What is the first thing I should do if I’ve been arrested in Houston?

If you or someone close to you has been arrested or charged with a crime, it is imperative to consult a Houston criminal defense attorney who can assess the merits of your case. Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor, such as shoplifting or simple assault and battery, or a felony such as burglary, family violence, sex crimes, or drug offenses, or any other crime under Texas law, a criminal defense lawyer can help protect your rights.Every accused individual in the United States, including Texas has certain constitutional rights. Some of these rights include the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty; the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures; the right to remain silent; the right to a fair trial; and the right to be represented by a lawyer.

Am I entitled to a presumption of innocence even if there is evidence I committed a crime?

Every person is presumed to be innocent and cannot be convicted of a crime unless the government proves every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest standard in the legal system since a person’s freedom is at stake. Reasonable doubt must be rooted in logic and reason based on all the evidence or lack thereof presented at trial.

How can I get incriminating evidence excluded from my trial?

The right to be free from unreasonable searches means the police cannot search for evidence on your person, papers, home, and effects without a warrant based on probable cause, with certain limited exceptions. This also means that the police cannot enter your house without a valid search warrant. Under this general rule, evidence obtained without a proper search warrant may not be admissible at trial. An experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer can assess the government’s case against you and identify areas of weakness to mount a strong defense if your case goes to trial. Alternatively, if the government offers you a plea bargain, an attorney can advise you whether you should take it and the factors that affect your decision.

Houston Lawyers

Browse By Practice Areas

Find Houston Attorneys by Practice Area

Sponsored Listings

PREMIUM

Simon (Trey) Hendershot III

Lawyer Serving Houston, TX

(713) 561-5793

Houston, TX Attorney with 36 years of experience

Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Services, Avvo, Expertise.com, Best Lawyer...American Health Law Lawyers Association and Health Information and Management Systems Society

View Profile

Contact Now

View Website View Profile Call Email Lawyer Email Lawyer

PREMIUM

Robert J. Wiley

Lawyer Serving Houston, TX

(713) 337-1333

Houston, TX Attorney with 24 years of experience

Texas Superlawyers, Thomson Reuters and Super LawyersTexas State Bar and Dallas Bar Association

View Profile

Contact Now

View Website View Profile Call Email Lawyer Email Lawyer

PREMIUM

Michelle V. Friery

Lawyer Serving Houston, TX

(713) 844-3025

Houston, TX Attorney with 20 years of experience

State Bar of Texas and American Bar Association

View Profile

Contact Now

View Website View Profile Call Email Lawyer Email Lawyer

PREMIUM

Paul Danziger

Lawyer Serving Houston, TX

(800) 864-4000
Free Consultation

Houston, TX Attorney with 31 years of experience

American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, BBB, National Trial Lawyers and Houston GeneralNew York State Bar and American Association of Justice

View Profile

Free Consultation

View Website View Profile Call Email Lawyer Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII Gold

Jimmy Doan

Houston, TX Attorney

(832) 835-0000

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law - Texas Wesleyan UniversityUniversity of Texas - AustinTexasThe National Trial Lawyers and American Institute of Trial LawyersState Bar of Texas and American Bar AssociationNavigating Post-Accidental Challenges with Expert Assistance, Should You Represent Yourself in a Personal Injury Case?...

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&AResponsive Law

Mark Ryan Thiessen

Houston, TX Attorney

(713) 864-9000

South Texas College of Law and University of Hawai'i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of LawTexas Christian University and Trinity UniversityTexas, 5th Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court and ColoradoIBJJF, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers...DUIDLA, HCCLA...Over 20 Published Works - See My Website, Please and 2019’s Need-to-Know Changes to DWI Law

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII Gold

Rob Musemeche

Webster, TX Attorney

(281) 475-4145

South Texas College of LawUniversity of Texas - Austin5th Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and TexasAmerican Bar Association Appellate Advocacy Competition and American Bar Association Appellate Advocacy CompetitionGalveston County Bar Association, Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists...State Agency Enforcement of Property Tax Consultants

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII GoldResponsive Law

Kyle Robbins

Bellaire, TX Attorney

(713) 673-8957

The University of Texas School of LawOklahoma State UniversityTexasAvvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Super Lawyers, Three Best Rated...Travis County Bar Association, Estate Planning Council of Central Texas...The Challenges Surrounding Probate and Ask Your Estate Planning Attorney About A Trust

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileResponsive Law

David Minh Nguyen

Houston, TX Attorney

(281) 777-1236

Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of LawUniversity of Houston - Main CampusTexas, 5th Circuit and U.S. Supreme CourtAmerican Institute of Legal Counsel, Avvo, Attorney and Practice Magazine and AvvoFederal Bar Association and Supreme Court of the United States of AmericaTOP 10 REASONS FOR A DENIAL OF THE I-751 PETITION, TOP 10 REASONS FOR THE DELAY OR DENIAL OF A K-1 FIANCEE PETITION...

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ABlawg Search

Paul Hilmon Cannon

Houston, TX Attorney

(800) 298-0111

South Texas College Of LawUniversity of Texas - AustinTexasThompson Reuters, National Trial Lawyers, Thompson Reuters, National Trial Lawyers...Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Texas State Bar...Unique Factors in Litigating the Tanker Truck Rollover Case, Your Company Carpool Incentive Could Be Exposing You to Legal Liability...

