When you are being questioned or accused of a crime, even before you are arrested, call your attorney and allow them to remain in control over what occurs next. If you have been arrested, it is critical to work closely with your legal team to navigate the next steps. By taking the right steps in hiring a criminal defense attorney, you are preparing yourself for the best possible outcome. That is because you will have insight and guidance through every part of the process.

You need to know your rights under the law. You do not have to talk to police, federal agents, or anyone else, no matter how nice, helpful, or “on your side” they seem. These people are never on your side and always looking to settle the case you have. It is critical, though, that you remain polite and respectful. You do not have to be aggressive or angry since that can often be used against you by the police. Things like touching a police officer, talking to them, or yelling at them will cause an escalation in your situation, and that can be used in court against you.

Simply tell the police that you want to speak to your attorney. Then, remain quiet. Wait for your attorney to arrive and follow their advice on how to navigate the legal situation moving forward. Let your attorney ask you questions and answer honestly and thoroughly in privacy. Your attorney will also need to know how the police and other law enforcement officers handled the case up to this point.

If you believe there are witnesses to your situation or you need medical attention, share that information with your attorney. Be sure that your criminal defense attorney in Austin, TX, has a full understanding of what you are facing, why, and what you know so they can create the best possible defense for you. Their sole job is to represent you, and anything you tell your attorney is protected. If you leave out any type of information, that may make it hard for your attorney to help you through challenges that arise over time.

If you have a family member or close friend who has been arrested or accused of a crime, it can be worrisome and even overwhelming to know what you can do to help them. It can be very worrisome if your friend is being accused or questioned and you cannot be there to help them. If your friend is in the Travis County jail or an associated location, you may want to do all you can to get them released.

The process is not that simple and will take, at a minimum, several hours. It typically can be expedited more fully and with better results with the help of a jail release attorney. Your attorney knows the risks and can offer objective but fast results in these matters.

If you need to get someone out of jail, call your attorney immediately. Our law firm is available day and night to provide assistance to clients. We can often start the process of getting them out of jail quickly, and ensure that they are out of jail as soon as it is possible to do so. Do not wait to give us a call immediately for help.

No matter how straightforward you think your case is, having the help and guidance of a trusted defense attorney is critical to protecting your future. Our law office will work closely with you if you have been charged with a crime to guide you through the entire process and to ensure you have a good understanding of what your rights are throughout this process. We can help you in several ways:

• We guide our clients through the entire criminal investigation process. If you have not been charged yet, this is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your future.
• We will visit with a judge to get arrest warrants removed whenever it is possible to do so.
• Our legal team can arrange for you to turn yourself in peacefully, if this is necessary, to law enforcement if you have been charged with a crime, minimizing the risk of any escalation of the situation.
• We will advise you on the criminal charges you are facing, including what they are, why they are being placed, and what the potential consequences of those charges are. We prepare you for what could occur.
• You can count on us to fully explain the judicial system to you. This includes helping prepare you for each stage of the process so you are prepared for what occurs at every stage of the process.
• We work to gather any evidence in your case. This ensures that you have the defense to prove your side of the story.
• We work to gather any witness statements or other data to support your case, including expert witnesses that may be applicable to your situation.
• Our team will work to get you out of jail whenever it is possible to do so and as quickly as possible. We know how important this is to you.
• We will work closely with you to create a legal defense strategy that fits your specific situation. We will examine several options that may be available to you to ensure you get the ability to choose the best route forward for your situation.
• We handle your arraignment, as well as pre-trial motions on your behalf. We work with you throughout this process to ensure you are prepared. We then remain by your side throughout the trial and any potential sentencing that may be associated with your case.
• We then will negotiate with the prosecutor for a lesser charge, reduced punishment, and any type of reduction in punishment that may be possible in your case.

In the long term, we are fast, efficient, and working to protect your future. We also help to save you money and time in the long run.

Choosing a defense attorney should be a process you put time into since the work these professionals do typically will play a significant role in the outcome of your case. There are several things we encourage you to look for in a qualified defense attorney.

Experience

Look for a criminal defense attorney who has specific experience in criminal law, not just a family attorney. There is too much at stake to choose anyone who does not understand both areas of the law. You want to be sure that they have some experience working with or even as a prosecutor.

