Misdemeanor Defense

Corpus Christi Misdemeanor Defense Attorney

If you are charged with a misdemeanor offense in Nueces County, a Corpus Christi misdemeanor defense attorney at Barrett Legal PLLC can fight aggressively to protect your rights and keep your record clean. 

Barrett Legal PLLC can step in immediately to challenge the state’s evidence. The defense attorneys at our law firm provide serious, straightforward representation in every case we handle and for every client we defend. We strive to secure the best possible results for our misdemeanor clients.

The earlier a Corpus Christi misdemeanor defense lawyer at Barrett Legal PLLC gets involved in your case, the more opportunities we have to challenge the prosecution’s case and seek a reduction or dismissal of the misdemeanor charge. To schedule your first legal consultation with an experienced Texas defense lawyer, call Barrett Legal PLLC at 361-542-4295.

Misdemeanor Offenses in Texas

Some people mistakenly believe that a misdemeanor is just like a traffic ticket. Under Texas law, a misdemeanor is a full criminal offense. A misdemeanor conviction can put you in jail, require you to pay a costly fine, and create a permanent record that will appear on background checks for the rest of your life. The state sorts misdemeanors into three separate categories:

  1. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious. A conviction may be penalized with up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both.
  2. A conviction for a Class B misdemeanor may be penalized with up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
  3. Class C misdemeanors are minor offenses punished by a fine of up to $500 without jail time, but a Class C misdemeanor conviction establishes a criminal record.

When you face jail time of up to a year and other lifelong consequences, retaining an experienced Corpus Christi misdemeanor defense attorney is an essential step toward protecting your future. An attorney at Barrett Legal PLLC can examine every detail of your case to prepare an effective defense strategy.

What Misdemeanor Cases Do We Handle?

The defense lawyers at Barrett Legal PLLC handle a range of misdemeanor cases in Nueces County and across the state. We understand these charges, and we know which defense strategies can defeat the state’s case against you:

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI Defense)

In Texas, a first DWI offense is normally charged as a Class B misdemeanor. A conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 72 hours in jail, or six days if a law enforcement officer discovers an open alcohol container in the vehicle. If testing measures a blood alcohol concentration level at 0.15% or higher, the charge becomes a Class A misdemeanor.

A driving while intoxicated arrest also triggers an administrative license revocation process that can suspend your driver’s license before you even enter a courtroom. Barrett Legal PLLC can represent you at the administrative hearing and handle your criminal defense as we strive to protect your driver’s license and your freedom.

Assault and Domestic Violence

Under Texas law, simple assault and assault causing an injury with no aggravating factors are usually charged as Class A misdemeanors. If the assault incident involved a family or household member or romantic partner, a conviction can include domestic violence enhancements.

A family violence finding permanently prevents you from possessing firearms under federal law and cannot be expunged from your record. A Corpus Christi misdemeanor defense lawyer can aggressively challenge witness statements, investigate fabricated claims, and negotiate to have the charge against you reduced or dismissed.

Marijuana Possession

Texas prosecutes drug crimes aggressively. Possession of two ounces or less of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor. Possessing between two ounces and four ounces is a Class A misdemeanor. We review traffic stops and search procedures to determine if the law enforcement officers violated your rights.

Theft Offenses

Theft is taking someone’s property with the intent to deprive the owner of that property. The theft of property valued between $100 and $750 is a Class B misdemeanor. A theft of property valued between $750 and $2,500 is a Class A misdemeanor. A theft conviction can severely damage your employment opportunities and credibility.

Criminal Mischief

Intentionally damaging or destroying someone else’s property is criminal mischief. If the property damage is valued from $100 to $750, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor. Damage ranging from $750 to $2,500 is a Class A misdemeanor. We frequently challenge the state’s valuation of alleged damages to reduce these charges.

The Misdemeanor Process

Misdemeanor cases in Corpus Christi are handled at the Nueces County Courthouse on Leopard Street. The process begins with your arrest and booking at local law enforcement facilities.

In some situations, an officer may issue a citation that requires you to attend a hearing rather than take you to jail. Otherwise, you must post bond or obtain a personal recognizance (PR) bond to be released. After your release, your case moves through these stages:

  1. Arraignment: You appear in front of a judge who formally reads the charge and requests a plea. You should have your attorney with you and plead not guilty. A not guilty plea gives your attorney time to investigate your case and negotiate with the prosecutor.
  2. Pretrial investigation: Barrett Legal PLLC reviews police reports, examines dashcam and bodycam video, audits toxicology results, and interviews witnesses to find flaws in the state’s case.
  3. Plea negotiations: We negotiate with a Nueces County prosecutor for a reduction or dismissal of the charge or entry into a pretrial diversion or deferred adjudication program.
  4. Trial: If the prosecutor refuses to negotiate a fair resolution of your case, Barrett Legal PLLC can present your defense to a jury of your peers and advocate for your acquittal.

Alternatives to Conviction

Nueces County courts offer alternatives to conviction that allow eligible individuals to resolve their misdemeanor cases without establishing a formal criminal record:

Pretrial Diversion

For eligible first-time offenders, Nueces County provides pretrial diversion programs. These programs impose specific conditions on the participants, such as community service, educational programs, or counseling. Upon completion of all program requirements, the criminal charges are dismissed.

Deferred Adjudication

Defendants eligible for deferred adjudication may enter a plea of guilty or no contest while the judge postpones a final verdict. Defendants are placed on community supervision for a designated time period. Upon completing community supervision, the judge dismisses the case without entering a conviction.

Take Your Misdemeanor Case to Barrett Legal PLLC

When you face a criminal prosecution, the defense lawyer you choose directly impacts the outcome of your case. You need an aggressive Texas defense attorney who treats misdemeanor cases with the serious attention they deserve.

At Barrett Legal PLLC, we have extensive defense experience in both state and federal courts. We don’t accept easy plea deals that leave a client with a criminal record when better options exist. We investigate procedural errors, challenge unlawful searches and seizures, and demand that the state meet its burden of proof.

We provide straightforward advice regarding your legal options. From initial court appearances to trial, we fight to protect your freedom, your driver’s license, and your career. A misdemeanor charge negatively impacts your daily life, but you don’t have to confront the Texas criminal justice system alone. We’re here to help.

Now or in the future, Barrett Legal PLLC can defend your rights and deliver the aggressive defense representation your misdemeanor case requires. We can fight for the best possible outcome. Call us at 361-542-4295 to learn more and schedule your first legal consultation with a Texas criminal defense attorney.