Protecting Long-Range Interests in Criminal Defense
Reducing, dismissing or defeating current criminal charges is generally the first priority for defense counsel, but seasoned lawyers understand that people usually have other interests that need protection, too. Will an otherwise favorable plea agreement cause problems for a person's professional license? Will a misdemeanor plea today expose someone to felony charges down the line? What about the long-range needs of college or university students?
Collateral Consequences = Problems You Can Expect From a Criminal Record
Criminal defense lawyers use the phrase "collateral consequences" to describe the unfavorable fallout of an arrest or conviction that has nothing to do with the immediate risk of punishment on a given criminal offense. Instead, collateral consequences are those continuing problems that a person with a criminal record might face in licensing, employment, security clearance, family relationships or other important matters.
At the Law Office of Lane D. Thibodeaux, we tailor our defense strategies to fit the needs and circumstances of the people we represent. For example, DWI defense for a commercial truck driver will probably require a different approach from the one we'd use for a college student or a retiree, and those strategies would likely differ a lot from one another. To learn more about the ways we use our awareness of the collateral consequences of different criminal offenses to our clients' advantage, contact us in Bryan.
Whether you're a Texas A&M student, a foreign national here on a work visa, or a licensed nurse or teacher, it pays to work with an attorney who can look out for your continuing interests as well as the challenges of a criminal charge, especially for such offenses as:
- Drug crimes
- Weapons offenses
- Sex crimes
- Drunk driving
- Domestic violence
- Alcohol-related charges, especially those involving minors
- Fraud or theft offenses
Just about every criminal case requires the defendant to choose between accepting a plea offer and taking the case to trial. Our job is to make sure that you understand the practical consequences as well as the legal implications of your choices. At the same time, we'll recommend strategies that cover both the immediate and continuing demands of your situation as well as possible.
To find out how a seasoned attorney can work toward covering all the bases in developing your defense, contact the Law Office of Lane D. Thibodeaux in Bryan-College Station.
