Dallas Criminal Defense Law Firm

Your Right to Remain Silent

Persons subject to questioning by law enforcement officers have a right to remain silent. Before these persons are questioned they have a right to be warned that they have such right. A law enforcement agent is not required to cease his questioning of a suspect unless the suspect’s invocation of his right to remain silent is unambiguous. A law enforcement agent is not required to clarify ambiguous remarks; but may continue to question in order to do so. The failure of law enforcement to cut off questioning when a suspect invokes his right to remain silent renders any subsequent statement inadmissible. read more

When should you hire a criminal defense lawyer?

After an arrest, a judge will normally set bail for the defendant. Bail is a process through which an arrested person is allowed to pay a certain sum of money in exchange for his or her release from jail. Many people make the mistake of rushing to post a bond for the family member or friend in order to quickly have them released from jail, only to realize that they do not have enough money to hire a criminal defense lawyer who may be able to help them fight the charges.

We can help you with the bail process! read more

What is the trial phase of a Criminal Case?

In a felony criminal trial, either a judge or a jury, but mostly the jury, hears, reviews, and examines the evidence in order to decide whether, “beyond a reasonable doubt,” the defendant committed the crime or crimes he or she has been charged with. Of course, the prosecution (district attorneys or city attorneys) has the burden of proving to the judge or jury that the accused (the defendant) committed the offense or offenses in the indictment in hope of obtaining a “guilty” verdict and a conviction of the accused (defendant). read more

What is the sentencing phase of a Criminal Case?

If the accused (the defendant) is convicted of the crimes that he or she has been charged with, whether through a guilty plea, plea bargain, judge or jury verdict, the punishment is determined at the sentencing phase. When it comes to the punishment phase, a number of different kinds of punishments can be imposed on a criminal defendant. The sentencing judge will also consider punishments and sentencing ranges identified in applicable criminal statutes, as well as a number of case-specific factors. read more