Criminal defense lawyers are doing their duty to defend a citizen whose rights are protected by the U.S. Constitution and cannot be easily taken away. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, it is important that you reach out to a criminal defense lawyer to help you vigorously fight your case.
A vigorous defense is necessary to protect the innocent and to ensure that judges and citizens—and not the police—have the ultimate power to decide who is guilty of a crime. In truth, the defense lawyer almost never really knows whether the defendant is guilty of a charged crime.
The defense attorney may wish to conduct further, independent investigation. The defense may contact crime victims and witnesses. defense investigator works for the person accused of the crime.
A criminal lawyer can still defend the client by arguing that the evidence does not prove the elements of the offence beyond reasonable doubt. If the client gives evidence denying guilt or makes a statement claiming their innocence, the solicitor must stop acting for them.
9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•
First of all, liars have difficulty maintaining eye contact with the person asking the questions. If the witness looks up at the ceiling while thinking of an answer, or looks down at the floor, they are liying every time. When a witness covers his mouth with his hand, he is about to lie.
The new version of Article 39.14 removed the "good cause" requirement for disclosure in criminal discovery. Under the amended version, any material evidence must be disclosed upon request from the defense, and the defense has no obligation to show "good cause" for the request.
Yes. Even if the “victim” does not want to prosecute, the State can, and most often will, go forward with an assault charge. In criminal cases, it's not the injured party's (Victim) decision as to whether a case will be prosecuted.
A prosecution can progress even if there is no support from a key witness or victim. However, there must be some evidence. Evidence can come from things said in the heat of the moment by one party or the other that can be recorded and later relied upon in a court trial.
By providing zealous representation, an attorney makes sure that the authority to decide a defendant's guilt or innocence stays where it belongs: with the judge or jury. Duty Bound. Lawyers are bound to zealously advocate for all clients, rather than just innocent ones.
Should I Admit Guilt to My Defense Attorney? It's almost always advisable to tell your lawyer the whole truth about your case, even if you've committed a crime. Giving your lawyer all the facts helps them craft the best defense by raising reasonable doubt.
If your lawyer is aware that you are guilty and you want to defend the charges against you, your best solution is to find another lawyer to represent you. This is because a lawyer who is aware of your guilt can only defend you by 'putting the prosecution to proof'.
Lawyers must be honest, but they do not have to be truthful. A criminal defence lawyer, for example, in zealously defending a client, has no obligation to actively present the truth. Counsel may not deliberately mislead the court, but has no obligation to tell the defendant's whole story.
Attorney-client privilege is important to understand. If you're charged with a crime, remember that you can be honest with your criminal defense lawyer with the full knowledge that this information stays between the two of you.
In short, a false statement is perjury when it is made under oath or made under penalty of perjury. Two separate statutes define the crime of perjury under federal law.
However, when practising law, lawyers can only provide legal assistance, advice, and counselling to their clients while an attorney can represent clients in court and initiate defendant prosecutions in addition to providing legal counsel and consultation.
Robert Fickman has had an AV Rating (the highest rating) with Martindale Hubbell for over 20 years.
Houston criminal defense lawyer Robert Fickman has been defending clients in federal court for over 30 years. He has handled over 275 federal cases. He has stopped federal charges from being filed. He has gotten federal charges dismissed. He has tried and won federal jury trials and federal bench trials. His longest federal trial lasted 9 weeks and his client was acquitted on all charges. Houston criminal defense lawyer Robert Fickman has spent his entire career defending people. Robert Fickman is proud that during his career he never prosecuted a single soul.
However, in Texas, only prosecutors and district attorneys have the power to drop a case. For this reason, those who have been charged with the crime of domestic assault should take this allegation extremely seriously.
If you’re convicted of a domestic violence crime in Texas, the punishment assigned to you by the judge will depend on a number of factors and can range widely — from a Class A misdemeanor to a 1st degree felony. Factors such as your relationship to the defendant, your past criminal record and whether a weapon was involved will all ultimately play a role in determining your sentence.
If you or a loved one have been arrested for or accused of domestic violence in Houston, you deserve a competent and aggressive defense attorney who will be dedicated to protecting your rights and reputation. Contact The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp to protect your good name if you’ve been charged with any assault crime, including the following:
In Texas, domestic violence offenses are punishable as follows: 1 Class A misdemeanor: up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine up to $4,000 2 3rd degree felony: 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000
People falsely report domestic violence for many reasons. Perhaps a spurned spouse or past dating partner is seeking revenge, or maybe the accuser is trying to gain leverage in a child custody or divorce battle. Whatever the motive, don’t make the mistake of dismissing the accusation as unimportant just because it never happened. Even if you know the truth, it’s up to you (and your legal team) to show that to the judge or investigators.
Often, police officers who are called to a domestic violence complaint are required to make an arrest to ensure the safety of the perceived victim. Many times, law enforcement will conduct a very brief and hurried investigation before making the decision to arrest someone for assault or domestic violence.
In addition to having a permanent criminal record, you may be incarcerated, fined, or placed on probation. You may also be restricted from contacting certain family members and lose certain privileges like possessing a gun or firearm.
The one defense allowed for perjury under Texas law is retraction. If an individual retracted his or her statement before the end of official proceedings, they are precluded from being prosecuted. In order to use this defense, that person must have retracted the statement before it became apparent that it was false in nature. Once it is apparent that a witness is giving false testimony, that opportunity is then closed.
Chapter 37.02 of the Texas Penal Code defines perjury as occurring whenever someone “makes a false statement under oath or swears to the truth of a false statement previously made, and the statements is required or authorized by law to be made under oath.” To be guilty of forswearing, an individual must have had an “intent to deceive” and “knowledge of the statement’s meaning.”
Prostitution is known as an offense against public order and decency. It is listed under Chapter 43 of the Texas Penal Code. Sec.
I’ve represented many clients who have been charged with prostitution, including prostitutes or the Johns who solicit the prostitute.
If you are facing charges related to prostitution, whether the charges filed are a misdemeanor or felony, you need to ensure your rights and interests are zealously protected by a criminal defense lawyer you can trust. You want a lawyer who knows the justice system from the inside out – a former prosecutor.