San Juan Criminal Defense Lawyers

A Former State Prosecutor on Your Side

Being arrested, questioned by police, or charged with a crime can be frightening and overwhelming. You may be unsure about what to say, whom to trust, or what steps you should take next. One of the most important things to remember is that you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney.

The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. represents individuals in Alamo, Texas, and throughout Hidalgo County who are facing police investigations, misdemeanor charges, felony accusations, and other criminal matters. Our criminal defense lawyers can stand beside you throughout every stage of the process, from the initial investigation and arrest through negotiations, hearings, trial, and the final resolution of your case.

If law enforcement officers want to question you, an attorney from the Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. can advise you about your rights and help protect you from making statements that could later be used against you. We can also examine the evidence in your case to determine whether it was lawfully obtained, properly handled, and sufficient to support the charges against you.

A criminal charge is not the same as a criminal conviction. You are presumed innocent unless and until the prosecution proves its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The attorneys at the Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. include former state prosecutors who understand how the government investigates, prepares, and prosecutes criminal cases. We use that experience to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and pursue the most favorable resolution available under the circumstances.

Depending on the facts, this may include seeking a dismissal, negotiating reduced charges, challenging improperly obtained evidence, pursuing alternatives to incarceration, or preparing the case for trial.

The consequences of a criminal conviction can be serious and long-lasting. In addition to jail, probation, fines, court costs, or the loss of driving privileges, a conviction may affect your employment, housing, professional licenses, educational opportunities, immigration status, and reputation. When so much is at stake, you need an experienced Alamo criminal defense lawyer who will take your case seriously.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Alamo, Texas

What Should You Do If You Are Arrested or Questioned by Police?

Any encounter with law enforcement can be stressful. Police officers and investigators may use a variety of questioning techniques to obtain information or a confession. They may tell you that cooperating will make the situation easier, that they only want to hear your side of the story, or that speaking with them is your opportunity to prove your innocence.

Even when you are innocent, speaking without an attorney can create unnecessary risks. Anything you say may be misunderstood, taken out of context, contradicted by other evidence, or used against you in court.

If you are arrested, detained, or questioned by police in Alamo, remember the following:

Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

You generally have the right to refuse to answer questions that could incriminate you. Clearly and politely state that you are exercising your right to remain silent. Do not argue with officers, resist arrest, or attempt to explain your way out of the situation.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be required to provide identifying information such as your name. Beyond basic identifying information, avoid discussing the alleged offense until you have spoken with a criminal defense attorney.

Ask for an Attorney

Clearly state that you want to speak with a lawyer. Do not assume that simply remaining quiet is enough. Tell the officers directly that you are invoking your right to remain silent and requesting an attorney.

Once you have requested legal counsel, continue to remain silent. Do not discuss the case with officers, investigators, other detainees, friends, or family members. Statements made in jail phone calls or conversations may be recorded and used as evidence.

Do Not Consent to a Search

Police may ask for permission to search your vehicle, home, phone, belongings, or other property. You have the right to refuse consent to a search.

Officers may sometimes conduct a search without your permission when they have a valid warrant or another legally recognized justification. However, voluntarily consenting to a search may make it more difficult to challenge the search later. Politely state that you do not consent, but do not physically interfere with law enforcement.

Ask Whether You Are Free to Leave

If you have not been arrested, ask the officer whether you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly leave without answering additional questions. If you are told that you are not free to leave, remain calm, exercise your right to remain silent, and request an attorney.

Contact an Alamo Criminal Defense Attorney

The sooner an attorney becomes involved, the sooner steps can be taken to protect your rights, preserve evidence, contact witnesses, and communicate with law enforcement on your behalf.

The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. represents individuals in Alamo and surrounding communities from the earliest stages of a criminal investigation through the disposition of the case.

Why You Should Speak with a Lawyer Before Accepting a Plea Deal

Many criminal cases are resolved through plea negotiations rather than a trial. However, accepting a plea agreement can have serious consequences. A prosecutor’s offer may involve jail, probation, fines, community service, treatment programs, license suspension, or a permanent criminal record.

Before pleading guilty or no contest, you should understand:

• The exact charges against you
• The evidence the prosecution claims to have
• The possible penalties
• The defenses available in your case
• Whether evidence can be challenged or suppressed
• Whether the charges could be reduced or dismissed
• Whether diversion, deferred adjudication, or another alternative may be available
• The possible effects on employment, housing, immigration, licensing, and other areas of your life

The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. can review the plea offer, explain its benefits and consequences, and help you determine whether accepting the agreement is in your best interests.

In some cases, further investigation may reveal that evidence was improperly obtained, witnesses are unreliable, testing procedures were flawed, or the prosecution cannot prove every element of the alleged offense. These issues may create opportunities to challenge the charges or negotiate a more favorable outcome.

