Austin Criminal Defense Law Firm

The Austin criminal law firm of Kris Davis-Jones provides clients with representation in all areas of criminal law including the following:

Anyone can be charged with a crime and, too often, innocent people can be convicted if they don’t have experienced help.  If you are facing criminal charges or a criminal investigation, it is crucial that you contact an experienced criminal lawyer in Austin as soon as possible. The sooner you get an attorney, the faster the prosecutor, judge, and jury will hear your side of the criminal case. 

Criminal convictions can have myriad effects on your life including unemployment, revocation of a professional license, loss of civil rights, loss of financial aid, fewer college choices, and destroyed credibility.

Felonies and Misdemeanors

Criminal charges are separated into two categories: felonies and misdemeanors. Within each category, crimes are divided into classes based upon their seriousness. In general, felonies are more serious than misdemeanors. Even so, all but the lowest level misdemeanor runs the risk of jail time.

Criminal Defense Legal Steps

There are several steps in a criminal case.  With a knowledgeable Austin criminal defense law firm  at your side, you can increase your chances of a successful outcome.

• Investigation: Evidence is gathered against a suspect. A detective may ask a suspect to meet with them. This should never be done without first consulting an attorney. If enough evidence is collected, a judge may sign an arrest warrant.

• Arrest & Magistration: Once arrested, the suspect appears before a judge. The judge reads the formal charges against him or her.

• Bail Bond & Jail Release: Your lawyer meets with the judge in an effort to convince him or her that you should be set free while fighting the charges.

• Uncontested Pretrial Hearings: This is when your attorney finds out what information the prosecutor has that makes him or her think you have committed a crime. Your Austin, TX criminal lawyer can also present evidence on your behalf.

• Contested Pretrial Hearings: During this phase your Austin criminal defense lawyer can challenge the law or facts in the case against you. For example, your lawyer can argue the police made errors in their investigation. He or she may also be able to force the prosecution to turn over evidence they are withholding or to convince the judge that certain evidence should or should not be admissible at trial. In a best case scenario, a criminal law attorney can show that insufficient evidence exists and the charges can be dismissed at this phase.

• Plea Agreement Negotiation: If the evidence against the suspect is sufficient, an experienced lawyer may be able to negotiate a favorable plea agreement with the prosecution. The prosecution may drop some charges, reduce other charges, agree to a lesser sentence or agree to  probation instead of jail time.

• Trial: If no plea agreement is reached, the case will go to trial. The defendant chooses whether a jury or a judge hears the case. After both sides present evidence, the jury or judge will decide whether the charges have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If the suspect is found not guilty, he or she is free to go. If the jury returns a guilty verdict, the case moves into the sentencing phase.

• Sentencing: At this point in the trial, the jury or judge hears more evidence. This time the testimony is primarily about what kind of person the accused is. This will help the jury or judge decide what punishment is appropriate for this crime and this person.

Contact our Austin Criminal Law Firm

To discuss your case with experienced criminal law firm in Austin, call Kris Davis-Jones  at 888.645.3984, or submit our quick contact web form.

Contact The Law Office of Kris Davis-Jones for criminal law & criminal defense services in Austin and its surrounding communities, including Round Rock, Pflugerville, Westlake, Lakeway, Buda, Kyle, Bastrop, Elgin, Georgetown, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Lockhart, and San Antonio.