Our attorney has exceptional experience working as a criminal defense attorney. We have helped people navigate some of the most challenging legal matters and have developed a solid reputation in the area for the legal services we offer. Because we understand the local court system, we can provide you with a better level of care and understanding through this legal process.

Time

Another big factor to look for when hiring a criminal defense attorney is time – do they have the time to dedicate to your specific needs? While it can be beneficial to work with a busy attorney as that means they have experience, you want to ensure they have enough time to devote to your case. The worst situation can occur when an attorney does not prioritize your case, and you do not get the support you need to navigate this legal process.

This is one of the most important reasons not to use a public defender. Many are so overloaded with clients and cases that they do not have the time to devote to your case, and that means that you will get the bare minimum in legal support and guidance. You want an attorney who can dedicate ample time to your case on a consistent basis.

Communication and Accessibility

The next step is to ensure you are working with someone who is good at communicating with you. You should be able to contact them at any time, ask any questions you have, and receive ongoing guidance. An attorney who is committed to contacting you and answering your call is someone you can trust.

Local Experience

It helps to have a criminal trial lawyer in Austin, Texas, who knows the area, the court system, and the people involved in your case. They will have local insight and first-hand experience that can help the attorney to better serve your needs. You want an attorney that is well-connected.

Fees

You will need to pay for a criminal defense attorney, but with so much on the line, this is an investment in your future you cannot take for granted. At the same time, you want to be sure you understand the actual costs you will need to pay as well as what is included (and not included) in that service.

Be thorough in the research you complete for an Austin, TX criminal lawyer. This person needs to help you to navigate one of the most important times of your life, and you need to be sure they have the experience to help you do so with confidence.

Federal crime conspiracy occurs when two or more parties agree to commit a crime with a specific goal in mind, and the infraction is at the federal level. If you have been charged with federal conspiracy, that means the government believes you and one or more other people have worked together to conspire to commit a federal crime. This may be due to a crime such as the following:

• Drug possession
• Bribery
• Bank robbery
• Importing of drugs into the U.S.
• Medicare fraud
• Money laundering
• Transport of undocumented aliens into the U.S.
• To be charged with conspiracy, you agree with at least one other person to commit a criminal act. The government will charge you with this and pursue the highest level of charges possible depending on the circumstances.

Because these cases are complex and only require that the government prove that some type of agreement was met, even if the actual crime has not occurred, it is critical to have a highly experienced attorney available to help you. Our seasoned federal conspiracy trial attorney in Austin, TX, can help you throughout this legal process.

Federal drug crimes fall under 21 U.S.C. § 841 and 21 U.S.C. § 952. There are four types of drug crimes. It is possible to be charged with just one or more than one. The following are the four types of federal drug crimes you could be facing. Each one of these crimes is a serious offense and typically carries substantial legal consequences. It is critical that you have a criminal defense attorney with federal drug crime experience to help you.

• Manufacturing a Controlled Substance: The term manufacturing implies that a person engaged in any activity that produced or processed a controlled substance. That could involve preparing it in some way, extracting it, or otherwise making it accessible. An example of this includes growing marijuana or creating pressed pills, both of which are federal crimes.
• Distribution of a Controlled Substance: Distribution of a controlled substance occurs when you have a drug in your possession that is then passed to another person. Distribution can be a charge you face even if you have not exchanged money. If the drug changed hands from you to another person, and that drug was a controlled substance, it can be considered the distribution of a controlled substance.
• Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute: This federal crime is one that is a bit more complex in that it requires that a person has an illegal drug on them, and there is some reason to believe that you plan to distribute the drug to other people. This is a charge that is often less serious of a crime than the manufacturing of a controlled substance or distribution of a controlled substance because the drug has not changed hands just yet. However, there are still significant consequences with this crime, and as a result, it should be taken seriously.
• Importing a Controlled Substance: The final charge under federal law is importing a controlled substance, which is somewhat like distribution. The difference is that the drug is being brought into the United States illegally. This can be charged to you if you mislead U.S. Customs or Border Patrol agents about what you are bringing into the country.