How an Alamo Criminal Defense Law Firm Can Help

A criminal defense lawyer does much more than appear in court. The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. can carefully examine every aspect of your case and develop a defense strategy based on the facts, the evidence, and the applicable Texas law.

Our legal team may:

• Investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest
• Review police reports, witness statements, photographs, and video
• Examine body-camera, dash-camera, and surveillance footage
• Challenge unlawful stops, searches, seizures, or interrogations
• Review laboratory testing and chain-of-custody records
• Identify inconsistencies in witness testimony
• Determine whether your constitutional rights were violated
• Negotiate with prosecutors
• Seek reduced charges or dismissal when supported by the evidence
• Explore diversion, treatment, probation, or deferred adjudication
• Prepare the case for hearings or trial
• Explain each stage of the criminal court process

Police officers and prosecutors must follow constitutional and procedural requirements when investigating and prosecuting a case. When these rules are violated, a defense attorney may be able to challenge the admissibility of evidence or raise other issues that affect the prosecution’s case.

Criminal Charges We Handle in Alamo, Texas

The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. assists clients facing a broad range of misdemeanor and felony allegations, including:

DWI and DUI Charges

A DWI charge can result in jail, fines, probation, driver’s license suspension, increased insurance costs, and other consequences. We can review the traffic stop, field sobriety testing, breath or blood testing, officer observations, and whether law enforcement followed proper procedures.

Drug Possession and Controlled Substance Charges

Drug cases may involve questions about unlawful searches, constructive possession, laboratory testing, confidential informants, and whether the prosecution can connect the accused person to the alleged substance.

Assault and Family Violence Charges

Assault allegations can arise from arguments, misunderstandings, conflicting witness statements, or claims of domestic violence. A conviction or family-violence finding may affect employment, firearm rights, housing, protective-order proceedings, and family-law matters.

Sex Crime Allegations

Sex crime accusations carry severe legal and personal consequences. These cases require careful handling, discretion, and a thorough investigation of the evidence, witness statements, electronic communications, forensic findings, and possible motives for false or misleading allegations.

Theft, Shoplifting, Burglary, and Robbery

Property crime charges can range from misdemeanor theft to serious felony allegations. The value of the property, the circumstances of the alleged offense, and the defendant’s prior record may all affect the possible penalties.

Trespassing and Property Offenses

Criminal trespass cases may involve questions about notice, ownership, permission, intent, and whether the accused person knew entry was prohibited.

White-Collar Crime

Fraud, embezzlement, forgery, identity theft, and other financial crime cases often involve extensive records and complicated evidence. Our firm can review the financial documents and allegations to determine whether the prosecution can prove criminal intent.

Juvenile Charges

Juvenile cases require an approach that protects the child’s future while addressing the allegations. We assist families in understanding the juvenile justice process and the options that may be available.

Other Misdemeanor and Felony Charges

We also represent clients facing other state criminal charges in Alamo and throughout Hidalgo County. Regardless of the accusation, every person has constitutional rights and deserves a meaningful defense.

Alternatives to Jail May Be Available

A criminal charge does not always result in incarceration. Depending on the offense, the defendant’s background, prior criminal history, and the facts of the case, alternatives may include:

• Pretrial diversion
• Deferred adjudication
• Probation or community supervision
• Drug or alcohol treatment
• Counseling or educational programs
• Community service
• Restitution
• Reduced charges
• Dismissal after completing certain requirements

No particular result can be guaranteed. However, an experienced defense lawyer can identify the available options and advocate for a resolution that limits the damage to your freedom, record, and future.

Expunctions and Orders of Nondisclosure

An arrest record may continue to appear on background checks even when the charge was dismissed or never resulted in a conviction. Under certain circumstances, Texas law may allow a person to seek an expunction or an order of nondisclosure.

Expunction

An expunction may allow qualifying arrest and court records to be destroyed or removed from public access. Eligibility depends on several factors, including the type of charge, how the case was resolved, and whether the applicable waiting period has passed.

Order of Nondisclosure

An order of nondisclosure may restrict public access to certain criminal records following deferred adjudication or another qualifying case resolution. The record may remain accessible to designated government agencies, but it may no longer appear in many ordinary public background searches.

The attorneys at the Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. can review your criminal history and determine whether you may qualify for an expunction or order of nondisclosure. If you are eligible, we can guide you through the process of seeking to clear or restrict access to your record.

We Are Here for You

You deserve committed and knowledgeable representation when your freedom, reputation, and future are at risk. The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. represents individuals in Alamo, Texas, and throughout Hidalgo County who are facing criminal investigations, arrests, misdemeanor charges, and felony accusations.

Our attorneys will listen to your concerns, explain your rights, review the evidence, and help you understand the possible paths forward. Whether your case can be resolved through dismissal, negotiation, an alternative program, or trial, we will work to pursue the best outcome available under the law.

Do not speak with police, accept a plea agreement, or make important decisions about your case without first understanding your rights. Contact the Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. today to schedule a confidential criminal defense case review.