Fort Bend Criminal Defense Attorneys

A DWI charge in Fort Bend County is prosecuted seriously, even for a first offense. Under Texas Penal Code §49.04, a first DWI is a Class B misdemeanor carrying three to 180 days in county jail, a fine up to $2,000, and a driver’s license suspension. If your blood alcohol concentration was measured at .15 or higher, the charge elevates to a Class A misdemeanor with a potential of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

A third DWI conviction becomes a third-degree felony under §49.09, carrying two to ten years in state prison. DWI with a child passenger under the age of 15 is a state jail felony regardless of prior history. Our approach begins before your first court date: we examine the legality of the traffic stop, challenge the administration and accuracy of field sobriety tests, scrutinize breath and blood testing procedures for chain-of-custody issues, and identify any rising BAC arguments that could undermine the prosecution’s evidence.

Mike Hanson’s prosecutorial background gives him an intimate understanding of how Fort Bend County DWI cases are assembled and presented, which means he knows exactly how to take them apart. Whether we fight for a dismissal, a reduction to a lesser charge, or an acquittal at trial, we work to protect your license, your freedom, and your future.

Texas drug laws among the most severe in the country, and Fort Bend County prosecutors enforce them aggressively. Whether you face a marijuana possession charge under Texas Health & Safety Code §481.121 or a penalty group 1 controlled substance case involving methamphetamine, cocaine, or heroin, the potential consequences range from jail time on a misdemeanor up to life imprisonment for large-scale possession or delivery of the most dangerous substances.

The most powerful defenses in drug cases often center on Fourth Amendment violations. If law enforcement searched your vehicle, home, or person without a valid warrant or a recognized exception, the evidence they collected may be suppressible, and a case built entirely on that evidence can collapse entirely. We also challenge lab testing procedures, question whether the substance was properly identified, and scrutinize chain-of-custody documentation for errors that the prosecution cannot explain away.

For distribution and manufacturing charges under §481.112, penalties escalate significantly, and school zone enhancements under §481.154 can double the punishment range. We have successfully defended clients facing every level of drug charge in Fort Bend County, including the case where Mike Hanson secured a complete dismissal of a third-degree felony methamphetamine possession charge after challenging the government’s evidence.

Assault charges in Fort Bend County range from a Class C misdemeanor at the lowest level to first-degree felony aggravated assault, depending on the circumstances. Under Texas Penal Code §22.02, an assault involving a deadly weapon or serious bodily injury becomes a second-degree felony carrying two to twenty years in prison; first-degree felony charges apply when the alleged victim is a public servant, family member, or protected witness. Domestic violence cases under §22.01(b) carry enhanced penalties on a second conviction, escalating to a third-degree felony.

These cases are often driven by one-sided accounts, emotionally charged accusations, and evidence that has not been carefully examined. Our team investigates independently: we review medical records, obtain surveillance footage, interview witnesses the police ignored, and look for inconsistencies in the complaining witness’s account. In domestic cases, we also address the protective order process and ensure your rights are protected from the moment charges are filed.

Self-defense and defense of others are legitimate legal defenses under Texas law, and we are not shy about raising them. When the facts support it, we pursue dismissals through the DA’s office directly. When they do not, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial, because that posture alone often creates the leverage needed for a favorable outcome.

Sexual assault allegations carry devastating consequences that extend far beyond potential prison time. A conviction for sexual assault under Texas Penal Code §22.011 is a second-degree felony carrying two to twenty years, while aggravated sexual assault under §22.021 is a first-degree felony with a range of five to ninety-nine years or life. A conviction also triggers mandatory sex offender registration under Chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a consequence that follows you for decades or for life.

We understand the urgency and the sensitivity of these cases. When you contact us, we immediately take steps to preserve evidence, secure your communications, and begin our own independent investigation before the prosecution’s narrative hardens. Many sexual assault cases hinge on credibility, specifically the complaining witness’s account versus the accused’s, and we rigorously examine prior inconsistent statements, the relationship between the parties, digital communications, and forensic evidence that may contradict the allegations.

