Jefferson County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Situated in the Coastal Plain region of Southeast Texas, Jefferson County covers 1,113 square miles and is a great place to live and work. It is home to a plethora of exciting attractions including Village Creek State Park, Beaumont Botanical Gardens, the Edison Museum, and Colorado Canyon.

While Jefferson County is considered safe, crime still arises. If you have been charged with a crime in the area, consult a skilled Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer at The Law Offices of Ned Barnett as soon as possible. 

For a free and confidential case consultation with a Houston criminal defense lawyer, call us today at (713) 222-6767, or reach out online.

Common Criminal Defense Issues

At The Law Offices of Ned Barnett, we help clients with many different types of legal problems, including:

DWIs
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses are taken seriously in Jefferson County. Even if you are arrested for a DWI for the first time, you may face life-changing consequences such as fines of up to $2,000, a minimum of three days in jail, a driver’s license suspension of up to one year, and increased car insurance rates. Through a strong defense strategy, a Jefferson County DWI lawyer may be able to help you avoid these consequences.

Sex Crimes
Being accused of a sex crime can be frightening and embarrassing. Regardless of whether you’re facing charges for child pornography, sexual assault, indecent exposure, or statutory rape, The Law Offices of Ned Barnett may assist you in avoiding a conviction and the serious penalties that come from one, including:

• Mandatory registration on the sex offender list
• The loss of job or professional license
• Inability to be eligible for educational grants
• A tainted reputation

Violent Crimes
There are a number of violent crimes that a Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer can assist you in fighting, including:

• Assault – Under Texas law, assault is knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly causing or threatening bodily injury to another human being.
• Robbery – Knowingly or intentionally causing physical harm to someone in order to engage in theft is considered robbery.
• Domestic Violence – The assault of a romantic partner, former romantic partner, or family member is known as domestic violence.

Property Crimes
Property crimes like arson and vandalism may be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony. While a class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $500, a first-degree felony may lead to between five and 99 years of prison and fines reaching $10,000. To reduce your risk of being left with hefty fines and the lengthy prison sentences that typically come with property crimes, it’s essential to contact a Jefferson County property crimes lawyer.

Weapons Crimes
Although Texas has gun ownership laws that are more liberal than those of other states, it is possible for Jefferson County residents to get charged with a firearm crime. If you are facing an offense such as the unlawful carrying of a weapon, unlawful possession by a felon, unlawful transfer, or reckless discharge of a firearm, a Jefferson County firearms lawyer may be able to help you avoid a conviction with the following defenses:

• Self-defense or the defense of others
• Necessity
• The firearm is considered an antique and exempt from the laws

Underage and Student Crimes
Many students have the attitude that they can do whatever they wish without considering the consequences. If your child has been charged with an underage or student crime such as possession of alcohol, public intoxication, or possession of a fake ID, you may save their future by working with a Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer.

Juvenile Crimes
Children between the ages of 10 and 16 are considered juveniles in Jefferson County. Once a child reaches 17 years of age, they are no longer viewed as a juvenile, and will likely be charged with an adult offense.

If your child is facing a crime such as truancy, DWI, or another alcohol offense, it’s important to reach out to a Jefferson County juvenile crimes lawyer who can protect their rights and allow them to move forward with their life.

Theft and Fraud Crimes
Deceiving another party to gain profit and an untruthful advantage is known as fraud, while theft is taking something from another without their consent. Theft and fraud crimes are both serious and may lead to harsh consequences that depend on whether a crime is classified as a felony or misdemeanor.

The lowest-level misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $500. A first-degree felony, which is the highest level felony, may lead to up to 99 years of prison time and fines of up to $10,000. If you have been charged with a theft or fraud crime, it is in your best interest to reach out to a Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer at The Law Offices of Ned Barnett right away.

Drug Crimes
In Jefferson County, there are a number of illegal drugs that are frequently used to commit a crime. These drugs include marijuana, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, crystal meth, and LSD. If you are facing charges for a drug crime, a Jefferson County drug crimes lawyer can assist you in fighting to secure placement in a drug treatment program if necessary. They may challenge your arrest, the evidence used against you, or the necessary intent.

Federal Crimes
The Law Offices of Ned Barnett handles a wide range of federal crimes including bank fraud, Medicaid and Medicare fraud, mortgage fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, and more. Your crime may be charged federally if:

• Your actions violated a federal statute
• Your offense occurred on a military base, national park, or another federal property
• Federal officers were involved in your offense

If you are under investigation for a federal crime, contact a Jefferson County federal crimes lawyer who is well-versed in the federal justice system.

Call a Jefferson County Criminal Defense Lawyer for Help Today

While the minimum and maximum penalties of criminal offenses depend on the level of your offense, they are always serious. These penalties can make it a challenge for you to find and/or keep a job, continue your education, quality for financial aid, keep your professional license, have custody of your child, and be eligible to own firearms and vote.

If you’re facing charges for a criminal offense in the Jefferson County area and need legal representation, call The Law Offices of Ned Barnett today to schedule a free, initial evaluation of your case. Contact us online or call (713) 222-6767 today.