Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Harris County is one of the most populous areas in Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1836 and named after the early settler, John Richardson Harris. Individuals of all ages can enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle in Harris County because it’s situated near a wide variety of exciting attractions including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Downtown Aquarium, Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Houston Zoo, Minute Maid Park, and Johnson Space Center.

Although Harris County is a nice place to settle down, it is still prone to criminal activity. If you have been charged with a crime in Harris County, you can count on Harris County criminal defense lawyer, Ned Barnett to protect your rights and lessen the consequences that can severely impact your life and future. His experience as a state and federal prosecutor gives him an advantage that has helped him achieve countless favorable results for his clients in Harris County.

Harris County DWI Defense Attorney

A driving while intoxicated or DWI conviction can lead to serious consequences. If you are arrested for a DWI in Texas, you may lose your driver’s license and suffer from the financial burden of court fees, fines, increased car insurance rates and Texas Department of Public Safety surcharges. You may even be faced with jail time. A Harris County criminal lawyer can look for weaknesses or inconsistencies in your DWI case to reduce or even dismiss your charges. Each of those weaknesses can become part of a strong DWI defense.

Defending Against Weapon Charges in Harris County

Many times, those convicted of a weapon offense in Harris County have committed the offense unknowingly. Texas law enables almost anyone to possess a handgun in their home or locked in their vehicle. However, when an individual carries a firearm in an unlawful place or is prohibited from carrying a weapon due to a previous felony, they may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense. A weapon crime arrest can lead to lofty fines, a permanent criminal record, jail or prison time, and the inability to possess a firearm in the future. A Houston gun crimes lawyer can challenge how the gun was found, where it was, and whether you were legally allowed to have it.

Harris County Assault and Violent Crimes Lawyer

Assault cases in Harris County range from a shoving match to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and the difference often comes down to what the other person told the responding officer. Many of these arrests happen at homes, bars, and parking lots across the county, and the accused rarely gets to tell their side before being taken into custody.

If you have been charged with assault, family violence, or another violent crime in Harris County, Ned Barnett brings the perspective of a former prosecutor to the question that decides these cases: whether the State can prove what happened beyond a reasonable doubt. Self-defense, mistaken identity, and an exaggerated account from the other side are all common.

Harris County Sex Crimes Lawyer

Public lewdness, prostitution, indecent exposure, and sexual assault are all referred to as sex crimes. If you are charged with a sex crime, you may be added to the list of registered sex offenders and damage your personal and professional reputation. Sex crimes can also result in a loss of a professional license or job, the denial to study at the college of your choosing, the confiscation of your property, or a loss of child custody. A sexual assault lawyer can help.

Harris County Drug Crimes Defense

The state of Texas takes drug crimes very seriously. Drug crimes can involve possession, distribution, trafficking, marijuana, powder and crack cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD, oxycodone, and synthetic cannabinoids. Although charges for drug crimes vary in severity and depend on the product and circumstances, even a minor conviction can appear on your criminal record for the rest of your life and hinder your future plans.

Harris County Theft Defense

Theft charges in Harris County cover shoplifting at stores across the county, employee theft from businesses, and felony-level cases involving vehicles, equipment, or large sums. The value the State assigns to the property sets the level of the charge, and that number is often disputed.

A theft conviction is a crime of moral turpitude that follows you into every background check, so even a small case is worth fighting. Ned Barnett works to challenge the value, the intent, and the way the evidence was gathered, and to find a resolution that keeps the charge off your record where possible.

Felony Charges in Harris County

Harris County handles an enormous volume of felony cases, and the system moves fast. After a felony arrest you will see a magistrate, your case will be assigned to one of the county’s criminal district courts, and a grand jury will decide whether to indict.

Felony charges carry prison exposure, loss of civil rights, and a permanent record, and the early decisions, especially what you say to police and how quickly you post bond, shape the outcome. Ned Barnett brings 30 years of experience to these cases, beginning as a prosecutor and then as a defense lawyer.

What to Expect in Harris County Criminal Court

Most Harris County criminal cases are heard at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in downtown Houston, which houses the county criminal courts at law for misdemeanors and the criminal district courts for felonies.

Your first appearance comes within 48 hours of arrest, when a magistrate reads the charge and sets bond and conditions. After you bond out, your case is set in its assigned court, and you will have a series of court settings over the following weeks and months while your lawyer reviews the evidence and negotiates with the prosecutor. Missing a setting leads to a warrant, so every date matters.

Ned Barnett has written two guides for people heading into these courts. The first explains what to expect when appearing in Harris County court: how to dress and prepare for your first appearance, how to act in the courtroom, how to find a defense lawyer, and why you must appear at your docket calls. The second explains how jury selection in Harris County works if your case goes to trial, from how the jury pool is formed to how the prosecutor and the defense question potential jurors and remove the ones they do not want.

Areas We Serve in Harris County

Ned Barnett represents people charged in Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, Katy, Spring, Cypress, Humble, and Tomball, and everywhere else in Harris County, from his office on the Gulf Freeway. He also handles cases in the surrounding counties, including as a Fort Bend County criminal defense lawyer.

Harris County Criminal Defense FAQs

How soon should I hire a lawyer after an arrest in Harris County?

Immediately, ideally before your first court setting. The magistrate hearing happens within 48 hours, bond conditions are set then, and prosecutors begin making charging decisions in the first days. A lawyer who is involved early can address bond, preserve evidence, and sometimes speak with the prosecutor before charges are finalized. Call (713) 222-6767 as soon as you are able to.

Do you offer free consultations?

Yes. Every consultation with the Law Offices of Ned Barnett is free and confidential. You can call (713) 222-6767 or use the contact form on this page, and Ned will go over the charge, the likely next steps, and what a defense would look like.

Where will my case be heard?

Most Harris County criminal cases are heard at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in downtown Houston. Misdemeanors go to the county criminal courts at law and felonies go to the criminal district courts, and your case is assigned to a specific court after charges are filed. Your paperwork and your lawyer will tell you the court number and the date of your first setting.

Can you help if I have a warrant?

Yes. If you believe there is a warrant for your arrest in Harris County, do not wait to be picked up. A lawyer can confirm the warrant, arrange for you to turn yourself in at a planned time, and work on bond before you go in. Handling it on your own terms is far better than being arrested at work or during a traffic stop.

Contact a Harris County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you are facing a criminal charge, the attorney you choose can make a difference in your education, career, driving privileges and freedom. By choosing Harris County criminal lawyer, Ned Barnett, you can rest assured that he’ll work diligently to protect your future and reduce the severity of your possible penalties.

Unlike other criminal lawyers in the area, Ned Barnett has experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, which gives him firsthand knowledge of what it takes to create the best possible defense. Contact Houston criminal lawyer Ned Barnett today at (713) 222-6767 for a free case evaluation.