What to Do if You Are Facing Carjacking Charges in Texas

 Posted on January 04, 2024 in Criminal Defense

Being arrested for an alleged carjacking can be scary and overwhelming. However, there are important steps to take immediately if you face criminal charges like robbery or theft of a motor vehicle in Texas. Working quickly with a Texas criminal defense attorney to respond to accusations and build an effective legal defense for your case is crucial.

Get Legal Help Immediately

If questioned by police about an alleged carjacking, politely decline to answer questions or make any statements until you have legal representation. Anything you say can be used against you, so it is best to exercise your right to remain silent. Once charged with a crime, get in touch with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer understands the complex carjacking laws and defense strategies that apply to your case. They can advise you on the following steps to protect your rights.

Post or Request Bail

After an arrest, police will take you to jail to be photographed, fingerprinted, and booked. At your first court appearance, the judge decides whether to release you from jail before trial based on bail arguments from lawyers. Since carjacking charges can mean steep bail, your attorney may request reduction or post bail by depositing funds, allowing your temporary pretrial release. Posting bail quickly limits jail time while building your defense.

Dispute Evidence Against You

Prosecutors must prove all elements of carjacking charges beyond a reasonable doubt with evidence to move forward with conviction. An attorney will systematically attack questionable or circumstantial evidence police collected. From disputing unfair police practices that yielded evidence for scrutinizing eyewitness statements, an attorney applies critical scrutiny to the prosecution’s case. Strong counters to the state’s evidence may create grounds for dismissal or acquittal.

Gather Favorable Evidence

While disputing the charges against you, your lawyer also collects evidence favorably supporting your innocence or mitigating circumstances against conviction. Finding impeaching witnesses, cell phone location records, or video footage showing mistaken identity helps undermine allegations. Evidence of coercion, emergencies explaining your actions, or lack of criminal state of mind also weakens the prosecution’s version of events. Favorable evidence provides options for case dismissal, plea deals, or acquittal.

Explore Plea Bargains

If evidence significantly stacks against you, your criminal defense lawyer may advise negotiating a plea bargain rather than risk heightened charges at trial. In bargaining, you plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for an agreed-upon sentence, fine, and restitution. While you avoid harsher punishment, plea deals still mean criminal conviction with collateral consequences. Weigh options carefully, as deals also forfeit rights to appeal. With legal representation, you can make an informed decision that balances risks.

Contact a Plano, TX, Criminal Defense Lawyer

Getting arrested for an alleged violent crime like carjacking can feel devastating. With an experienced Dallas, TX criminal defense attorney on your side, it can make a huge difference in influencing case outcomes. Call The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. at 214-544-0061 for a free consultation.