Stalking Attorney in Brazoria County

Serious Allegations, Real Help From Our Defense Team

Being accused of stalking can change your life in a moment. You may be worried about jail, a permanent record, and the impact on your family and work. If your case is in Brazoria County, you will also be facing unfamiliar court dates, bond conditions, and protective orders.

At Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, we know how overwhelming this feels. Our criminal defense team has more than 32 years of combined experience handling serious charges in Texas, including cases in the Brazoria County criminal courts. We work to protect your rights, explain your options, and guide you through each step of the process.

If you need a stalking charges attorney in Brazoria County to talk through what is happening and what comes next, we are ready to listen and help you plan a way forward.

Don't let a misunderstood pattern of conduct lead to a felony conviction. Get the technical and strategic defense you need from an experienced stalking defense attorney. Call us at (832) 900-9867 or contact us online for a free consultation today.

Understanding Stalking Laws in Texas

Stalking is prosecuted under Texas Penal Code § 42.072. Unlike many other crimes that consist of a single isolated event, stalking is defined by a "scheme or course of conduct." To be charged with this third-degree felony, the state must allege that you engaged in conduct directed at a specific person on more than one occasion.

In Texas, what one person considers an attempt to reconcile after a fight or a series of unfortunate coincidences, the state may classify as a calculated "pattern of conduct" intended to cause fear. Stalking might include following someone, appearing at their home or workplace, sending unwanted messages, or monitoring them online.

In Brazoria County, we often see "cyberstalking" allegations where the conduct consists entirely of electronic communications—emails, social media tags, or text messages. Texas law treats these digital interactions with the same severity as physical following or surveillance.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Stalking Convictions in Brazoria County

The consequences of a stalking conviction in Texas are immediate and devastating. Because it is a felony, the legal system is designed to impose maximum pressure:

• Prison Time: A Third-Degree Felony carries a sentence of 2 to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
• Second-Degree Enhancement: If you have a prior stalking conviction, the charge is elevated to a Second-Degree Felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
• Fines: Up to $10,000 in criminal fines, plus court costs.
• Protective Orders: A conviction almost always results in a permanent Protective Order. Violating this order is a separate criminal offense that can lead to immediate arrest without a warrant.

The collateral consequences are equally severe. As a convicted felon, you will lose your right to possess a firearm—a right that is highly valued in Brazoria County. You may lose professional licenses, and you will be prohibited from many employment opportunities in the medical, education, and government sectors. 

Furthermore, a stalking conviction can be used against you in Family Court to terminate or severely restrict your access to your children. This is why hiring a stalking attorney in Brazoria County who offers bilingual services and a deep understanding of the local legal landscape is vital.

Understanding The Stalking Case Process

While each case is unique, most stalking allegations in Brazoria County follow a similar path. Cases often begin with a police report and investigation, followed by a prosecutor’s decision on whether to file charges and what offense to pursue under Texas law.

If charges are filed, an arrest may lead to a magistrate hearing for bond and initial conditions, such as no-contact requirements. The case then moves through the Brazoria County courthouse with arraignments, pretrial conferences, and other hearings where judges handle scheduling and legal matters.

During pretrial, attorneys review evidence like police reports, messages, and witness statements to assess the case. Clients are kept informed about court dates, options, and potential strategies, including negotiations or trial preparation. Throughout the process, the focus remains on protecting rights and positioning the case as strongly as possible.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Stalking Defense

Facing a stalking accusation requires a thorough, personalized defense. At Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, our team carefully reviews the facts, evaluates the evidence, and develops a strategy tailored to your situation. We focus on understanding the details of the allegation rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Led by Steve O. Gonzalez and Kristina King, our firm brings more than 32 years of combined criminal defense experience across Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, and Fort Bend Counties. This regional experience helps us anticipate how prosecutors and judges may approach stalking cases and prepare effective responses.

We closely examine communications, timelines, locations, and prior history to identify weaknesses and create reasonable doubt. Known for integrity and determination, we challenge the state when necessary while keeping clients informed through honest, clear communication. Our goal is dedicated representation that reflects your story, priorities, and future.

With over 32 years of experience, the Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez uses a multi-faceted defense strategy:

• Challenging the "Fear" Element: We investigate the alleged victim's behavior. If they continued to engage with you or showed no signs of actual fear in their daily life, the "reasonable person" standard may not be met.
• Exposing Motives for False Accusation: In Brazoria County, stalking charges are frequently used as "tactical" weapons in divorce or custody battles. We expose these motivations through thorough background checks and witness interviews.
• Constitutional Protections: We ensure that your First Amendment right to free speech is not being criminalized. Not every annoying or persistent communication is a felony crime.
• Bilingual Services: We offer bilingual services (Spanish/English) to ensure that language barriers do not lead to misunderstandings with law enforcement or the court.

What To Do After A Stalking Charge

What you do in the days and weeks after an arrest or investigation can make a real difference in your case. You may feel tempted to explain yourself to the accuser, post about the situation online, or try to handle it alone. Those choices can create bigger problems in Brazoria County criminal courts.

Here are practical steps to protect yourself after a stalking accusation:

• Follow all orders from the court, including bond conditions and any protective or no contact orders issued in your case.
• Avoid contacting the accuser directly or through others, even if you think a conversation would clear things up.
• Do not discuss details of your case on social media or in text messages that could later appear in the Brazoria County courthouse.
• Gather and preserve any information that might matter, such as messages, call logs, and potential witnesses, without deleting or altering anything.
• Politely decline to answer detailed questions from law enforcement until you have spoken with a criminal defense attorney.

These steps cannot guarantee a particular outcome. However, they usually help protect your rights and prevent new allegations or violations of court orders. A stalking charges lawyer in Brazoria County can explain which actions are most important in your specific situation and help you avoid common mistakes.

Talk With Our Team About Your Stalking Case

If you are facing a stalking accusation, you do not have to navigate the Brazoria County criminal courts alone. Speaking with an experienced criminal defense team can help you understand what is at stake, what your options may be, and how to start protecting your future today. Your initial conversation with us is confidential, and we will discuss how we can help you move forward.

Call (832) 900-9867 or fill out this online form to speak with our team about your stalking case.