Violent Crime Attorney in League City, TX
Facing legal consequences for your alleged involvement in a violent crime can be terrifying and overwhelming. It is vital that you take the proper precautions to protect yourself, and that means staying silent, gathering evidence, and contacting legal help as soon as you possibly can. The last thing you want is to end up serving the maximum sentence because you didn’t seek out legal assistance. A League City violent crime lawyer knows the most efficient ways to help your case.
The legal team at The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates recognizes the difficulties of planning a defense in a violent crime case. Without the help of a League City criminal defense attorney, you will likely end up facing prison time and hefty fines. A League City violent crime attorney can provide you with a sound legal defense and knowledge of the state’s violent crime laws, particularly how they may apply to your case. Our firm can help.
Getting Arrested for a Violent Crime in Texas
Violent crime cases in League City are generally handled by the Galveston County District Courts instead of the local municipal court. While your preliminary hearing may occur locally, the actual felony trial will be handled at the county level. There were over 213,000 felony cases filed throughout the state of Texas in 2024 alone, with many of them being violent crimes. The courts take cases like this very seriously in order to deter future offenders.
Nobody wants to be arrested, and being arrested for a violent crime can be particularly humiliating. You don’t want your family and friends to see you in handcuffs. Still, it’s vital that you remember you are innocent until proven guilty, no matter what the police may say to the contrary. The violent crime rate in Texas was 389 per 100,000 people in 2024, which was higher than the national average. Here’s what you should do if you’re arrested on violent crime charges:
- Ask for a lawyer. As soon as you can, reach out to a criminal defense lawyer and start working on your defense strategy. Without a lawyer’s help, there’s a likely chance you will lose your case and possibly even face the maximum penalty for your alleged crime. If the police try to ask you questions, simply respond that you won’t answer a thing until your lawyer shows up. When they do show up, let them do the talking.
- Don’t resist arrest. Resisting arrest in any way will only make things much worse for you. Not only will you likely face additional charges, but you may also suffer an injury. In 2024 alone, there were over 1,100 violent crime sentences carried out in Texas, according to data from the United States Sentencing Commission. Police will take your arrest seriously and won’t be afraid to use force if they feel threatened.
- Don’t provide additional information. Whatever you do, never provide any information to the police beyond your name, address, and date of birth. You have the right to remain silent, so you should use it to prevent self-incrimination. The police may try to trick you into admitting guilt or accepting responsibility for the alleged crime in some way. Stay silent and keep waiting for your lawyer.
- Never sign anything. If the police try to get you to sign something, like a confession, refuse outright. They may try to get you to waive your rights, which would be catastrophic to your defense. Don’t sign any document the police try to hand you, at least not without your lawyer present. They can look over any document and tell you if it’s some sort of legal trap.
Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges
Any crime involving the use of force, the threat of force, or bodily injury may be considered a violent crime under the Texas penal code. These offenses can range from robbery and kidnapping to sexual assault and murder. They generally carry considerably harsher penalties that include prison time. A murder conviction could even result in the death penalty. You’ll want to work hard with your defense and try to use any avenue available to you. Defenses include:
- Self-defense. In most violent crime cases, self-defense is usually the most common defense that alleged offenders will try to claim. Texas allows the use of reasonable force, including deadly force, if you believe your life is in danger or in an attempt to protect others from harm. You need to be able to prove that you acted in self-defense, which can be done with video footage and witness statements.
- Standing your ground. Texas state law allows individuals to use force in an attempt to protect their home, vehicle, or workplace from unwanted trespassers. Provided you had a legal right to be present on the property, were not the one who provoked the incident, and were not engaged in any criminal activity at the time, you can claim that you only stood your ground. This won’t be a viable defense for kidnapping or sexual assault.
- Lack of intent. The strongest element of the prosecution’s case against you will be proving intent. Without intent, they simply don’t have a case. Most violent crimes require proving your intention to commit a crime in order to secure a conviction. Your lawyer can argue that your actions were reckless but accidental, and you never meant to hurt anyone. While this may not negate the charges, it could lessen them somewhat.
- False accusations. It’s quite common for someone, usually an enemy or a stalker, to make false claims against you in an effort to permanently harm your reputation or get you sent to prison. False accusations of sexual assault, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and more can destroy your life as you know it. You need to get ahead of such charges immediately before they get out of hand and you’re connected to them forever.
- Mistaken identity. Sometimes, the charges against you may simply be a case of mistaken identity, and all you have to do is provide the prosecution with an alibi. If you can prove your whereabouts at the time of the incident, that can be enough to have the charges against you dropped entirely.
FAQs
What Is Considered a Violent Crime in Texas?
For a crime to be considered violent in Texas, it must involve the use of force, the threat of force, or cause someone bodily injury. Most violent crimes in Texas are classified as felonies due to the seriousness of the fallout. Since they’re felonies, the legal penalties are often quite severe, involving prison time, significant fines, and possibly the death penalty in the most extreme cases. If you’re charged with a violent crime, contact a defense lawyer immediately.
What Are the Four Main Types of Violent Crimes in Texas?
These are the four primary types of violent crimes that are frequently tried in the state:
- Murder/non-negligent manslaughter. Intentionally causing the death of another person is considered the most serious crime in the state, including capital murder and manslaughter. It’s common for a murder conviction to include the death penalty in Texas.
- Sexual assault. Sexual assault, or forcible rape, involves forced sexual penetration without consent.
- Robbery. Committing theft while hurting someone.
- Aggravated assault. Hurting someone with a weapon.
What Is Rachel’s Law in Texas?
Rachel’s Law in Texas refers to a 2019 bill that amended Texas law to let prosecutors charge individuals with continuous violence against the family in an effort to protect domestic abuse victims and charge abusers with incidents that occur across multiple counties. It was intended to target repeat domestic abusers who move between jurisdictions to avoid felony charges. Penalties for a Rachel’s Law violation can include up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Should I Hire a Violent Crime Defense Lawyer?
Yes, you should hire a violent crime defense lawyer. Violent crime cases can easily become unpredictable and hard to handle on your own, especially when the stakes are so high. You will want experienced legal help to navigate your case for you, if only to give you peace of mind that you’ll avoid any costly mistakes. A good lawyer’s help can be indispensable and give you a fair chance.
Hire a Violent Crime Lawyer Soon
When you are facing violent crime charges that could land you in prison for years, you should hire a violent crime lawyer to take charge of your case and give you the chance to defend yourself. Never accept that your case is over before it’s even begun. Tad A. Nelson can bring decades of experience handling criminal defense cases and a wealth of Texas penal code knowledge to your case. He recognizes what’s at stake for you and is ready to protect your interests.
At The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates, we can help you build a strong defense strategy, gather evidence that supports your version of events, and make sure nobody tries to take advantage of you during all this. Contact us to speak to someone about what we can do to help you.