Defense Strategies for Criminal Charges

When you are facing criminal charges in League City or Galveston, it is critical to hire an experienced and aggressive Texas criminal defense attorney who can work with you to develop the strongest possible defense strategy to help you avoid a conviction. As your lawyer will discuss with you, defense strategies are specific to the type of charges you are facing and the specific facts of your case. In other words, there is certainly not a one-size-fits-all strategy for defending against criminal charges in Texas, and even when two people are facing the same charges (such as for drug possession or fraud), the same defense strategy that is effective for one defendant may not necessarily be for the other. Accordingly, you need to work with a lawyer who can tailor a defense strategy to the particularities of your case.

In the meantime, however, it is important to learn more about common defense strategies that could be relevant to you if you are facing charges for a criminal offense under state or federal law.

Mistaken Identity or You Have an Alibi

Police often make mistakes and arrest the wrong person for a crime. Having a firm alibi can allow you to beat the criminal charges you are facing.

Entrapment

The defense of entrapment requires a defendant to prove that a law enforcement official induced you to commit the crime, and that you would not otherwise have committed the offense. Merely giving a person the opportunity to commit a crime does not constitute entrapment. Since entrapment involves an admission that you did commit an act, it is critical to seek advice from a defense lawyer before you raise this type of defense.

Self-Defense

Like the entrapment defense, raising the defense of self-defense involves an admission that you committed an act, but that you had justification for doing so because you were defending yourself or another person.

Police Misconduct or Constitutional Violation

If the police engaged in misconduct or violated your constitutional rights in any way, any evidence obtained as a result of the misconduct or violation cannot be used against you. As such, if the key evidence the prosecution has against you was obtained unlawfully, you may be able to avoid a conviction.

Statute of Limitations Has Run Out

In some cases, you may face criminal charges for an offense that is alleged to have occurred quite some time ago. Although some felony offenses do not have a statute of limitations, there is a statute of limitations on many types of criminal offenses under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. If the statute of limitations has run out in your case, you may have a complete defense.

Insanity

Depending upon the case, some people who are accused of certain criminal offenses may be able to plead not guilty by reason of insanity. However, it is important to know that there is a very high bar to proving insanity under Texas law.

Contact Our League City and Galveston Criminal Defense Attorneys

Were you arrested for a criminal offense in League City or Galveston, or have you been charged following an arrest? Our experienced League City and Galveston criminal defense lawyers can speak with you today about your case and potential defense strategies that could help you to an acquittal. Contact The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates to learn more about the services we provide.