Violent Crime Attorney in Friendswood, TX
Facing a serious criminal charge involving an injured victim can significantly raise the stakes. Prosecutors often rely heavily on the testimony of injured victims when pursuing serious consequences that could lead to a life-altering conviction. Having strong representation from a Friendswood violent crime lawyer can provide you with the support and resources you need to successfully fight the charges and clear your name of wrongdoing.
Why You Should Choose The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates?
The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates represent defendants facing different violent crime charges. We understand that these cases place your freedom on the line and are prepared to provide exceptional, results-driven representation that works to secure a favorable outcome in your case that avoids serious consequences like jail or prison time.
Our founding attorney is a Texas Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist with over 400 jury trials to his name. He brings proven trial skills to cases involving assault, robbery, and other serious offenses. Associate attorney Amber Spurlock, a retired Air Force Captain, adds discipline and tactical focus to our defense team.
Together, we take an aggressive and strategic approach to defending violent crime charges and work tirelessly to pursue a good outcome for every client.
Understanding Violent Crimes in Friendswood
Violent crime refers to offenses involving force or the threat of force, including assault, robbery, rape, and homicide. While Friendswood is widely regarded as a safe, family-oriented city, violent crimes do occur and often involve suspects or activity spilling over from neighboring jurisdictions. These cases affect quiet residential areas like Wilderness Trails, West Ranch, or Heritage Park.
In June 2025, a man tied to a string of armed robberies at gas stations in Pearland and Manvel was apprehended following a high-speed chase that ended in Friendswood. The suspect, who allegedly robbed Buc-ee’s and Chevron, crashed his vehicle and fled on foot into a residential neighborhood before being arrested by waiting officers.
He now faces five counts of aggravated robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and evading arrest. His bond was set at approximately $950,000.
Despite occasional high-profile incidents, Friendswood maintains a low violent crime rate of approximately 2.622 per 1,000 residents.
In Galveston County, the violent crime rate was reported at 289 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2022. Statewide, aggravated assaults made up 69.4% of all violent crimes in 2023, contributing to Texas’s overall violent crime rate of 406 per 100,000 residents.
How Violent Crimes Are Investigated
An arrest for assault can occur soon after the incident or after a lengthy investigation.
Police may be called to the scene of an assault, especially if it was committed in public, where they question witnesses and potentially arrest a suspect on the spot.
In other cases, the victim may come forward after the attack or after being hospitalized. Once police become involved, they spend time interviewing the victim to document a description of the suspect and the victim’s account of events. If the suspect’s identity is known, law enforcement may move quickly to question them.
Depending on how much evidence the police are able to gather, they may arrest the suspect early in the investigation. If the victim’s testimony is unreliable or if the suspect’s interview leads law enforcement to believe no crime was committed, the investigation may result in no charges being brought.
The Role of Victim Testimony
Victim testimony often plays a central role in violent crime cases, particularly when physical evidence is limited. In many cases, the prosecution’s case relies heavily on the account given by the alleged victim.
This can make defending against the charges challenging, especially if the testimony is emotional or compelling to a jury. An effective defense strategy may focus on the fallibility of memory, especially when there is minimal or no physical evidence to back up those statements.
Inconsistent victim statements may raise a reasonable doubt, which positions you for a favorable outcome in your case. A Friendswood violent crime attorney may examine the timeline of events, challenge the credibility of the testimony, and identify any bias or motive that could affect the accuracy of the account.
Cross-examination and independent investigation are often key tools that can reveal the full context of what happened. Whether you are facing allegations of assault, robbery, or another serious offense, it’s important to have an attorney who understands how to handle violent crime cases where prosecutors are overly reliant on victim testimony.
What To Expect After Your Arrest?
After a violent crime arrest in Texas, you’ll typically be booked at the local jail where law enforcement collects your fingerprints, takes photographs, and gathers personal information. You will be held until a magistrate hearing, where a judge will inform you of the charges and set bail. This is often done within 24 hours of your initial arrest.
Depending on the severity of the offense, such as assault, robbery, or homicide, you could face felony charges that carry serious penalties. While lower-level offenders are often offered bail as a condition of release, there are no guarantees that a violent crime offender will be afforded that opportunity.
The prosecution may seek to keep you in custody if you’re considered a danger to the public or a flight risk. If you are offered bail, it may be set at a high level that is intended to make paying bail challenging. Your attorney can later challenge these conditions and seek to have you released on an affordable bond.
Whether you are released or kept in jail, the case then proceeds through the criminal court system. Subsequent steps include pretrial hearings and the discovery phase, where your attorney can gather new evidence to support your case and review the evidence held by the prosecution.
Can My Charges Be Dropped?
Violent crime charges can be dropped for several reasons. Charges may be dismissed if key witnesses recant on their testimony. This would leave prosecutors without a legal basis to continue pursuing criminal charges.
