Cases
The navigation bar above will provide you with access to information about some of the specific types of criminal cases that we defend. Also, please see a partial listing of cases we have won.
On this page, we give you a quick overview of What to Expect from Your Criminal Case.
If you or a loved one have been accused of a crime, what will happen? There are some general stages that cases can go through:
Stage: |
What generally happens: |
What a lawyer should generally do: |
Investigation |
Government agents investigate to develop evidence against a person. |
Act as a liaison between the accused and the government; try to prevent the accused from incriminating himself; collect exculpatory evidence. |
Formal charge |
Prosecutor files an indictment, a complaint, or an information with a |
Explain to the prosecutor or the grand jury why formal charges are not appropriate. Try to prevent indictment |
Bail |
Judge decides whether to set bail, and how much bail to set. |
Get reasonable bail set; assist the accused in making bail and getting released |
Pretrial proceedings |
Parties prepare for trial. |
Investigate all of the facts of the case and the applicable law. Speak to witnesses. File motions and briefs. If appropriate, try to negotiate a plea bargain agreement. |
Trial |
Parties present their case to a jury. |
Try to keep the government from proving its case, and present any evidence that might suggest that the accused is not guilty. |
Sentencing |
(If accused lost at trial) Judge (or, in Texas, the jury) decides what the punishment should be. |
Try to minimize punishment. Present any mitigating evidence. |
Appeal |
Court of appeals (three judges, generally) decide if trial judge made mistakes in trial. |
Try to win a new trial or a judgment of acquittal. |