Criminal Defense: An Overview

Criminal Defense Overview

Hopefully you will never need a Houston criminal defense attorney, but if you ever do, it’s important to understand the criminal charges against you, and the need for an experienced Houston criminal defense firm. Thousands of people are unfairly convicted of crimes each and every year simply because our justice system puts those charged at an immediate disadvantage. After all, you are suddenly facing experienced, government-funded prosecutors and jurors who are eager to assume your guilt. Unless you have very deep pockets or the “right” connections, you may simply be unable to mount the kind of defense your charges require. The law firm of Sullo & Sullo, LLP is full of reputable Houston criminal defense lawyers who have the necessary background and knowledge to level the playing field and work for positive results regardless of the specific circumstances of your criminal case.

Types of Criminal Law We Practice


The Houston criminal defense firm of Sullo & Sullo, LLP will provide a high quality, aggressive defense for those charged with a wide variety of criminal offenses, including, but not limited to: domestic violence, assault, DWI, DUI, theft, violent crimes, white collar crimes, fraud, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, murder, manslaughter, hit & run, child abuse, warrants, appeals, and juvenile crimes. We have over a decade of solid and successful experience in criminal law and are committed to providing an excellent defense for each and every client.


The Investigative and Arrest Phases of the Criminal Case

An investigation is usually mounted by the police when they have reason to believe you have committed a crime. During this investigative phase, law enforcement personnel typically assess the facts, conduct witness interviews, and generally collect evidence against you. When the police feel they have sufficient evidence against you, they may ask a judge to sign a warrant for your arrest. Once you have been arrested, you will be taken before a judge who may require you to post bail or who might deny you the opportunity to post bail, requiring you to remain in jail until your trial. Having an aggressive criminal defense attorney in your corner at this point in your criminal case can make the difference in whether or not you will remain incarcerated until trial.


Arraignments, Preliminary Hearings, and Possible Plea-Bargains


During your criminal arraignment, you will appear before a judge and enter your plea. You will then be required to appear at your preliminary hearing. During this hearing, the prosecutor will attempt to show there is sufficient evidence against you to proceed to trial. Having a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to represent you is of paramount importance at this time. You will need an experienced attorney who can competently argue that there is not enough evidence against you to merit proceeding to trial and that the charges against you should be dropped.

Should probable cause be established, having a Houston criminal attorney on your side may allow you to negotiate a plea bargain in which the prosecutor might reduce the charges against you, drop some of the charges against you, or advocate for a more moderate sentence in exchange for your guilty plea. Having a veteran criminal defense attorney on your side can be a huge advantage during the plea-bargain process. The attorneys of Sullo & Sullo, LLP are capable of providing that advantage.


The Trial Phase


If the prosecutor is not amenable to a plea agreement, then a trial date will be set. While many criminal defense attorneys have little experience in front of a judge and jury, our attorneys are very comfortable in the courtroom. The lawyers at Sullo & Sullo, LLP will work aggressively for the best possible outcome for your particular set of circumstances, and if your case goes to trial we have the knowledge and experience to mount a formidable defense. To protect your rights throughout the criminal process, consult the reputable Houston criminal defense attorneys at Sullo & Sullo, LLP.


Choosing a Criminal Defense Attorney


It can be overwhelming to search for a Houston criminal attorney who is best suited to the circumstances of your particular case. You are probably already emotionally devastated by the criminal charges leveled against you, and the task of finding a Houston criminal defense lawyer with the necessary talent and proficiency to fight aggressively for you may seem incredibly difficult. The truth is that not all criminal law firms are equally capable of mounting a successful defense in a powerful criminal case, and the ability and knowledge of your criminal law attorney will have a significant influence on the results of your case. The majority of those charged with a crime have never been in trouble with the law before or had any substantial dealings with the American justice system.

At Sullo & Sullo, LLP, one of our primary goals is to provide you with as much information as possible to reduce your level of fear and anxiety. We want you to feel confident in your choice of a criminal defense lawyer and believe the more knowledge and information you have the more likely this will be. Our law firm has many years of individual and combined experience in criminal law, and this experience allows us to construct a legal approach which will best suit your specific needs.

Your criminal case is of utmost importance to us; we will embark on a thorough assessment and evaluation of all evidence in order to determine if any procedural mistakes were committed which could result in a quick dismissal of the charges against you. If a police officer or other law enforcement personnel have stepped outside their legal bounds by conducting an unlawful search and seizure, we will work diligently to suppress such ill-gotten evidence. Many criminal cases have the prospect for a dismissal, a reduction in the severity of charges, or an acquittal when you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who has the opportunity and the know-how to jump into action on your behalf. If you believe you are being investigated or you have been arrested for a serious crime, we strongly urge you to contact the attorneys of Sullo & Sullo, LLP to protect your rights.


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