Criminal Defense

Have you been charged with a criminal offense in Denton or Collin County, Texas? If so, you’re probably worried about how a conviction might affect your reputation, your career, and even your future. While it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed at a time like this, it’s important to remember that you have the right to fight the charges against you—and that you can get experienced, committed legal representation to help you do so more effectively.

When you need client-focused criminal defense, it’s time to turn to the Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC. Since 2014, our firm has been proud to protect clients in situations like yours, and to do so with dignity and respect. Contact our firm today for an initial case review with Al Rowland, a seasoned criminal defense attorney in Frisco and serving clients throughout Collin and Denton Counties.

Types of Criminal Matters We Handle

At the Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you pursue a favorable resolution to criminal charges involving:

Drug charges

Our firm advocates on behalf of clients facing charges for various types of drug-related offenses, including simple possession, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute, and drug manufacturing/trafficking.

Sex offenses

Let our firm defend your reputation and future if you’re facing prosecution for sex-based criminal offenses, including sexual assault/rape, public lewdness, indecent exposure, child sexual abuse, “revenge porn,” or possession/distribution of child pornography.

Domestic violence

A dedicated criminal defense lawyer can help you protect your rights and interests after a family member or partner accuses you of committing domestic violence offenses, such as assault, aggravated assault, harassment, stalking, or terroristic threats.

DWI

When the police have arrested you on suspicion of drunk or drugged driving, our firm will fight to protect you from the potentially harsh and devastating consequences of a conviction, from license suspension to imprisonment.

Theft

An attorney can help you pursue a favorable resolution to charges of theft-related crimes, such as petty theft, robbery, embezzlement, grand theft auto, or burglary.

Solicitation of prostitution

In Texas, solicitation of prostitution constitutes a felony offense. Our firm can help you protect your reputation and future from the potentially embarrassing and catastrophic consequences of a conviction for a prostitution-related offense.

Consequences of Criminal Convictions

Under Texas law, penalties for a criminal conviction will vary depending on the grading of an offense. Texas categorizes crimes as misdemeanors (less serious offenses) or felonies (more serious offenses). Penalties for misdemeanor convictions in Texas include:

Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both incarceration and fines
Class B misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both incarceration and fines
Class C misdemeanor: A fine of up to $500

Penalties for felony convictions include:

Capital felony: Death penalty or life imprisonment (life without parole for offenders 18 or older when they committed the offense)
First-degree felony: Five to 99 years imprisonment and a potential fine of up to $10,000
Second-degree felony: Two to 20 years imprisonment and a potential fine of up to $10,000
Third-degree felony: Two to 10 years imprisonment and a potential fine of up to $10,000
State jail felony: 180 days to two years in state jail and a potential fine of up to $10,000

Criminal sentences can include other punishments in addition to incarceration and fines. A court may order a defendant to pay restitution, which obligates them to reimburse their victims for the financial losses the victim suffered due to the crime. Defendants convicted of sex offenses may have to register as sex offenders upon their release from incarceration.

A criminal conviction can also have long-lasting consequences beyond a sentence, including a criminal record that may appear in a background check. Some offenses may disqualify individuals from specific jobs or government benefits. Moreover, the stigma of a record can make it challenging to seek employment, housing, educational, or financial opportunities.

Common Defenses in Criminal Cases

Depending on the charges you face, you might have various defenses available to you that will undercut the prosecution’s case and help you pursue a dismissal or reduction of your charges or an acquittal at trial. Examples of defense strategies used in criminal cases include:

Lack of intent: Defendants may fight criminal charges by claiming they did not have the required criminal intent to commit the offense.
Lack of possession: In drug and weapons cases, a defendant may argue that the evidence fails to prove they had actual or constructive possession of the contraband.
Self-defense: Defendants facing charges such as assault, battery, or homicide may claim they acted in self-defense to protect themselves or others from the alleged victim’s aggression or violence.
Consent: In cases involving sex offenses, a defendant may claim that the alleged victim gave valid consent to the sexual activity.
Mistaken identity: Defendants may challenge the reliability of victim or eyewitness identification by highlighting issues with the victim’s or witness’s perspective or arguing that police conducted an improperly suggestive identification procedure.
Alibi: A defendant may present an alibi defense by submitting evidence showing that they were somewhere else when the alleged crime occurred, and thus, the defendant could not have committed the offense.
Duress/coercion: A defense based on claims of duress or coercion alleges that a third party forced the defendant to commit the charged crime.

Defense strategies in criminal cases can also challenge the reliability of forensic evidence due to testing issues or breaks in the chain of custody. Defendants may also move to exclude evidence from the prosecution’s case by arguing that police obtained evidence or inculpatory statements through unlawful searches or questioning.

What Should You Do After an Arrest?

When the police arrest you, you can best protect your legal options by exercising your rights to remain silent and consult with a criminal defense attorney. Your right to remain silent means you do not have to answer the police’s questions after an arrest or during an interrogation. You should also exercise your right to an attorney as soon as possible after an arrest by telling the arresting officers that you want to talk to a criminal defense attorney. Contact a lawyer from the Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, promptly after an arrest to get help defending your freedom and future from the potential consequences of criminal charges.

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help with Your Case?

A criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of Al Rowland, PLLC, can help you pursue a positive resolution to your charges by:

Independently investigating your charges to recover all available evidence to create a solid defense to fight your charges.
Evaluating your options for pursuing a resolution to your case, including possible defenses that you may have available to you.
Vigorously contesting the prosecution’s case at each step, including moving to exclude evidence that police may have unlawfully obtained by violating your rights.
Aggressively fighting for the best possible outcome, even if that means going to court and trial to fight your charges and advocating your innocence.

Contact Our Firm Today to Discuss Your Charges

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Denton or Collin County, get the legal representation you need to defend your rights and interests. Contact the Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, today for a confidential consultation with experienced criminal defense attorney Al Rowland to secure the client-focused advocacy you deserve.