Granbury Criminal Defense Attorney

Meet Our Criminal Defense Attorney

Rob Christian
Board Certified^®

Hood County Criminal Defense Lawyer Helping You Fight Criminal Charges

Being charged with a criminal offense in Texas can be extremely frightening and stressful. Texas is known to have strict penalties for people convicted of crimes, and in many cases, the collateral consequences that occur after incarceration are just as difficult and life-altering. Drug offense convictions are responsible for almost 50 percent of all federal incarcerations. In Texas, drug offenses also make up many arrests and convictions, followed by theft, aggravated assault, burglary, and robbery.

If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges in Texas, it is essential that you speak to a knowledgeable Hood County criminal defense attorney from The Law Offices of Rob Christian. When you have a strong legal advocate by your side, your criminal charges could potentially be reduced, or there could be a valid reason why the charges should be dropped altogether. This is not a time to sit back and hope for the best; rather, it is the time to be proactive about your future.

Texas Criminal Offense Levels

The Texas Penal Code details classifications and punishments for Texas criminal offenses.

• Class A misdemeanors are the most serious misdemeanor criminal offenses and can include assault, burglary of a vehicle, DWI with a BAC of less than 0.15 percent, evading or resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful carrying of a weapon, or violations of protective orders. Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to 365 days in county jail and a fine as large as $4,000.
• Class B Misdemeanors include marijuana possession, DWI, criminal trespass, harassment, false report to a peace officer, and indecent exposure. Class B misdemeanor penalties include up to 180 days in county jail and a fine as large as $2,000.
• Class C Misdemeanors are the least serious criminal offenses, and they include assault, disorderly conduct, traffic tickets, public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft when the item is worth less than $100. Class C misdemeanors are punishable by a fine as large as $500.
• State Jail felonies are the lowest level of felony offense in Texas, punishable by no less than 180 days and no more than two years in a State Jail facility and a fine up to $10,000. Common State Jail felonies include DWI with a child passenger, burglary of vehicle 3^rd offense, credit/debit card abuse, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fourth offense prostitution, and second offense evading arrest.
• Third-degree felonies include assault, evading arrest in a vehicle, third DWI, kidnapping, intoxication assault, possession of child pornography, indecency with a child, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Third-degree felony convictions can result in two to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
• Second-degree felonies include aggravated assault, promoting prostitution, manslaughter, robbery, human trafficking, online solicitation of a minor, and home burglary. Penalties for second-degree felonies include a prison sentence of between two and 20 years and fines of up to $10,000.
• First-degree felonies are punishable by a prison term between five and 99 years, and fines as large as $10,000. Some of the more common first-degree felony offenses include murder, sexual assault, intoxication manslaughter, continuous sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery, and aggravated assault.
• Capital felonies are the most serious type of felony in Texas, including murder of a public safety officer and murder during the commission of certain other felonies. Punishment for a capital felony is life in prison without parole, death, or life in prison with the possibility of parole if the offense was committed before the person's 18^th birthday.

Drug charges and theft charges can vary based on the quantity or weight of drugs found or the value of the items that were allegedly stolen. As a result, both of these offenses are considered "value ladder" offenses, which essentially means the crime can have enhanced charges and penalties based on the specific circumstances.

Contact a Granbury, Texas Criminal Defense Attorney

Taking the first step to contact a criminal defense attorney can feel overwhelming at a time when you are already struggling with your charges and worried about your future. Many people ask friends, family members, or co-workers for a referral for a criminal defense attorney. Others will look online to find a criminal defense attorney near them that seems like a good fit.

However you choose to find an attorney, it is crucial that you do it quickly. The sooner your attorney is on your case, the sooner you will know your rights are protected and that your attorney will work hard to minimize the potential penalties. Contact The Law Offices of Rob Christian at 682-936-4003 to schedule a free consultation with a skilled, highly experienced criminal defense lawyer.