Temple Criminal Attorney
A criminal conviction, even for a misdemeanor offense, can range from inconvenient to devastating in terms of its impact on your life. Penalties imposed by the court can include thousands of dollars in fines, months or years in Texas county jails or state prisons, or a long period of probation that restricts where you can go and what you can do. And those are just the punishments the state inflicts on you. Having a criminal record can be a detriment in every area of your life, including whether you can get or keep the job you want, whether you can rent the apartment of your choice or get a loan, whether you can get or keep a professional/occupational license or driver’s license, along with your right to vote or possess a firearm. A criminal conviction can seriously impact your immigration status, and it can harm your rights to child custody, not to mention your relationship with friends and family and your standing in the community.
Because there are so many negative consequences that can flow from a criminal conviction, it’s important to take any arrest seriously by getting advice and representation from an experienced Temple criminal attorney. If you’ve been arrested in Bell County or Central Texas, The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC, in Temple is here for you. We are passionate about providing the best representation to every client and getting the best result possible. Call 254-330-3214 for a free consultation and to put yourself in the best position for a positive outcome in your case.
Comprehensive Misdemeanor Representation in Temple, Texas
The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez is here for you when you’ve been arrested for a misdemeanor or felony offense in Temple, Texas or surrounding areas. Below are some of our firm’s leading areas of practice in Texas criminal defense.
DWI
Even first-time offenders can lose their driver’s license and spend time in jail if convicted of driving while intoxicated. The standards are even tougher on younger drivers or CDL holders. There are many ways the state can get it wrong when making a DWI arrest or filing charges, and there are often several defenses available to fight a DWI or get a favorable result like pretrial diversion.
Traffic Tickets
Sometimes the police make a mistake when they issue a traffic citation. It might seem like the path of least resistance just to pay the ticket and move on, but traffic fines can be ridiculously expensive, and they can make your car insurance rates skyrocket. Also, every ticket puts points on your driver’s license; rack up too many points and your license gets taken away. When it makes sense to fight a traffic ticket, The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC, is here to help.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors may be less serious than felonies, but they can still cost you $4,000 in fines and force you to spend a year of your life in jail. Also, with a misdemeanor conviction on your record, any subsequent offense could be treated more harshly. The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC, will provide you with a free consultation to discuss your case and the possible consequences and let you know whether it’s worth fighting in court or if better options are available.
Driving on a Suspended License
Your driver’s license can get suspended for lots of different reasons. Driving on a suspended license is a Class C misdemeanor that can cost you $500 the first time or $2,000 and six months in jail if you’ve done it before. If your driver’s license was suspended without your knowledge or notification, or if you have other defenses available to a charge of driving under a suspended license, The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC, will work to keep you out of trouble.
Drug Offenses
From possession of marijuana to more serious crimes, Temple criminal defense attorney Katie L. Gomez will work to get a positive result outside of court if possible or put up a strong defense in court when the evidence doesn’t support the charges.
Assault
Assault can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor or even a felony depending on the circumstances. The consequences can be severe. People charged with assault or domestic violence often have various defenses available, including misunderstandings or mistakes about the facts, lack of intent, self-defense or defense of others, and more.
Theft
Crimes like shoplifting and theft can be charged as any class of misdemeanor or any degree of felony depending on the value and nature of the item in question. If you are facing charges of theft or shoplifting, we’ll provide a strong defense or work to get a favorable outcome.
Criminal Trespass, Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct
The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC, is well-versed in defending people charged with vandalism, public intoxication, a breach of the peace or violation of someone’s property rights. Offenses like these are not minor and can severely impact your life in ways you never expected. For example, an arrest for this type of offense can affect your ability to apply for a professional license or get into college. Every criminal statute has elements that must be proven by the state, and a good criminal defense attorney can challenge the prosecution’s case and raise appropriate defenses.
Open Carry/Concealed Carry Violations
Texas’ open carry laws are fairly new, and not every gun owner may understand the limits when it comes to open carry or concealed carry in the Lone Star State. The laws seem broad but contain numerous exceptions regarding who can carry and where. If charged with a violation of Texas firearms statutes, our office will help you minimize or avoid some of the most serious penalties you could face.
Get the Help You Need With Criminal Defense in Temple, Texas
Our comprehensive criminal law practice includes defense of all the above charges and more, including alleged violations of protective orders and drug offenses. In addition, Temple criminal defense attorney Katie L. Gomez offers knowledgeable and strategic help in other related matters, including bench warrants, bond hearings, probation violations, and applications for expunction or sealing of a criminal record.
If you are facing charges or have other needs related to the criminal justice system in Bell County or Central Texas, call The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC, at 254-330-3214 for a free consultation.
