CRIMINAL:
The United States Constitution allows you certain rights - so does the Texas Constitution. These rights are intended to protect you from over-zealous governmental agencies and agents. To most of us this means the police can't just make up rules as they go along. Susan's job is to make sure the police are doing their job honestly and honorably. You probably have rights you don't even know about and these rights may already have been violated.
MISDEMEANORS:The prosecutors always toss in some extra laws they say you broke. Usually that is to encourage you to plead guilty to one and they offer to drop the others. They get an easy conviction and you get a criminal record or at least a fine and don't forget the court costs.
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA OR A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE:Did you know that if you plead guilty to the "simple" Misdemeanor of Possession of Marijuana, you will have your driver's license suspended? And you didn't have to be driving. Nothing is simple anymore and you can't just talk to the DA and hope he or she will help you.
TERRORISTIC THREATS:Homeland Security has brought about changes in many laws, meaning you have fewer rights that you had before September 11, 2001. Now, you may have a simple argument with a friend and suddenly you're charged with Harassment and something called a Terroristic Threat! Your Attorney needs to explain to you what this really is and how it will affect you. Susan can help you sift through all the extra charges brought against you and help you decide whether you really should accept a reasonable offer or go to trial.
DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED:Yeah, it's not just traffic, it's a crime. Even if it's the first time, you can't get a Deferred Adjudication. If it's the second time, life gets worse for you. The third time or more, it's a felony and you may go to prison.
DEFERRED ADJUDICATION:A deal many prosecutors want to offer you is called Deferred Adjudication. While it offers you an opportunity to "clear your record" you may not know the whole truth about Deferred Adjudication. Don't be too fast to accept it. Susan can explain to you why and when you may want to accept this plea arrangement and the reasons you may not.
EXPUNGEMENTS AND EXPUNCTIONS:Texas has very tight rules about who qualifies for an Expungement and when a person can get an Expungement or Expunction. There are very limited opportunities to receive one and many hoops to jump through; this is a time you may truly need an Attorney.