unlawful Transfer of Certain Weapons
• Hoax Bombs
• Components of Explosives
• Deadly Weapon in Penal Institution
• Penalty if Offense Committed Within Weapon-Free School Zone
• Making a Firearm Accessible to a Child

Gambling

• Gambling
• Gambling Promotion
• Keeping a Gambling Place
• Communicating Gambling Information
• Possession of Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia

Conduct Affecting Public Health

• Smoking Tobacco
• Prohibitions Relating to Certain Cigarettes
• Prohibition of the Purchase and Sale of Human Organs

Intoxication and Alcoholic Beverage Offenses

• Public Intoxication
• Possession of Alcoholic Beverage in Motor Vehicle
• Driving While Intoxicated | DWI
• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) with Child Passenger
• Flying While Intoxicated
• Boating While Intoxicated
• Assembling or Operating an Amusement Ride While Intoxicated
• Intoxication Assault
• Intoxication Manslaughter
• Enhanced Offenses and Penalties

Organized Crime

• Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
• Soliciting Membership in a Criminal Street Gang

Drug Charges

• Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Meth, Marijuana, Prescription Drugs
• Manufacture of Controlled Substance
• Delivery of Controlled Substance
• Possession with Intent to Deliver
• Possession of Cocaine
• Possession of Methamphetamine (Meth)
• Possession of Marijuana