Cases involving allegations against children under Texas Penal Code §21.11 (indecency with a child) require particular care and experience. These charges carry severe penalties and lifetime registration requirements. Our attorneys approach every sex crime defense with absolute confidentiality, without judgment, and with the sole objective of achieving the best possible outcome for our client.

Murder charges in Fort Bend County are among the most serious cases in the Texas criminal justice system. A murder conviction under Texas Penal Code §19.02 carries a second-degree felony range of two to twenty years, though most murder prosecutions proceed as first-degree felonies with a range of five to ninety-nine years or life. Capital murder under §19.05, which covers killings involving law enforcement officers, children, multiple victims, or murders committed during other felonies, is punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole.

Defending murder charges requires a complete and aggressive case evaluation from day one. We examine the cause of death, retain independent forensic experts when needed, challenge eyewitness identification, investigate alibi evidence, and evaluate self-defense or defense-of-others arguments under Texas law. The government bears the burden of proving every element beyond a reasonable doubt, and we hold them to that standard rigorously.

Other serious violent felonies, including aggravated robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping, also demand this level of attention. Our attorneys have handled the full spectrum of violent crime cases in Fort Bend and surrounding counties, and we bring that experience to bear immediately when a client’s freedom and future are at stake.

Theft charges in Texas are defined by the value of property allegedly taken. Under Texas Penal Code §51.05, theft under $100 is a Class C misdemeanor, while theft of $2,500 to $50,000 is a state jail felony carrying 180 days to two years. Prior theft convictions can enhance penalties under §12.45, making even a minor-seeming charge a serious matter when you have prior history. We challenge the valuation of property, question whether intent to deprive was present, and scrutinize every element the prosecution must prove.

White collar crimes, including fraud under §52.52, embezzlement, money laundering under §54.02, and identity theft, frequently involve federal charges in addition to state prosecution. Federal criminal penalties are generally harsher and federal prosecutors have greater investigative resources at their disposal. Our team has experience defending complex financial crimes at both the state and federal level, including cases involving digital evidence, forensic accounting, and multi-jurisdictional investigations.

If you are under investigation for a white collar offense, even if you have not yet been charged, contact us immediately. Early intervention before charges are filed can be the single most important step you take, allowing us to engage with investigators, shape the narrative, and potentially prevent prosecution altogether.

The Texas juvenile justice system handles defendants between the ages of ten and sixteen under Title 5 of the Texas Family Code, with a stated emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment. Fort Bend County’s juvenile probation department and juvenile court have broad discretion in how they handle cases, and early intervention by an experienced defense attorney can make an enormous difference in whether a young person avoids a formal record entirely or faces long-term consequences.

Diversion programs, deferred prosecution agreements, and informal adjustments are all tools available in juvenile court that simply do not exist in the adult system. We work aggressively to access these alternatives and keep young clients out of formal adjudication whenever possible. A juvenile adjudication, while not technically a criminal conviction, can still affect college admissions, military service eligibility, and future employment. These are consequences a teenager cannot fully appreciate but that we fight to prevent.

When a juvenile is accused of a serious felony, the State may seek to transfer the case to adult criminal court under Texas Family Code §54.02. These discretionary transfer hearings are high-stakes proceedings where the entire trajectory of a young person’s life may be determined. We appear at these hearings prepared to argue against transfer and present every relevant factor, including the child’s history, mental health, family support, and prospects for rehabilitation, to persuade the court to keep the case in juvenile court.

Texas law provides two primary pathways to clearing a criminal record. Expunction under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure is the most powerful remedy: it results in the complete physical destruction of all records related to an arrest and prosecution, as if the event never occurred. Eligibility generally requires that the case was dismissed, resulted in an acquittal, or ended in a pardon. Certain arrests where the statute of limitations has expired without prosecution may also qualify.

Nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411 is available to individuals who successfully completed deferred adjudication community supervision for eligible offenses. A nondisclosure order seals your records from public access, so private employers, landlords, and the general public cannot see the arrest, though law enforcement and certain licensing agencies retain access. Waiting periods for nondisclosure range from immediate eligibility to five years depending on the offense type.

Not every offense qualifies for either remedy. Family violence cases, most sex offenses, and certain other crimes are excluded from eligibility. We evaluate your specific history, identify whether you qualify now or may qualify in the future, and handle the entire petition process from filing through final court order. Clearing your record can open doors that have been closed since your arrest, including employment opportunities, housing applications, and professional licensing, and it is often more attainable than people assume.

The single most important thing you can do after an arrest is exercise your right to remain silent. Do not answer questions from law enforcement beyond providing your name, and do not consent to any search of your person, vehicle, or home. Politely but clearly invoke your right to an attorney and stop speaking until one is present.

Once you have access to a phone, contact a Fort Bend criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The hours immediately following an arrest are often the most consequential: bail is set, evidence is gathered, and statements are taken, all before most people ever think to call a lawyer. Write down everything you remember about the arrest, the officers involved, and the circumstances while the details are fresh. Collect the names of any witnesses who may have seen what happened. Do not discuss the facts of your case with family, friends, or other inmates, because those conversations are not protected by attorney-client privilege and can be used against you.

Your initial appearance, sometimes called a magistration, typically occurs within 48 hours of arrest. A magistrate will inform you of the charges, advise you of your rights, and set bail. At arraignment, you will formally enter a plea. We almost universally advise clients to plead not guilty at this stage to preserve every available defense option and allow sufficient time to review the evidence.

Following arraignment, your case moves through a series of pre-trial hearings where we address motions to suppress evidence, conduct discovery, and engage in plea negotiations with the prosecutor’s office. If no resolution is reached, the case proceeds to trial before a judge or jury. The timeline for resolution varies widely; some misdemeanors can be resolved in a matter of weeks, while complex felonies may take six months to over a year from arrest to final disposition.

Yes. Many criminal cases in Fort Bend County are resolved through charge reductions or outright dismissals. The likelihood depends on the specific facts of your case, the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, the charge involved, and your prior record. Our attorneys identify weaknesses in the government’s case from the beginning: Fourth Amendment violations that render evidence inadmissible, procedural errors that undermine the prosecution’s timeline, witness credibility issues, and insufficient evidence to prove the required elements beyond a reasonable doubt.

Constitutional violations are among the most powerful tools available in criminal defense. If law enforcement obtained evidence through an unlawful search or seizure, a successful suppression motion can remove that evidence from the case, and when the prosecution’s case rests on suppressed evidence, dismissal often follows. We also pursue deferred adjudication and diversion programs for eligible clients, which can result in charges being dismissed upon successful completion of a supervised period.

Attorney fees for criminal defense vary based on the complexity of the case, the specific charges involved, whether the case is likely to go to trial, and other factors unique to your situation. A straightforward misdemeanor handled through plea negotiation will cost less than a multi-count felony proceeding toward trial. We believe strongly that every client deserves to understand the costs involved before making any decisions about representation.

During your free initial consultation with a Fort Bend criminal defense attorney, we discuss fees transparently based on the specifics of your case. We also work to accommodate different financial situations, including payment arrangements in appropriate cases. What we can tell you with certainty is that the cost of not having experienced legal representation, including the risk of a conviction, a prison sentence, and a permanent record, will almost always exceed the cost of quality defense.

Case timelines in Fort Bend County vary substantially depending on the type and complexity of the charges, the volume of evidence, whether expert witnesses are required, and the court’s docket. A Class A or B misdemeanor may be resolved in as little as a few weeks if the facts favor an early negotiated outcome. A felony case, particularly one heading toward trial, can take six months to two years or longer from arrest to final resolution.

Our attorneys keep you informed throughout every stage of the process. We do not let cases linger unnecessarily, but we also do not rush toward resolutions that don’t serve your interests. Speed is only valuable when it produces the right outcome. We work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while making sure every avenue of defense has been thoroughly explored.