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&AResponsive Law

Boe Lynn Bowen

Houston, TX Attorney

(713) 574-7777

Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College and Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law5th Circuit, Eastern District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, U.S. Supreme Court, Western District of Texas and TexasAVVO, American Institute Of Family Law Attorneys, American Institute Of Family Law Attorneys, Premier Lawyers Of America...Houston Trial Lawyers, Houston North West Bar Association...None

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A

Brian H. Crockett

Houston, TX Attorney

(281) 953-1180

Southern Illinois University - CarbondaleSouthern Illinois University - CarbondaleIllinois and TexasTexas Super Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers...College of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Trial Lawyers Association...Nuclear Power a Solution to Global Warming? and Reviving the Dream Act

View Website View Lawyer Profile

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII Gold

Bryan Joseph Fagan

Houston, TX Attorney

(281) 886-8109

South Texas College of LawUniversity of PhoenixU.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas and TexasAvvo, Avvo, MArtindale-Hubbell, Three Best Rated...Houston Bar Association, State Bar of Texas...Navigating Child Custody Laws in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide, Understanding Uncontested Divorce in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide...

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileLII GoldResponsive Law

Brent Mayr

Houston, TX Attorney

(713) 808-9613

South Texas College of LawSouthwestern University5th Circuit, United States District Court for the District of Columbia, United States District Court for the Southern, Western, Eastern, Northern District of Texas, United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin and TexasSuper Lawyers, Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and The National Trial LawyersNational Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association...Strategies for Defending DWI Cases in Texas

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Sponsored Listings

PREMIUM

John J. Smither

Lawyer Serving Houston, TX

(713) 844-3060

Houston, TX Attorney with 30 years of experience

Martindale-HubbellTexas Bar Foundation and Texas State Bar

View Profile

Contact Now

View Website View Profile Call Email Lawyer Email Lawyer

PREMIUM

Robert B. Goss

Lawyer Serving Houston, TX

(877) 425-4838
Free Consultation

Houston, TX Attorney with 18 years of experience

State Bar of Texas - Military and Veterans Law, Center for Veterans Advancement & NOVA, Houstonia Magazine and Knights of Columbus - Council 14700Alabama State Bar Association , State Bar of Texas...

View Profile

Free Consultation

View Website View Profile Call Email Lawyer Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer Profile

Clay Dugas

Houston, TX Attorney

(800) 222-1204

Baylor UniversityUniversity of DallasTexas and TexasSuper Lawyers®, Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, Martindale-Hubbell®, Best Lawyers...American Association for Justice, Texas Bar Association...Driver Fatique and OnStar

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII GoldResponsive Law

Jim Butler

Houston, TX Attorney

(713) 236-8744

South Texas College of LawBaylor UniversityTexasAxion Labs, DUIDLA - The DUI Defense Lawyers Association, The Trial Lawyer College and NHTSA and the International Association of Chiefs of PoliceDUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA), National College of DUI Defense (NCDD)...Using Science In DWI Trials - Using the State's Elimination Rates To Build Your Closing Argument

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII GoldResponsive Law

Herman Martinez

Houston, TX Attorney

(713) 242-1779

South Texas College of LawFlorida State UniversityTexasAvvo, Avvo, H Magazine and H Texas MagazineTexas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Texas State Bar...Clearing my criminal record... and Getting your bond reduced.

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg Search

Laura Brown

Houston, TX Attorney

(888) 269-6700

Baylor Law SchoolBaylor UniversityTexasSuper Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers...Birth Trauma Litigation Group, American Association for Justice...Proving Damages to the Jury (3rd ed. 2018) and Lost Chance of Survival

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ABlawg Search

Jose A. Ceja

Houston, TX Attorney

James E. Rogers College of Law, University of ArizonaUniversity of ArizonaTexas and ArizonaAvvo, Expertise.com, Expertise.com and Expertise.comNational College for DUI Defense, Comanche Club...Attorney Jose Ceja's Guide to Houston DWI Charges

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer Profile

Raymond Lee Panneton

Houston, TX Attorney

(713) 783-3110

Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of LawBaylor UniversityTexas and District of ColumbiaAmerican Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, H Texas Magazine, 2016, State Bar of Texas, 2016 and H Texas Magazine, 2015American Bar Association and American Bar Association Young Lawyers DivisionDoes My Business Really Need An Employee Handbook? and What Is Injunctive Relief and How Can It Help my Business?

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A

Ahson B. Wali

Houston, TX Attorney

(832) 968-8686

The University of Denver Sturm College of LawUniversity of Houston5th Circuit, Colorado and TexasSuper Lawyers, Avvo and Elite LawyerState Bar of Texas and National Association of Consumer AdvocatesWhat are your rights when stopped by the police?

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII GoldResponsive Law

Rahlita D. Thornton

Houston, TX Attorney

(713) 401-3998

Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of LawTexas Southern UniversityTexasAmerican Jurisprudence Award, American Jurisprudence Award, American Jurisprudence Award and United States Achievement AwardIota Phi Lambda, Houston Lawyers Association...Rideshare Liability: What To Do In A Car Accident

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileLII Gold

Richard D. Weaver

Houston, TX Attorney

(713) 572-4900

South Texas College Of LawBaylor UniversityU.S. District Court Southern District of Texas and TexasThomson Reuters, Thomson Reuters, Thomson Reuters and Thomson ReutersHouston Young Lawyers Foundation and American Bar AssociationCar accident preparation in Texas can reduce risk of legal issues., Car accident preparation in Texas can reduce risk of legal issues...

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer

Claimed Lawyer ProfileResponsive Law

Shawn Michael Grady

Houston, TX Attorney

(832) 692-4542

South Texas College of LawUniversity of Texas - AustinU.S. District Court, District for Colorado, United States Bankruptcy Court – Southern, Northern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas, United States District Court for the Southern, Northern, Western, and Eastern Districts of Texas and TexasAvvo, Lone Star Legal Aid, Avvo and Lawyers of ColorKorean American Bar Association of Texas, Asian American Bar Association...Wanted Dead or Alive: Desperados and Debtors

View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer