Hurst, TX Criminal Defense Lawyer

Experienced Criminal Law Attorney for Clients in Hurst, Texas

If you have been arrested for a criminal offense in Texas, you may not have much time before the prosecution starts building a case against you. Depending on the crime you have been accused of, you could face years in prison and fines that can leave you in debt for life. A Hurst criminal defense lawyer can stand up for you in court and fight against harsh prosecution on your behalf.

If you are looking for a qualified, compassionate defense attorney, The Meza Law Firm, PLLC is ready to represent you. Attorney Edwardo Meza is a solo practitioner, so you can rest assured that your case will not be passed from lawyer to lawyer. We provide our clients with personalized legal services, working toward the best possible outcome in every case.

Sex Crimes

If you are accused of a sex crime, you face serious criminal penalties along with the possibility of long-term registration as a sex offender. Some charges that may require sex offender registration in Texas include:

• Sexual assault
• Compelling prostitution
• Online solicitation of a minor
• Possession or promotion of child pornography

Many of these offenses are punishable as felonies. A charge of aggravated sexual assault, for example, is a first-degree felony that carries a sentence of up to 99 years in prison, with a minimum sentence of five years. In Texas, sex offenders are placed in different categories representing the danger they pose to other people. Neighbors and other members of a community may be notified by the authorities if a "high-risk" sex offender moves into their area.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we will do everything we can to help you avoid a conviction or registration on the sex offender list. We may question the accuser's testimony, citing a lack of evidence as a reason to drop your case. Alternatively, we could negotiate for a lesser sentence in plea bargaining, possibly one that does not require registration.

Assault

Assault charges are taken seriously in Texas. Although a brief altercation may not seem like it warrants legal action, you could face felony punishments for certain kinds of assault. In general, you can be charged with assault if:

• You threaten someone else with physical violence
• You intentionally or recklessly injure another person
• You make offensive physical contact with another person

In most cases, assault carries misdemeanor penalties. You may face greater punishments for committing assault against an elderly person or someone with a disability, and you could face felony charges for intentionally injuring a government employee.

We may be able to defend against an assault charge by citing a lack of intent. We can argue that you did not mean to cause anyone harm, potentially getting the charges against you dismissed.

Expungement

Living with a criminal record comes with many challenges. You may struggle to find a job or get approved for a loan, in addition to facing stigma in your community. By applying for expungement, which is known as expunction in Texas, you may be able to reduce the damaging effects of a criminal conviction.

Expungement essentially removes any record of your crime from public access. However, not every crime is available for expunction. Many offenses that did not end in a conviction can be expunged. However, certain crimes of a violent or sexual nature may not be eligible. If expungement is not available, we can help you petition for an order of nondisclosure, which maintains a private record of your conviction for government officials but keeps it out of the public record.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can help you petition for expungement, walking you through the necessary filing and paperwork.

Contact Our Hurst, TX Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you have been charged with a crime in Texas, The Meza Law Firm, PLLC is ready to represent you. Our Hurst criminal defense lawyer will explore all possible options to get your case dismissed, negotiating for the best possible outcome at every opportunity. To schedule a free consultation, call our offices at 817-732-6392 or contact us online today.