When do you need to hire a criminal defense attorney?
You need to hire a criminal defense attorney in three circumstances. First, you need a lawyer if police are investigating you for a crime. Second, you need a lawyer if police charge you with a crime. Finally, you need a lawyer if you want to clear your record. To see why this is true, we need to take a closer look at each of these circumstances.
A. Police think you are connected to a crime.
Sometimes police think you did something wrong, but they do not have proof to connect you to the crime. In these cases, a police officer will call you and ask you to come to the police station for an “interview.” This sounds simple enough. However, it isn’t.
This is because the “interview” is actually an interrogation. In particular, police use sophisticated techniques to get you to confess to a crime. Stated differently, during an interview, police look for evidence to link you to a crime.
To be sure, your answers to police questions will show what was going through your mind at the time of the crime. That is to say, your answers will often show that you had criminal intent to commit the crime. On top of that, police will record your answers and the State will use them against you at trial. In effect, you will be testifying against yourself.
Furthermore, when police read you the Miranda script, this is a major red flag that tells you to stop talking. When this happens, you need to stop talking and ask for a lawyer. After that, you should hire an attorney to guide you through the criminal justice system.
B. Police arrest you for a crime.
You will need a criminal defense attorney after police arrest you for a crime. This is because criminal cases carry many risks. These risks include:
- possibly going to jail;
- paying fines;
- losing your right to carry or own a gun;
- losing your right to vote;
- going on probation; and
- even losing your right to stay or remain in the United States.
A criminal defense lawyer will help you manage these risks. Of major interest, your criminal defense attorney will tell you how the law and facts apply to your case. Your attorney will also give you advice on what to expect. Finally, a criminal defense lawyer will use his experience to get the best results possible in your case.
C. You want to clean up your record.
In Texas, the two most common ways to clear your record are expunctions and non-disclosures. Here is how each of these laws work.
- Expunctions: An expunction allows you to clear or erase your arrest records from police databases. This will help you with background checks for good jobs. Further, you qualify for an expunction if any of the following are true: A jury or judge finds you Not Guilty of a crime; the Governor pardons you because you are innocent; and police arrest you for a crime, but the State later drops the charges against you.
- Petitions for Nondisclosure: An order of nondisclosure allows you to seal your criminal records. But notably, it differs from an expunction in one key way. Government agencies will still be able to see your criminal records. For example, if you want to become a teacher, a doctor, a CPA, or a lawyer, then the agencies that license these professions will see your records. Nevertheless, if you complete deferred adjudication probation, you may qualify to have your records sealed. This will help you pass background checks for job searches.
In short, a criminal defense lawyer will advise you on which option you qualify for. And your defense attorney will file the paperwork to get your records either erased or sealed.
What criminal defense services does your law firm offer?
The Law Office of Genaro R. Cortez, PLLC can help you with all phases of a criminal case. Attorney Genaro R. Cortez will help you with police investigations, jury trials, pleas, MTR defenses, and help with clearing your record.
What types of cases do you accept?
- First-time DWI cases;
- Repeater DWI cases;
- First-time alien smuggling crimes;
- Smuggling of Persons cases;
- MTR Defense and probation violation cases;
- Assault-family violence crimes;
- Aggravated Assault charges;
- Mail Fraud;
- Wire Fraud;
- Assaulting a federal agent;
- Murder;
- Motions for early termination of probation;
- Motions for early termination of supervised release;
- Theft and shoplifting crimes;
- Federal crimes defense;
- Help with setting bonds;
- Expunctions; and
- Orders of Nondisclosure.
Do you offer payment plans?
We offer payment plans on some felony cases. If you need a payment plan, then call our office to see if your case qualifies for a payment plan.
San Antonio Criminal Defense Attorney Genaro R. Cortez. Phone 210-733-7575.
Genaro R. Cortez is a criminal defense attorney in San Antonio Texas. Since 2003, he has helped hundreds of clients resolve their felony or misdemeanor cases. This includes taking cases to trial, raising MTR defenses, and helping clients clear their records
If police arrest you for a crime, then call 210-733-7575 today. Genaro R. Cortez offers free case consults.