Felony Crimes

Corpus Christi Felony Defense Attorney

An arrest on a felony charge in Nueces County threatens your freedom and long-term best interests. Felonies are serious criminal offenses, and convictions carry lifetime consequences that extend far past the courtroom. If you become the target of a felony prosecution, promptly arrange to speak with a Corpus Christi felony defense attorney at Barrett Legal PLLC.

Texas prosecutors aggressively pursue the maximum penalties for convicted felony offenders. You could serve decades in a Texas state prison, pay costly fines, and lose some of your most important rights. If you’re facing a felony charge, now or in the future, retaining an experienced Corpus Christi felony defense lawyer is the most important step you can take.

Our primary objective is clear: we fight to secure a reduction or dismissal of charges, or a not guilty verdict, for our clients. If you’re charged with a felony, call Barrett Legal PLLC at 361-542-4295 to schedule a consultation, learn how the law applies to your situation, and receive the personalized legal advice you need.

Felony Classifications and Penalties

Felonies are the most serious crimes. Misdemeanors, while prosecuted aggressively, are considered less serious. The maximum period of incarceration for misdemeanor convictions is a year in a county jail, but a conviction for a serious, violent felony may qualify the offender for life in prison or the death penalty. Texas state law establishes five distinct felony categories with these penalties for convictions:

  1. State jail felonies: 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000.
  2. Third-degree felonies: 2 to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
  3. Second-degree felonies: 2 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
  4. First-degree felonies: 5 to 99 years or life and a fine of up to $10,000.
  5. Capital felonies: Life without parole or the death penalty.

Enhancements and Long-Term Consequences

Texas prosecutors routinely use prior criminal convictions to seek enhanced sentences. A defendant with two prior felony convictions, charged with a state jail felony, is subject to the penalties that apply to second-degree felony convictions.

Convicted felony offenders may be sent to a state prison hundreds of miles from their homes and loved ones. After you’ve served time and paid fines and court costs, these collateral consequences of a felony conviction follow you for life:

  1. Automatic disqualification from holding a professional license in healthcare, education, real estate, or the financial industry.
  2. A permanent federal lifetime restriction on firearm ownership.
  3. Denial of employment and housing opportunities because of background checks. 

These long-term collateral penalties for a felony conviction apply even if a court orders community supervision or probation rather than prison. When preparing your defense, a Corpus Christi felony defense attorney at Barrett Legal PLLC considers all of the immediate and long-term consequences you may face.

What Felony Cases Do We Handle?

Barrett Legal PLLC provides defense representation to felony defendants in state and federal courts throughout South Texas. The felony cases we handle include: 

Violent Offenses

Felony cases involving robbery, assault, aggravated assault, and criminal homicide frequently hinge on eyewitness credibility, disputed facts, the severity of any injuries, and self-defense claims. If you’re facing a violent felony charge, we can thoroughly review the prosecution’s case for weaknesses, flaws, and inconsistencies.

Drug Crimes

Felony drug charges are based on the type of drug involved, the quantity, and whether a defendant is accused of simple drug possession, trafficking, or manufacturing. A Corpus Christi felony defense lawyer at Barrett Legal PLLC can review traffic stops, search warrant affidavits, and laboratory testing procedures to challenge the prosecution’s case.

Property and Financial Felonies

Burglary, forgery, identity theft, and grand theft become felonies when the value of the stolen cash or property exceeds a specific threshold. These cases can involve electronic records, financial audits, and surveillance video. Barrett Legal PLLC reviews every piece of evidence to cast doubt on the state’s case against you.

Sex Crimes and Intoxication Felonies

Indecency with a child, sexual assault, and felony driving while intoxicated (DWI) entail harsh penalties for convictions, such as mandatory prison time or mandatory sex offender registration. The team at Barrett Legal PLLC can launch an immediate, independent investigation to protect your reputation, rights, and freedom.

The Nueces County Felony Court Process

A felony charge in Nueces County requires a defense attorney familiar with local court procedures and timelines. And a defense lawyer at Barrett Legal PLLC can advocate for your rights and freedom at every stage of a felony prosecution:

Arrest, Booking, and Bond

After an arrest in Nueces County, the police transfer the suspect to the Nueces County Jail for booking. A magistrate sets a bond amount and conditions that may include GPS monitoring and drug testing. Barrett Legal PLLC can fight vigorously for your release on bond or on your own recognizance.

The Grand Jury Indictment

A Texas prosecutor must present evidence of a felony to a grand jury before taking the case to trial. Grand juries meet privately. If nine of twelve grand jurors find probable cause, the grand jury issues a true bill of indictment. If they find the evidence is insufficient, they return a no bill, which terminates the case.

Pretrial Proceedings and District Court Trial

During pretrial proceedings, a defense attorney can file a motion to suppress evidence and negotiate with the prosecutor. If a prosecutor refuses to offer a fair resolution of your case or to dismiss the charge, we can go to trial and present your case to a jury.

Fight Your Felony Charge with Barrett Legal PLLC

Delaying your defense gives the police and the prosecutor a head start in building their case against you. Barrett Legal PLLC is the home of an aggressive legal team that understands Nueces County courtrooms and stands ready to contend for your rights, your future, and your freedom.

If you are charged with a felony in the Corpus Christi area, bring your case to us. Call Barrett Legal PLLC at 361-542-4295 to schedule your first meeting with an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney.