Violent Crime Attorney in Alvin

Facing A Serious Charge In Alvin? Call (832) 900-9867 to Begin Your Violent Crime Defense Today

Being accused of a violent crime can change your life in an instant. You may be worried about jail, your job, and what this will mean for your family. If your case started in Alvin or elsewhere in Brazoria County, you need to understand your options quickly and choose the right legal help.

At Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, we focus our work on criminal defense in Texas, including serious allegations that carry the risk of prison and a permanent record. Our attorneys, led by Steve O. Gonzalez and Kristina King, bring more than 32 years of combined criminal defense experience to every case. We work to protect your rights, your freedom, and your future from the moment we get involved.

We know that you may feel that no one is listening to your side of what happened. Our team takes the time to understand your situation, then builds a defense strategy around the specific facts of your case. If you need a violent crime attorney in Alvin, we are ready to talk with you.

Protect your future with an Alvin violent crime lawyer who has spent over three decades in the courtroom. Our firm provides aggressive defense and bilingual services in English and Spanish. Contact us online or call (832) 900-9867 to begin your violent crime defense today.

Understanding Violent Crimes Laws in Texas

In Texas, violent crimes are generally prosecuted under Title 5 of the Texas Penal Code, often referred to as "Offenses Against the Person." These laws are designed to punish any act that causes, attempts to cause, or threatens physical harm to another individual. An experienced violent crime attorney in Alvin must navigate these complex statutes to identify the specific defenses applicable to your case.

• Assaultive Offenses: Assault is the most common violent crime charge in Texas. It can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances.
• Aggravated Assault: An assault is elevated to "aggravated" status if the actor causes serious bodily injury or uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault. This is typically a second-degree felony but can be enhanced to a first-degree felony under certain conditions, such as family violence involving a weapon.
• Homicide and Manslaughter: The most serious tier of violent crimes includes:
  • Murder: Intentionally or knowingly causing the death of an individual.
  • Manslaughter: Recklessly causing the death of an individual.
  • Criminally Negligent Homicide: Causing death through criminal negligence.
• Robbery and Aggravated Robbery: While often associated with theft, robbery is classified as a violent crime in Texas because it involves causing bodily injury or threatening a person during the course of a theft. Aggravated robbery involves the use of a deadly weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an elderly or disabled person.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Violent Crime Convictions in Texas

Texas is known for its "tough on crime" stance, and the penalties for violent offenses reflect this. A conviction can lead to:

• First-Degree Felony: 5 to 99 years or life in prison; fines up to $10,000.
• Second-Degree Felony: 2 to 20 years in prison; fines up to $10,000.
• Third-Degree Felony: 2 to 10 years in prison; fines up to $10,000.
• Class A Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail; fines up to $4,000.

Collateral Consequences

The consequences rarely end with the sentence itself. A conviction for a violent offense can make it harder to find or keep work, affect professional licenses, limit housing options, and change family law or child custody dynamics. Certain convictions can prevent you from owning or possessing firearms and may carry immigration consequences for non-citizens.

It is important to remember that the state must still prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The arrest or charge is not the same as a conviction. When our firm steps in, we look at the evidence, the law, and the way the case was handled to see what can be challenged and where we can seek a better outcome.

How Our Team Defends Violent Crime Cases in Alvin

When you work with our firm, you are not just another file in a stack. We treat every violent crime case as a unique situation that calls for careful review and a tailored strategy. Our attorneys draw on many years of handling criminal cases in Brazoria County and surrounding counties to evaluate what the state is likely to do and how we can respond.

We begin by reviewing the details. That generally includes police reports, 911 recordings, body camera footage when available, photographs, medical records, and any written or recorded statements. We also sit down with you to hear, in your own words, what happened and what led up to the incident. Your perspective helps us understand whether issues such as self-defense, mistaken identity, or witness credibility may be at play.

Constitutional concerns are another key part of our review. We look at how law enforcement conducted the stop, the detention, the questioning, and any searches that took place. If your rights were violated, it may be possible to challenge certain evidence. We also pay attention to whether the charge filed truly matches the facts or if the case appears to be overcharged based on what occurred.

Our goal is to build a defense plan that reflects both the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence and your own priorities for the future. Some cases may be better positioned for trial, while others may call for focused work on negotiations. A violent crime lawyer in Alvin must be prepared to pursue either path, and our team works to be ready for both.

Here are some of the ways we work on violent crime cases:

• Reviewing reports and recordings for inconsistencies or missing information
• Evaluating possible self-defense, defense of others, or lack of intent
• Identifying potential witnesses who can provide additional context
• Challenging identification procedures or questionable statements
• Presenting your background and circumstances when appropriate in discussions with the state

Throughout the process, we stay focused on advocacy. Our firm is known for integrity and tenacity in courtrooms across Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, and Fort Bend Counties. We are prepared to confront tough prosecutors and present your side of the story to a judge or jury when necessary, while always keeping you informed about risks, options, and likely consequences.

Hire a violent crime attorney in Alvin with the experience of a former prosecutor. At the Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, we offer bilingual services in English and Spanish and +32 years representing the accused. Call (832) 900-9867 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.