Criminal Defense Attorney in Dallas
Experienced, Agressive Texas Criminal Law Attorney
The Law Office of Alan C. Kazdoy primarily focuses its Dallas criminal defense practice in the following areas:
DWI
Like many states, Texas has a zero tolerance law, which means that anyone under 21 who has drunk any amount of detectable alcohol is driving illegally and subject to a 180-day license suspension, and a charge of driving under the influence (DUI). Penalties for DWI differ based on whether the DWI is a repeated offense. However, all convictions carry fines, possible jail time and license suspension. More than two offenses are subject to felony DWI charges.
Drug crimes
Drug crimes refer to the illegal use, possession, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of drugs, whether illegally obtained prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Demerol or Vycodin, or street drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine. Penalties become increasingly stiffer based on the type and amount of drug as well as the activity involved with drugs. Depending on jurisdiction of the alleged drug crime, either federal or state courts may bring charges.
Sexual assault
Sexual assault covers various types of unwanted or non-consensual sexual contact that ranges from verbal or visual sexual attention such as public lewdness or indecent exposure to forcible sexual intercourse. Sexual assault is characterized by the intent for sexual gratification. Because persons who are under age do not have the legal ability to give consent for sexual acts, sexual assault of minors does not revolve around consent, but rather includes offenses such as indecency, aggravated sexual assault, and child pornography, to name a few examples.
Felonies
Felonies are serious crimes that carry heavy penalties in Texas, including a minimum of 180 days in jail with increasing severity up to life in prison or the death penalty. Some felonies are tried at the state level and others are tried in federal courts, depending on which court has jurisdiction. Examples of crimes which are felonies include the following:
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Traffic tickets
Texas traffic tickets are extremely inconvenient at best; in many cases they can be quite damaging. Getting an experienced traffic court attorney to represent you may cost a bit of money upfront but it can help you reduce the impact the ticket has on your driving record and your life in the future. Penalties of Dallas traffic tickets may include increased insurance premiums and hefty fines. If you exhibit multiple violations, you may face a lost or suspended license. In cases where driving is part of your livelihood, this means you have lost your job or ability to earn income. Securing qualified representation now means eliminating problems in the future.
Homicide
Homicide is the general term used to describe unlawful killing of an individual. There are four classifications of homicide in Texas, which include the following:
Murder
Killing with intent or killing which results during the commission of a felony.
Manslaughter
Death that occurs because of reckless behavior. Drunk driving that causes death may be charged as intoxication.
Criminally negligent homicide
Death that results from criminal negligence, such as a parental negligence in caring for a child.
Capital murder
Judgment of the death penalty for specific situations where murder occurs, such as murdering a firefighter or police officer on duty, a child under six years old or multiple murders, to name a few.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are still crimes, but are less severe than felonies and carry lesser penalties. Generally, misdemeanors are subject to fines or time in jail, with a maximum jail time of one year. Examples of misdemeanors include the following:
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Some misdemeanors may be increased to felony charges if the behavior is repeated or if it results in extreme harm. Even though not as serious as felonies, misdemeanors may damage a reputation, result in job loss and disrupt one’s personal life and the lives of other family members.
Juvenile law
In Texas, the juvenile justice system has jurisdiction over youths from the age of ten through 16. Judgments range from dismissal of the case to long-term confinement in a correctional facility. Under the Determinate Sentencing Law, a juvenile committing a serious offense may receive a sentence of up to 40 years, with confinement beginning at the Texas Youth Commission facility until the age of 21 and continued through prison thereafter. It is just as important for juveniles to have good legal counsel as it is for adults, because these cases can affect their lives later if they remain on their records.
Parole and probation
When probation or parole is violated, the court may impose severe penalties, which include a warrant for arrest and holding in jail without bail until a judge hears the case in evidentiary and revocation hearings. Committing a new offense, not reporting to a probation officer, failing to pay a fine or failing to complete community service along with a failed urinalysis test may be grounds for arrest and hearings. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer who knows how the system works can present the best case to judge.
Contact Alan Kazdoy today
There is a danger in hesitating when it comes to Texas criminal defense matters. Do not delay, or your case may suffer. Contact The Law Office of Alan C. Kazdoy today to find out how to resolve your criminal case. Call us at (214) 272-0043.
