Criminal Defense Lawyer in Clear Lake

Criminal Defense Attorney in Clear Lake, TX

Clear Lake City, Texas is a community in the Greater Houston area. It is, like many other communities in the area, a master-planned community. Today, it is home to many individuals who work at NASA, Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, and local petrochemical and biomedical companies. Points of interest in the community include Sylvan Rodriguez Park, The Gulf Coast Film Festival, and performances by the Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre Group.

If you are charged with a criminal offense in Clear Lake City, whether your charge is for a sex crime, DWI, or another criminal offense, it is important that you begin working with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to give your case a better chance of resulting in a lowered or dropped charge.

Clear Lake DWI Attorney

When an individual’s blood alcohol content (BAC) reaches 0.08 percent or higher, he or she is not legally permitted to drive. Driving while one’s BAC is at this level is not only unsafe, it is illegal and grounds for a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge. Individuals who are convicted of DWI face penalties that include yearly surcharges from the Texas Department of Public Safety, fines, driver’s license suspensions, and even jail time.

For an individual’s second or subsequent DWI conviction, the installation of an ignition interlock device on his or her vehicle is also required. Further, if there was a child under the age of 15 in the car at the time of the driver’s arrest, he or she faces additional penalties for a DWI conviction.

Drivers’ BAC is determined by a chemical test administered by law enforcement. All licensed drivers give implied consent to this test. Refusing to take a chemical BAC test comes with a penalty of its own, a driver’s license suspension for 180 days for the individual’s first offense and longer for subsequent offenses.

Have You Been Charged With DWI or DUI in Clear Lake City?

Drunk driving offenses are perhaps the most common type of criminal arrest we deal with. Even a first-time DWI or DUI can have serious repercussions, including the loss of your driver’s license and possible jail time. And if you were traveling with a child–a minor under the age of 15–at the time of your DWI arrest, you will face enhanced penalties.

Many Clear Lake residents do not understand their constitutional rights in a DWI or DUI situation. They mistakenly think they will be able to simply talk their way out of an arrest. But local law enforcement is well trained to spot the potential signs of drunk driving–as well as elicit incriminating answers from suspects.

Remember, you have a constitutional right to remain silent when questioned by police regarding any criminal charge. You also have the right to the assistance of a qualified Clear Lake criminal defense attorney. You will not “look guilty” by hiring an attorney. To the contrary, the best way to assert your innocence and ensure you are treated fairly is to work with a lawyer who understands the criminal justice system inside and out.

Clear Lake Criminal Defense Attorney

A few examples of criminal offenses are as follows:

• Domestic violence;
• Murder and homicide;
• Assault and battery;
• All forms of theft, such as robbery, identity theft, and fraud;
• Burglary;
• Drug-related offenses, such as the manufacture, possession, and distribution of controlled dangerous substances; and
• Traffic violations.

As you can see from the list above, criminal offenses range dramatically in severity. In accordance with this range in severity, criminal charges range in the penalties defendants face when charged with them. For example, the penalties an individual faces for a speeding charge are lower than the penalties he or she would face for a theft charge.

The extent of the offense can also determine the penalties the defendant faces – with theft crimes, for example, individuals convicted of stealing greater amounts of money or valuables face steeper penalties than those convicted of stealing less money or less valuable items.

Clear Lake Sex Crimes Attorney

Sex crimes include the following offenses:

• Public masturbation;
• Public urination;
• Statutory rape;
• Sexual assault;
• Rape;
• Prostitution and related charges;
• Sexual harassment; and
• Sexual exploitation of a minor.

Sex crimes are a specific subset of criminal offenses. These offenses are sexually motivated. In addition to penalties like fines, probation, and jail time, individuals who are convicted of sex crimes are required to register with the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry.

We Provide Full-Service Criminal Defense Representation

In addition to drunk driving cases, the Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates provides full-service criminal defense representation to people accused of all types of felonies and misdemeanors, including but not limited to the following:

• Assault and battery
• Burglary
• Domestic Violence
• Drug Crimes
• Fraud
• Murder and Manslaughter
• Robbery
• Theft
• Traffic Violations
• White Collar Crimes

Regardless of the specific charge, in any criminal prosecution the burden is on the district attorney to prove every element of the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. We will hold the police and prosecution to that standard and do everything in our power to resolve a criminal matter in your favor. While it may be possible to negotiate a plea to a lesser charge or seek probation in lieu of jail time, if necessary we are ready and willing to go to trial.

Facing a Criminal Charge in Clear Lake, TX? We Can Help

If you are facing a criminal charge, you have a role to play while your charge is pending. Your role is to do all that you can to help your case reach a favorable conclusion. This begins when you start working with an experienced criminal defense attorney and continues throughout the criminal justice process, which will include a deposition and a trial.

Follow your attorney’s instructions during each step and do not speak with law enforcement or the prosecution unless you have first spoken with your attorney about what you will say. Saying or doing the wrong thing, even if you feel it is completely innocuous, can potentially incriminate you. Always follow your attorney’s lead while your case is pending.

Work with an Experienced Clear Lake Criminal Defense Lawyer

Whether you are facing a DWI charge, a sex crime charge, or any other type of criminal charge, it is critical to your future liberty that you work with an experienced criminal defense attorney to work to defend your case. A strong defense can mean the difference between serving the penalties associated with your charge and having the charge lowered or even dismissed.

To begin working on your defense, contact The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates today to set up your initial legal consultation with a member of our team. We are dedicated to helping you defend your case.