Weslaco Criminal Defense Lawyers

A Former State Prosecutor on Your Side

Being arrested, questioned by law enforcement, or charged with a crime can leave you uncertain about what to do next. During this stressful time, it is important to remember that you have constitutional rights. You have the right to remain silent, and you have the right to ask for an attorney.

The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. represents individuals facing criminal investigations and charges in Weslaco, Texas, and throughout Hidalgo County. Our criminal defense attorneys can stand beside you at every stage of the process—from police questioning and arrest through negotiations, court hearings, trial, and the final resolution of your case.

If law enforcement officers want to question you, an attorney from our firm can advise you about your rights and help you avoid statements that could later be used against you. We can also examine the evidence in your case to determine whether it was collected, handled, and presented in accordance with the law.

A criminal charge is not the same as a criminal conviction. You are presumed innocent unless and until the government proves your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The former state prosecutors at the Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. understand how the prosecution may build its case. We use that experience to identify weaknesses in the evidence and develop a defense strategy based on the specific facts of your situation.

Our attorneys can review the charges against you, explain the possible consequences of a conviction, evaluate any plea offer, and determine whether there are grounds to seek reduced charges, suppression of evidence, or dismissal of the case.

The consequences of a criminal conviction can be serious and long-lasting. Depending on the charge, you could face jail or prison, fines, probation, driver’s license restrictions, and damage to your reputation. A criminal record may also affect your employment opportunities, professional licenses, housing, education, immigration status, and ability to obtain certain benefits.

When your freedom and future are at stake, contact the Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. for experienced criminal defense representation serving Weslaco, Texas.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Weslaco, Texas

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

Any encounter with law enforcement can be intimidating. Police officers and investigators may use a variety of questioning techniques to obtain information or encourage a person to make statements.

You may feel that answering every question will help prove your innocence. However, even an innocent explanation can be misunderstood, taken out of context, or used to support the government’s case. Anything you say to law enforcement may potentially be used against you.

If you are arrested, charged with a crime, or approached for questioning, take the following steps to protect yourself.

Remain Calm and Do Not Resist

Remain as calm and respectful as possible. Do not argue with officers, physically resist, run away, or interfere with an arrest or investigation. Even when you believe the officers are acting improperly, resisting may create additional charges and make the situation more difficult.

You can challenge unlawful police conduct later with the assistance of an attorney.

Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

You generally do not have to answer questions about where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, or whether you were involved in an alleged crime.

Clearly and politely state:

“I am exercising my right to remain silent, and I want to speak with an attorney.”

Do not lie to officers or provide false information. After identifying yourself when legally required, it is usually safer to remain silent until you have spoken with a criminal defense lawyer.

Ask for an Attorney

If you are under arrest or being questioned about a possible crime, ask to speak with an attorney immediately. Do not assume that cooperating without legal advice will cause the matter to disappear.

An attorney can help you understand:

• Whether you are free to leave
• Whether you are being detained or arrested
• Whether you should answer any questions
• Whether police have the legal authority to conduct a search
• Whether you should provide documents, electronic devices, or other information
• What charges or penalties you may be facing

Once you request an attorney, continue to assert your right to remain silent. Do not discuss the case with officers, investigators, witnesses, other detainees, or anyone else without first receiving legal advice.

Do Not Consent to a Search

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

You may state:

“I do not consent to any searches.”

Officers may sometimes conduct a search without your permission when they have a valid warrant or another legally recognized basis. Do not physically interfere with the search. Make it clear that you do not consent, remain calm, and discuss the legality of the search with your attorney afterward.

If evidence was obtained through an unlawful search or seizure, your lawyer may be able to ask the court to suppress that evidence.

Ask Whether You Are Free to Leave

If police officers approach you but do not place you under arrest, ask:

“Am I free to leave?”

If the officer says yes, calmly leave. Do not remain and continue answering questions simply because you feel pressured or uncomfortable ending the conversation.

If the officer says no, ask whether you are being detained or arrested. Then state that you are exercising your right to remain silent and want to speak with an attorney.

Do Not Discuss Your Case on the Phone or Social Media

After an arrest, avoid discussing the facts of your case in text messages, emails, social media posts, recorded jail calls, or conversations with friends and family members. These communications may not be private and could potentially be obtained or used by prosecutors.

Speak honestly and completely with your attorney. Communications with your lawyer are generally protected by attorney-client privilege.

