Criminal Justice Attorney – Fighting For Your Rights, No Matter What

Criminal Defense Lawyer in El Paso

The Law Offices of Luis Yañez will help right when you call our office for a consultation. As a local firm, we’ve been the top-rated criminal defense lawyer due to our great quality. Our reviews and ratings speak about our reliable and experienced consult firm. For the best criminal defense, give us a call.

Cases We Handle

The Law Offices of Luis Yañez can take care of all your criminal defense needs. As criminal defense lawyers, we’ve successfully handled a wide variety of criminal defense cases and continue to help hundreds of defendants each year. Some of our more frequent cases include defense for:

DUI
Driving Violations
Domestic Violence
Theft Charges
Assault and Battery
Drug Charges
Sex Crimes
Resisting Arrest
Probation
Violations
Firearm Offenses

What Happens When You’re Charged

After the arrest and the police report, a prosecutor will read the police report and decide if you will be changed with the crime. If you’re charged with a misdemeanor in Texas, the District Attorney will decide to proceed with a criminal charge by filing a “complaint.”

Felony Charges in Texas

If you need a criminal defense lawyer in a felony case, we can also assist you. The process will begin as the case goes before a group of citizens known as a Grand Jury They will determine if there’s enough evidence to move forward. It’s always best to reach out to a lawyer right away if you have been charged with a felony. Felony charges range from capital felonies to third-degree felonies. We’ve outlined what each means below.

Capital Felony

Marked as the worst type of criminal offense. Some examples of Capital Felony include:

Premeditated capital murder
Murder such as intentional, multiple, involved with another crime, with guns, of a police officer, or a repeat offense
Espionage
Treason
Death resulting from aircraft hijacking
Genocide

First Degree Felony

Some examples of Second Degree Felonies include:

Aggravated or sexual assault against a child
Solicitation or attempted capital murder
Aggravated robbery, kidnapping, or assault of a public servant
Burglarizing a habitation with the intent to commit a felony
Causing a severe bodily injury to a child, disabled person, senior citizen
Trafficking children below the age of 14
Arson of a habitation resulting in death

Second Degree Felony

Some examples of Second Degree Felonies include:

Online solicitation of a minor under the age of 14 years
Human trafficking
Improper educator-student relationship
Indecency with a child
Manslaughter
Intoxicated manslaughter
Marijuana possession (50 to 2,000 pounds)
Arson
Aggravated or sexual assault
Robbery Bigamy
Second offense stalking
Bribery
Evading arrest involving the death of another person

Third Degree Felony

This goes above the state jail felonies and misdemeanors. Some examples of Third Degree Felonies include:

Indecent exposure to a child
Third offense DWI
Tampering with evidence
Aggravated perjury
Stalking
Possessing a firearm as a felon
A third offense of violating a protective order
Escape from felony custody
Deadly conduct with a firearm

State Jail

This doesn’t exactly fall under the degree system but is a state crime where punishment is jail time of 180 days-2 years with a fine up to $2,000. These can also be lowered as a misdemeanor. Some examples include:

DWI with a child passenger
Criminally negligent homicide
Possessing less than a gram of a controlled substance
Burglarizing
Check to forge
Evading arrest with a vehicle
Unauthorized use of a vehicle
Theft valued from $1,500 to $20,000
Cruelty to animals
False alarm or reporting
Identity fraud
Interfering with child custody

Misdemeanor Charges in Texas

The least important or least serious offenses are called misdemeanors. These are sorted by different classification types based on the severity of the offense, class A, B, and C. Class A are the most severe offenses.

Class A

The most severe misdemeanor charge, Class A, can turn into a year in county jail and/or a fine up to $4000 and/or up-to two years probation. Examples include:

Perjury
Burglarizing a motor vehicle or coin-operated machine
Second offense DWI
Assault with bodily injury
Public lewdness
Possessing 2 – 4 ounces of marijuana
Promotion of gambling
Jumping bail for a misdemeanor offense
Escaping from misdemeanor custody
Resisting or evading arrest
Carrying a weapon illegally
Animal cruelty
Theft of a check
Interfering with a 911 call
Violating a protective order

Class B

Examples of a Class B misdemeanor include:

First offense DWI
Indecent exposure in public
Prostitution
Silent or prank 911 calls
Intentionally lying to the police
Presenting a fraudulent degree
Rioting
Criminal trespassing
Harassment
Making terror threats

Class C

Examples of a Class B misdemeanor include:

Any traffic citations
Issuing a “hot” check for under $20
Petty theft veiled at less than $50
Shoplifting of items valued at less than $50
Leaving a lone child inside a vehicle
Gambling
Disorderly conduct
Public intoxication
Possessing alcohol or tobacco as a minor
Driving under the influence as a minor
Having alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle
Minor assault
Bail jumping
Drug paraphernalia possession

Texas Laws & Your Rights

Take advantage of your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Don’t try to talk your way out of the situation without the help of a lawyer. Don’t allow a search of your car, trunk, or house without consulting first from a criminal defense lawyer.

Charges You May Face

Most common misdemeanors will not result in time in a state penitentiary. Most misdemeanors will result in:

Fines: Most misdemeanors result in fines never exceeding more than $4,000
County Jail: Some charges could result in your imprisonment for a short time at a county jail or house arrest.

You could also be sentenced to both fines and county jail time.

For a felony, you will face more severe penalties that may include:

State Jail Felony – Jail time from 180 days – 2 years and a fine up to $10,000
Third Degree Felony – Prison sentence from 2-10 years and a fine up to $10,000
Second Degree Felony – Prison sentence from 2-20 years and a fine up to $10,000
Third Degree Felony – Prison sentence from 5-99 years (or life sentence) and a fine up to $10,000
Capital Felony – Prison sentence of life without parole or execution

Benefits of Our Lawyer Representation

If you’re charged with a misdemeanor or felony, it’s best not to plead guilty without a lawyer present to help you with your case. Remember, you are innocent until proven guilty. We have the knowledge and experience to help verify your innocence, and depending on your criminal history or background, we can work around many charges.

Contact Our Law Firm Today

If you have any questions on a misdemeanor charge or if you’re facing a felony, contact us to be your criminal defense lawyer today. We can guide you through the process and help you make the best decision possible and assist in negotiations or dismissals. We’re here to fight for you and prove your innocence.