Criminal charges in Texas are often complex and involve a number of steps which occur immediately after arrest. Your arrest itself is frightening enough and will often catch you off guard. Sometimes you may forget what rights you have upon arrest even if the arresting officer tells you your rights. After arrest you may be taken to a Dallas or Fort Worth jail for a few days before your initial appearance before a magistrate to determine your bail and criminal charges. This is just a snapshot of the initial criminal process. The reality involves many more circumstances that have a direct impact on any potential criminal charges, which indicate the necessity for a criminal attorney.

This process has changed drastically over the course of the criminal justice system, stemming from early "common law" in England 500 years ago and evolving as new laws are created to protect modern interests.

Criminal Law in Texas

Criminal defense attorneys are well versed in the Texas Penal Code and understand how devastating even a misdemeanor offense can be to your criminal record. The Texas Penal Code details criminal charges and punishment ranges for a variety offenses, many which you probably did not know existed. Criminal attorneys typically accept cases involving the following:

€ Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
€ Assault
€ Burglary and other theft crimes
€ Murder

However, there are a multitude of other offenses and different combination of offenses which can affect a potential criminal charge which only experienced criminal defense attorneys are equipped to handle. Many people accused of criminal offenses often believe they can readily represent themselves in court but they do not have the courtroom experience that criminal defense attorneys have nor do they have the knowledge of possible defense strategies which could work to their advantage.

Criminal defense attorneys were among the first type of lawyers hundreds of years ago when countries began enacting criminal codes which prohibited certain offenses. English common law details early criminal offenses which were tried in court as well as the strategies criminal defense attorneys used at the time. Criminal offenses have obviously changed heavily throughout the years but the basic premises are still there: criminal defense attorneys exist to protect their clients and try to present the best strategy to the court which will result in their client's favor.

The next hundred years will not indicate too drastic of a shift in criminal defense strategies but much like common law England, we may begin to see a shift in different and new criminal offenses which we cannot foresee even now.