Austin Criminal Defense

Most people charged with a crime, under investigation, or facing possible indictment are not familiar with the criminal justice process in Austin & Travis county. Information about commonly asked questions and answers related to the criminal defense in Austin Texas is available by clicking the following link.

The Necessary Experience. I Can Provide It.
A criminal charge is a serious matter and requires vigorous and effective representation. The range of penalties include incarceration, forfeiture of property, office or license, penalties and fines, probation, and parole supervision. A conviction for a criminal offense also entails potentially adverse collateral consequences, such as loss of reputation, employment, or education and other opportunities. For this reason, as a criminal attorney in Austin, I provide my clients with a vigorous defense and utmost attention to any matter involving criminal consequences, whether you are in college and charged with drug possession or a professional charged with a white collar crime.

My criminal defense law firm provides a full range of criminal defense representation at every level and every stage of criminal proceedings. As your criminal attorney, I will appear at all courts where criminal matters are heard, including municipal, county and distict court. My criminal expertise includes pre-indictment negotiations, bail applications, motion practice & trial practice. I provide full and vigorous defense representation to my criminal clients at every stage of a case, including trial.

Municipal Court Offenses

As an Austin attorney, I represent clients in courts across Travis county in a wide range of criminal offenses. They include minor drug offenses, disorderly conduct, harassment, DUI, shoplifting, violations of city ordinances, and other related offenses. One of my primary goals as your criminal lawyer in representing individuals charged with a misdemeanor or felony, is to provide attention to the negative collateral effects that may result from a conviction. Absent a dismissal or acquittal on the offense, I work to ensure that any disposition of a matter in court is limited to payment of court costs and fines, and does not entail probation or jail time. Additionally, I carefully advise clients about issues relating to the possible impact of a guilty plea or conviction upon your “record” and the extent to which this may impact your employment or educational status, as well as issues related to background checks.

State Criminal Offenses

Matters heard in the District Courts of Texas in Austin involve indictable state offenses and are more serious in nature than other criminal offenses. Often – but not always – such matters include potential exposure to county or state prison. As a criminal attorney, my primary goal is to avoid such a result. At the outset, I set out to negotiate a “plea” or resolution of your case that may avoid the risks and uncertainties of trial. This is usually, but not always, possible. Where it is not possible, I readily represent my clients at trial and often with favorable results.

If you have been charged with any of these offenses, please contact the Law Offices of Hector Gonzalez III at 888-232-7313 for a free phone consultation.

Practice Areas:

Felony Defense - If you are accused of committing a felony criminal offense & live in the Austin area, I will represent you . As your felony criminal attorney, I will leave no stone unturned in developing a defense for your case. Regardless of the severity of the charge, I can help you fight for your rights and your freedom. Call and schedule a consultation with an experienced Austin felony criminal defense lawyer today. Learn More

DWI Defense - It is important to note that if arrested and accused of a DWI Second or greater offense, Texas law now requires the Court to Order, as a CONDITION OF RELEASE FROM JAIL ON BOND, that the person install and maintain a deep lung air device on the car that the person intends to drive and operate while charges are pending. The device requires a breath sample before it will allow you to start your car. They also require periodic breaths while driving to monitor and insure sobriety. New technology has made these devices "user sensitive" so that someone else cannot blow into the device for the driver. Learn More

Public Intoxication Defense - In Texas, public intoxication is a Class C misdemeanor.  In order to be arrested for public intoxication, a person will need to either be a danger to any of the people who may be around him or her or be a danger to him or herself, or cause some sort of public disturbance. If arrested for public intoxication, the guilty party is taken to jail so that they can become sober. On the following day, they will pay a fine before going home. The amount of the fine depends on exactly what the person’s drunken behavior entailed Learn More