Charges may also be dropped if there is insufficient evidence to support the allegations. Prosecutors may accept a case believing that they will obtain further supporting evidence. If they do not, their overreach could leave them with no choice but to drop the charges.
Another reason your case may be dismissed is if your constitutional rights were violated during the investigation or arrest. In some cases, the alleged victim may refuse to cooperate after initially coming forward to make statements against you.
A skilled defense attorney may also uncover inconsistencies or credibility issues with witnesses or victim statements. Whether those situations are handled through motions filed with the court or direct negotiations with prosecutors, dropped charges can allow you to put the ordeal behind you.
Effective Legal Defense Strategies
With the help of a Friendswood violent crime attorney, your case can benefit from a defense strategy that scrutinizes the prosecution’s case and casts doubt on the narrative that you willingly committed a violent crime.
Mistaken identity is one approach that can lead to a favorable outcome in violent crime cases. If the prosecution cannot prove that you are the individual who committed the violent assault, your lawyer can call for your charges to be reduced or dropped.
Self-defense can also form the basis of an effective defense. In Texas, taking reasonable steps to protect yourself and others is perfectly lawful as long as the response is proportional to the perceived threat. If you believed that you were in danger, your actions could be found to be an act of self-defense.
The element of criminal intent also plays a critical role in many criminal cases. If the physical contact was accidental or not intended to inflict harm, your lawyer could argue that you did not act with criminal intent. Whether you pursue these strategies or a more novel approach, any defense strategy should be tailored to the circumstances of the crime and the facts of the case.
Why You Should Hire a Violent Crime Lawyer in Friendswood, TX?
The decision to hire a violent crime lawyer can make a major difference in how your case is resolved and whether or not you ultimately face serious jail or prison time. A seasoned Friendswood violent crime attorney understands how to apply Texas’s complex violent crime laws to your benefit, whether you’re facing charges related to assault, robbery, or a more serious felony.
Their goal is to challenge the prosecution’s case and seek the reduction or dismissal of charges wherever possible. Without a lawyer, you may be pressured into taking an unfavorable plea deal or risk saying something that can be used against you in court.
Legal representation helps level the playing field by giving you access to a dedicated advocate and legal team who can investigate the allegations independently and build a strong defense.
Violent Crime Lawyers Do More Than Argue in Court
They are strategic negotiators who understand when to push for reduced penalties and when to fight the charges head-on. If the state cannot meet its burden of proof, your attorney may file motions to suppress evidence or move for a case dismissal. No matter the strategy, having the right Friendswood violent crime attorney gives you the strongest chance of securing a good outcome in your case so you can put the entire ordeal behind you.
FAQs About Violent Crimes
What Offenses Are Considered Violent Crimes in Texas?
Violent crimes include offenses involving force or threats, such as assault, robbery, murder, aggravated assault, and domestic violence. In Friendswood, prosecutors take these cases seriously and often seek the maximum penalties allowable under state guidelines. Many of these charges are brought as felonies, and some charges carry the potential for mandatory minimum prison sentences.
What Should I Do After Being Arrested for a Violent Crime?
If you were arrested for a violent crime, do not speak to police or anyone else about the case. Exercise your right to remain silent and contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. In Friendswood, anything you say can be used against you. Once you are released, your first action should be to contact a criminal defense attorney to explore your legal options.
Can I Face Prison Time for a First-Offense Violent Crime?
Yes, you can face prison time for a first-offense violent crime. Texas allows prison time even for first-time offenders, depending on the severity of the charge. In Friendswood, violent crimes are often filed as felonies with mandatory minimum sentences. Being a first-time offender does not guarantee you will get no prison time, but it can be used to negotiate a plea bargain agreement that could shield you from serious penalties.
How Does Self-Defense Apply in Violent Crime Cases?
Self-defense is a legal justification for using force to protect yourself or others, but the defensive actions must be proportional to the perceived threat. In Friendswood, a valid self-defense claim can potentially lead to a full dismissal of your charges. If prosecutors refuse to support reducing or dropping charges, your lawyer can argue that you were defending yourself before a jury.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Violent Crime Conviction?
Some of the long-term consequences of a violent crime conviction include prison time, probation, and a permanent felony record. In Friendswood, a conviction may also affect your ability to own firearms, find gainful employment, or maintain professional licenses. These charges carry social and legal consequences that last a lifetime and lead to personal setbacks.
Charged With a Violent Crime in Friendswood? Work With a Proven Legal Team
Violent crime allegations can lead to life-altering consequences. At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, our team brings a deep knowledge of Texas criminal law and a history of successfully handling high-stakes felony cases. Our legal team includes a former U.S. Air Force Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, and we maintain affiliations with the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Galveston County Bar. When you partner with our defense attorneys, you work with a team that takes a strategic, evidence-focused approach to protecting your freedom and reputation. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation with one of our lawyers.