What Happens After Criminal Charges Are Filed?

The criminal court process can involve several stages. The exact procedure will depend on the nature of the charge, whether the case involves a misdemeanor or felony, and the circumstances of the arrest.

The process may include:

• Arrest and booking
• Bond or bail proceedings
• Initial court appearances
• Filing of formal charges
• Arraignment
• Discovery and evidence review
• Pretrial motions
• Plea negotiations
• Hearings
• Trial
• Sentencing
• Appeals or post-conviction proceedings

The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. can represent you throughout the process. We can review the evidence, explain each stage of the case, prepare you for court, negotiate with prosecutors when appropriate, and build a defense strategy designed to pursue the best available result.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney Before Accepting a Plea Deal

Prosecutors may offer a plea agreement that appears to resolve the case quickly. However, accepting a plea deal generally means giving up important rights, including the right to require the government to prove its case at trial.

A plea may also result in consequences that are not immediately obvious. Depending on the charge, a conviction or guilty plea could affect:

• Employment
• Housing
• Professional licenses
• Driver’s license privileges
• Immigration status
• Firearm rights
• Educational opportunities
• Financial aid
• Child custody proceedings
• Eligibility for government benefits

Before accepting any plea agreement, speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The attorneys at the Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. can explain the potential advantages and disadvantages of the offer and determine whether other options may be available.

Depending on the facts, an attorney may be able to pursue dismissal, reduced charges, deferred adjudication, probation, pretrial diversion, treatment, community supervision, or another alternative to incarceration. No particular outcome can be guaranteed, but every available defense and resolution should be carefully evaluated.

How a Weslaco Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

A criminal defense attorney does much more than appear with you in court. Effective representation begins with a thorough investigation and careful examination of the prosecution’s evidence.

The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. may assist by:

• Reviewing police reports, recordings, photographs, and witness statements
• Examining body-camera and dashboard-camera footage
• Investigating the circumstances of the arrest
• Determining whether officers had reasonable suspicion or probable cause
• Reviewing search warrants and arrest warrants
• Challenging unlawful searches and seizures
• Evaluating laboratory reports and forensic evidence
• Identifying inconsistencies in witness statements
• Reviewing how evidence was collected, stored, and tested
• Filing motions to suppress or exclude evidence
• Negotiating with prosecutors
• Preparing the case for trial
• Presenting defenses to a judge or jury
• Explaining the possible consequences of each legal option

Former prosecutors understand how the government evaluates cases, questions witnesses, presents evidence, and approaches plea negotiations. The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. uses that perspective to anticipate the prosecution’s strategy and prepare a strong response.

Criminal Charges We Handle in Weslaco, Texas

The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. represents clients facing a wide range of misdemeanor and felony allegations, including the following.

DWI and DUI Charges

A driving while intoxicated charge can lead to criminal penalties, driver’s license consequences, higher insurance costs, and a permanent record.

A DWI defense may involve questions about:

• The legality of the traffic stop
• Field sobriety testing
• Breath or blood testing
• Testing equipment calibration
• The handling of blood samples
• Officer observations
• Video evidence
• Whether constitutional rights were violated

Our attorneys can review the traffic stop and testing procedures to determine whether the evidence may be challenged.

Drug Possession and Controlled-Substance Charges

Drug allegations may involve possession, delivery, manufacturing, trafficking, or possession of drug paraphernalia.

Important issues may include:

• Whether the drugs actually belonged to the accused
• Whether the accused knew the substance was present
• Whether police conducted a lawful search
• Whether the substance was properly tested
• Whether officers followed the required chain-of-custody procedures
• Whether statements were obtained legally

A person should not be convicted merely because an illegal substance was found nearby. The prosecution must prove each element of the alleged offense.

Assault and Family-Violence Charges

Assault allegations can arise from arguments, fights, misunderstandings, or accusations involving family members, dating partners, roommates, or other individuals.

Possible defenses may involve:

• Self-defense
• Defense of another person
• Lack of intent
• False allegations
• Mistaken identity
• Inconsistent witness accounts
• Insufficient evidence

Family-violence accusations may also lead to protective orders, restrictions on firearm possession, and consequences in divorce or child custody matters. Prompt legal representation is important.

Sex Crime Allegations

Sex crime accusations carry severe legal and personal consequences. Even before a case reaches court, the accusation itself can damage a person’s reputation, employment, and relationships.

