Having a criminal case against you can be very daunting. You might have no idea what you need to do and that can make things worse for you. With the panic of having a criminal charge against you, it is very normal for you to get lost in the pressure and not know what your next steps should be.
This is why it is very important for everyone to be well aware of the protocol they must follow if they face criminal charges in Austin TX. To help you, we have put together the list of events that may go down after you have been charged with a criminal offence. Followed the most important things you must do if you, unfortunately, come to face such a situation.
The Criminal Justice Process of Texas
Following is the step by step process of what happens if you are facing criminal charges in Texas. If you want any help with charges like DWI, you must contact an Austin DWI lawyer to help you out:
Arrest
The first and the foremost thing to happen is the arrest. This can be the most difficult time for an individual as it comes with a lot of stress and humiliation. However, the Texas court system does not isolate the protection of the detained.
The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that it is mandatory for detainees to be told of their rights before they are arrested. This ensures that that individual’s rights awarded by the 5th Amendment are not violated. The police will cover and arrest you by reading your right to you in the process. After the arrest, the defendant has to face an arraignment where the defendant gets formally charged with the criminal charge. The bond is also set at this time. Once the arrest is complete, there are two possibilities for the defendant, these include whether or not they get bail. It is not certain for the defendant to get bail. This is as per Article, Section 11 & 11a-b of the Texas Constitution
Indictment
Those who have been convicted of a felony must go through an indictment. The indictment includes the sitting of a grand jury so that they can come to a conclusion on whether the evidence is plenty for the defendant to be charged. For that to happen, it is important for a total of 9 out of 12 jury members to agree whether the evidence is enough and that the case should be taken forward. If the jury members happen to agree, it is called indictment also known as ‘true bill’ and if they do not agree, then that situation is called the ‘No Bill’
Plea Bargaining
The detained can opt for a plea bargain which is the most popular method that helps resolve such cases. The plea bargain includes the defendant and the negotiator negotiating the consequences without the case going to trial. This is the best option for defendants as it saves them a lot of time, worry and money.
Trial
However, if the plea bargain does not go well, the defendant will have to go to trial. The trial is done by a jury according to Article 1, Section 15 of the Texas Constitution Article. If not, the defendant can also go for a trial by a judge. The adversary system of Texas allows both sides to try and convince the deciding body as to who is right and who is wrong.
Post
This is the final step of the case where the defendant is either given a punishment or some sort of rehabilitation if they are judged to be guilty. These consequences may include prison time, house arrest and fines.
What You Must Do When You Face Criminal Charges In Austin, TX?
It is okay to worry, you are obviously stuck in a difficult situation, and it is fine for you to worry. However, you mustn’t let your worries get the best of you. The instant you find out that you have been charged with criminal charges, the first thing you must do is connect with a lawyer who can help you out in every stage of the process.
Hiring professional lawyers will give you individuals who have the experience to help you deal with your case matter how complicated it is. There is a very evident need for an Austin criminal lawyer who knows their way around the laws and the complete rights of the defendant.
In such testing times, it is only fair to have a lawyer by your side and someone whom you can trust. Many times, people are unaware of the rights they have and it is very easy for the judicial system to ignore these rights. A lawyer can help you get all your rights and ensure that you get a just ruling. Nobody likes to go to jail and if you have a trained criminal lawyer by your side, you might not have to even sniff the air of jail.
With the right counsel, you can stay out of the stress that comes with getting charged with a criminal charge. There can be many intricate details that you might not be able to figure out on your own and need a legal expert to help. It is because of misrepresentation that many people end up going to jail for the crimes they did not commit. This is why as soon as you find out that you have been charged with a criminal charge, you must get in touch with an experienced lawyer who can help you get out and get the best possible result for your case.
They are the ones to check each and every detail and ensure that there are no loopholes in your case that can be used against you when the case proceeds.
