Brownsville Criminal Defense Lawyer

Former Texas Prosecutor Turned Criminal Attorney in Brownsville and San Benito, TX

Facing a criminal accusation or formal criminal charge can be one of the most frightening and intimidating events in your life. There are both criminal penalties and social penalties stemming from this situation, such as a blow to your reputation or damage to your personal and professional relationships. The charges may affect your job, finances, or your family, leaving you wondering how to put your life back together.

Helping Clients Maintain Their Innocence

Turn to Gustavo D. Elizondo, III Attorney at Law, where you can work with a former Cameron County prosecutor with trial experience. Our Brownsville criminal defense attorney has tried dozens of successful cases, from traffic tickets to first-degree felonies. The grandson of the first Mexican-American judge, Attorney Elizondo is part of a well-respected legal family with deep roots in the Brownsville area.

Get a free, initial consultation by calling our Brownsville criminal defense lawyer (956) 275-9191. Spanish-English bilingual service. 

Criminal Charges We Handle in Brownsville

Our criminal attorney handles all types of criminal cases, including:

Penalties in such cases may range from a few days in jail up to extended prison sentences, hefty fines, lengthy probation, and other court-ordered penalties particular to the offense, such as loss of your driver’s license, restitution to victims, restraining orders, and more.

Our team uses resources and insights developed through years of advocacy in local courts to focus your defense on the most important aspects of your case. This level of attention allows our criminal law attorney in Brownsville to adapt to the specific strategies, ensuring that your defense plan is always relevant and thorough.

Penalties of a Texas Criminal Conviction

A conviction for a crime in Texas carries immediate and severe penalties, but the collateral consequences are often the most destructive to a client's future. We ensure clients understand the full weight of what they are facing.

Texas criminal punishments are classified by degree, and penalties can include:

• Capital Felony: Death or life imprisonment without parole; no maximum fine.
• First-Degree Felony: 5 to 99 years, or life in prison; up to $10,000 fine.
• State Jail Felony: 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility; up to $10,000 fine.
• Class A Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail; up to $4,000 fine.
• Class C Misdemeanor: Fine only; up to $500.

A criminal conviction affects far more than jail time, creating lasting consequences that a skilled Brownsville criminal defense lawyer works to reduce or avoid. Non-citizens may face detention or deportation, licensed professionals risk losing their credentials, and those with felony records often encounter barriers to employment, education, housing, and federal aid. Convictions can also result in the loss of firearm rights and, in some cases, voting restrictions.

Building a Strong Criminal Defense in Brownsville

A criminal defense attorney's job is to provide legal assistance, legal advice, and defense in court for their client to the fullest extent of the law. Once you contact a Brownsville criminal defense attorney, they will research the circumstances of your case, conduct their own investigation into the criminal charges, and attempt to negotiate a deal with the prosecution or go to trial if necessary. Defense attorneys may try to negotiate lower bail, reduced charges, or reduced sentencing.

We often leverage specific Texas defenses, including:

• Affirmative Defenses: These defenses acknowledge that the action took place but assert a justification that excuses the conduct.
• Mistake of Fact: Arguing that a reasonable mistake about a factual matter negated the specific intent required to commit the crime (e.g., you believed you had permission to take property).
• Challenging Legal Procedure: We excel at identifying technical and procedural mistakes made by law enforcement, from errors in search warrants to delays in presenting you before a magistrate (a "Gerstein" challenge).

During the course of investigating your case, a criminal attorney will question witnesses, review the actions and conduct of any law enforcement officers, analyze the prosecutor's case and evidence, and represent the defendant in court. Having the right Brownsville criminal defense lawyer, who understands criminal law, on your side is imperative when faced with a criminal offense.

Understanding Your Rights in the Criminal Justice Process in Texas

No matter the nature of your charges, knowing your legal rights at each stage of the criminal process is vital. From the moment you are questioned by police in Brownsville to your first court appearance at the Cameron County Courthouse, you are guaranteed certain protections under the law.

Several important rights and steps should be kept in mind as your case moves forward:

• The right to remain silent means you do not need to answer questions from law enforcement without your attorney present.
• The right to legal representation ensures you have support from an attorney throughout legal proceedings.
• The right to a fair trial protects you from unjust treatment and allows your defense attorney to challenge evidence brought against you.
• The right to confront witnesses means you can question anyone who testifies against you in court.
• The right to bail may allow you to be released from county jail pending your trial, depending on the specifics of your case.

Why You Need Our Defense Attorney's Services

Having an aggressive and tenacious legal defender in your corner is your first line of attack. Our criminal attorney in Brownsville, Gustavo D. Elizondo III, will take steps to thoroughly investigate the accusations against you. We may be able to uncover errors and other questionable tactics taken by law enforcement, find evidence favorable to you, and work to get the charges dropped or reduced or to get sentencing reduced.

When you choose our defense attorney in Brownsville, you gain support from a team that understands how local law enforcement and prosecutors build their cases. We take the time to answer your questions about arraignment, court dates, and trial procedures, so you know what to expect as your case moves through the Brownsville Municipal Court or Cameron County District Courts.

Here are some core benefits of working with our defense attorney in Brownsville:

• Personalized investigation of your case, ensuring all facts are independently reviewed and new evidence explored.
• Local legal knowledge that helps us navigate the specific procedures of courts in Brownsville and Cameron County.
• Clear communication with clients, so you always know your legal options and what steps come next.
• Guidance through court appearances and hearings, supporting you at every stage in the process.

Don't Face Your Charges Without Our Brownsville Criminal Attorney—Contact Us Now!

You may have been wrongfully accused, unfamiliar with the Texas criminal justice system before, unable to speak English, or subject to aggressive and harsh treatment by law enforcement or the state's prosecutor. Whatever your situation, you can depend on our Brownsville criminal defense attorney to work tenaciously to help resolve your case as rapidly and favorably as can be expected.

When working with a defense lawyer in Brownsville, you can expect these client-focused advantages:

• Dedicated attention to your unique circumstances and concerns.
• Regular updates on your case status and proactive answers to your questions.
• Assistance in coordinating with local courts, including the Brownsville federal courthouse and Cameron County District Courts.
• Support in dealing with local jail or detention staff to ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.

Contact our Brownsville criminal defense attorney online or call (956) 275-9191 to get competent and personalized legal assistance today.