These cases require careful investigation of:

• Witness credibility
• Digital communications
• Social media evidence
• Medical evidence
• DNA or forensic testing
• Timelines and locations
• Prior inconsistent statements
• Consent-related issues when legally applicable

Because sex offense convictions may involve lengthy incarceration and registration requirements, anyone accused of a sex crime should seek legal representation immediately.

Theft, Burglary, and Property Crimes

Theft-related cases may involve shoplifting, burglary, robbery, stolen property, fraud, or unauthorized use of property.

The prosecution may be required to prove intent, identity, knowledge, ownership, or value. Our attorneys can evaluate surveillance video, witness identifications, receipts, electronic records, and other evidence to determine whether the government can prove the charge.

Trespassing Charges

Criminal trespass cases may depend on whether the person had notice that entry was forbidden, whether consent had previously been given, and whether the accused knowingly remained on the property without authorization.

Our attorneys can review the location, warnings, signage, witness statements, and surrounding circumstances.

White-Collar Crimes

White-collar cases may involve allegations of fraud, embezzlement, forgery, identity theft, money laundering, or misuse of business funds.

These cases frequently involve large amounts of financial and electronic evidence. A defense attorney may need to review bank records, contracts, accounting documents, emails, text messages, business records, and computer data.

Juvenile Charges

A juvenile accusation can affect a young person’s education, future employment, and opportunities. Juvenile cases require an attorney who understands both the legal process and the importance of protecting the child’s long-term future.

Possible outcomes may involve counseling, supervision, treatment programs, community service, probation, or other rehabilitative options. The appropriate defense strategy will depend on the child’s age, record, alleged conduct, and individual circumstances.

Other Misdemeanor and Felony Charges

The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. also represents clients accused of other Texas offenses, including:

• Weapons charges
• Evading arrest
• Resisting arrest
• Criminal mischief
• Probation violations
• Protective-order violations
• Harassment
• Fraud
• Organized criminal activity
• Public intoxication
• Disorderly conduct
• Felony and misdemeanor offenses

Regardless of the accusation, every person has the right to a defense and the right to require the government to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Can Evidence Be Suppressed or Charges Be Dismissed?

In some cases, evidence may have been obtained unlawfully, mishandled, contaminated, or improperly tested. Witnesses may provide inconsistent accounts, officers may fail to follow legal procedures, or prosecutors may lack sufficient evidence to prove every element of the alleged offense.

Depending on the circumstances, a defense attorney may seek to:

• Suppress evidence obtained through an unlawful search
• Exclude statements obtained in violation of constitutional rights
• Challenge an improper traffic stop
• Question unreliable witness identifications
• Dispute forensic or laboratory evidence
• Challenge the chain of custody
• Demonstrate that the prosecution cannot prove intent, possession, or identity
• Request reduced charges
• Seek dismissal when legally justified

Not every case can be dismissed, and no attorney can guarantee a particular result. However, a detailed investigation may uncover defenses or weaknesses that are not immediately apparent.

Expunctions and Orders of Nondisclosure

An arrest record can continue to appear on background checks even when charges were dismissed or the case did not result in a conviction. Under certain circumstances, Texas law may allow a person to seek an expunction or an order of nondisclosure.

An expunction may permit eligible individuals to have qualifying arrest records removed from public records. An order of nondisclosure may limit public access to certain records, although the records may remain available to specified government agencies.

Eligibility depends on several factors, including:

• The type of charge
• How the case was resolved
• Whether charges were dismissed
• Whether the person completed deferred adjudication
• The amount of time that has passed
• Whether the person has other convictions or pending charges
• Whether the offense is excluded by law

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.

We Are Here for You

Facing a criminal accusation can be frightening, but you do not have to navigate the criminal justice system alone. The Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. is committed to protecting the rights of individuals accused of crimes in Weslaco, Texas, and throughout Hidalgo County.

Our former state prosecutors understand how criminal cases are investigated and prosecuted. We can review the evidence, explain your options, challenge improper police conduct, negotiate when appropriate, and prepare your case for court.

You deserve a defense strategy that is based on the facts of your case and the law—not assumptions about your guilt.

Contact the Tijerina Law Firm, P.C. today to request a confidential case review with an experienced criminal defense attorney serving Weslaco, Texas.