A felony is the most serious category of crime and being convicted could mean facing jail time, heavy fines and penalties that will likely affect you for the rest of your life. In Texas, a felony carries a minimum of 180 days in jail and the most egregious cases can be punishable by death.
Because a felony charge can bring such severe punishments, it’s important to know what steps to take if you are ever accused of a felony. You should also contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
What happens if you are accused of a felony?
If you are arrested and accused of a felony, you will likely be kept in the police station until you can post bail. At this point, it is vital that you know your rights.
Listed below are some of the steps to follow if you are accused of a felony:
- Remain silent. When in custody, do not answer any questions until your lawyer is present. Politely decline to answer questions in order to avoid incriminating yourself.
- Do not post bail without first speaking to an attorney. It’s understandable to want to be bailed out of jail as quickly as possible but being bailed out before speaking with an attorney is a bad idea for a number of reasons. One reason is that a criminal defense lawyer can look over the facts of your case and determine if the bail will be lowered or dropped altogether at your arraignment. Also, when you hire an attorney the bondsman fee of 10% is dropped to 8%, which could potentially save you a lot of money.
- Know your charges. Different crimes carry different punishments, so it is important you know the specific felony charges you are facing. The police are obligated to disclose this information.
- Contact an attorney. If you’re accused of a felony, it’s important to hire a criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible.
- Be honest with your lawyer. Having accurate information is the only way your lawyer can properly prepare to defend your case. Also, all of the information you share with your lawyer is confidential, so there is no reason to lie.
- Attend all court proceedings. In a felony case, you must attend all court proceedings. Make a calendar of the important dates and don’t fail to appear in court.
Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Kingwood, TX
If you or a loved one has been accused of a felony, you need a Texas criminal defense attorney on your side. Andrew Williams focuses exclusively on criminal law and has over 20 years of experience. He understands how to protect your rights and navigate the criminal justice system in Texas.
Give the Law Offices of Andrew Williams a call today at 281-358-9111 to schedule an appointment or contact us online.
We are available to talk 24 hours a day.