MIP Defense - As an Austin criminal attorney, I also represent juveniles and underage college students on charges ranging from fake ID offenses to DWI felonies such as hit-and-run accidents or vehicular manslaughter. The most serious charges along this spectrum can expose you to the risk of prison. My aggressive approach to the defense of these cases can make the most of your opportunities toward a favorable outcome. Learn More

Cocaine Defense - Protection of your constitutional rights is paramount if you retain me as your Austin cocaine attorney. An arrest does not always lead to a plea of guilty or a conviction for cocaine possession. There are many steps officers must take in investigating a possible drug-related crime and arresting the suspect. Ignoring your rights — regardless of how minor — needs to be brought to the attention of the court. Learn More

Marijuana Possession - Possession of two ounces or less of marijuana is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. Possession of greater than two ounces is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $4,000. For greater than four ounces the penalty increases to 180 days - two years in jail and a fine up to $10,000. Possession of greater than five pounds is a third degree felony and carries a penalty of 2-10 years in prison.  Possession of greater than 50 pounds is a second degree felony and the penalties increase to 2-20 years in prison.  For any amount greater than 2,000 pounds the offense is a first degree felony and the penalty is 5-99 years in prison. Learn More

Steroid Possession - The number of anabolic steroid investigations and prosecutions has risen dramatically. Ten years ago, a large proportion of steroid criminal cases involved personal use possession. Many cases arose out of international mail Customs seizures. Today, federal law enforcement has effectively shifted its focus from users to dealers. Sweeping federal efforts like Operation Gear Grinder and Operation Raw Deal have resulted in the arrest and prosecution of a sizable chunk of the American steroid trafficking network. Learn More

Prescription Drugs - A currently growing problem is the non-medical use of prescription drugs such as pain killers or narcotic analgesics, Benzedrine, and muscle relaxants. Non-medical use is defined as use of prescription-type drugs that were not prescribed for the individual by a physician or the drugs were used only for the experience or feeling they caused. Prescription psychotherapeutic drugs include pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives. Pain-relievers of concern include hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Lorcet®), oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®, Percodan®, or Tylox®), and methadone, as well as a number of other drugs. Benzodiazepines of concern include clonazepam (Klonopin®), alprazolam (Xanax®, Ativan®, or lorazepam), and diazepam (Valium®). Muscle relaxants which are abused include carisoprodol (Soma®) and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril®). Learn More

Assault & Battery Defense - Assault is the threat of bodily harm that reasonably causes fear of harm in the victim. Battery is the actual physical impact on another person. If the victim has been touched in a painful, harmful, violent, or offensive way by the person committing the crime, this might be battery. If the victim has not actually been touched, but only threatened or attempted, then the crime is assault. Consider the act of spitting in someone's face. This is not painful, violent,or harmful, but it is certainly offensive and there is an impact, a touching, so this would be a battery Learn More

Family Violence - A person arrested for family violence can be held for up to 48 hours, even if the person has posted bail, if there is reason to believe that violence will continue upon release and there have been prior instances of domestic violence or a deadly weapon was used or exhibited. Learn More

Breaking and entering is the crime of entering a residence or other enclosed property without authorization and some element of force. If there is intent to commit a crime, this is burglary. Without an intent to commit a crime, breaking and entering by itself usually carries a charge of the crime of trespass. Learn More

Sexual Assault Defense - Sexual assault convictions can carry long sentences and severe consequences that go well beyond a person's release from prison. Texas now mandates a life time on the Sexual Offender Registration list for people convicted of these kinds of charges. Factoring in the social consequences and dim employment prospects, you can see why having an experienced lawyer represent you is so essential Learn More

Probation Violation Defense - As an Austin criminal attorney, I regularly defend clients accused of violating their probation. In many instances, I can negotiate with your probation officer or present evidence of extenuating circumstances that can allow you to avoid being sentenced to prison of the house of correction. As a former Assistant D.A., I am knowledgeable and experienced in seeking alternatives to prison that include community service, restitution, and alcohol and drug abuse counseling.   Learn More