Criminal Defense Attorney in San Antonio

Being arrested or accused of a crime is scary. Facing the full force of the criminal justice system is intimidating, and can leave you feeling powerless. Regardless of the charges or the allegation made against you, I understand that this can be a life changing experience. If you find yourself arrested or charged with a crime, you will need someone to stand up for you. You need someone who will zealously represent your rights. I have spent my whole professional life standing up for people, and I will stand up for you and be by your side to defend you when you need it most.

Contact me by email or phone to set up a free consultation, or use the contact form at the bottom of this page.

Criminal Defense

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in San Antonio, the most important thing that you can do after being processed is to contact an experienced, aggressive criminal defense attorney. Your situation is time-sensitive, and it is vitally important that you understand the entire process that you will be required to go through, and how your attorney can help you build a comprehensive defense that increases your chances of a successful outcome. Remember that being arrested or charged with a crime is not the same as being convicted of a crime. You are innocent until proven guilty, and with the right defense attorney, you will be able to question and inspect every detail of the State’s case against you to ensure that your rights are upheld.

Read more below to learn about some of the types of cases that the Hillier Law Firm focuses on, but keep in mind that this list is only meant to serve as an example. Contact us as soon as possible to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your specific circumstances. 

Examples of Our Practice Areas in Criminal Defense

Here are some of our practice areas, as well as a brief description of each and some general information. It is important that you contact us directly about your case so we can discuss the specifics of your situation, as well as give you examples of past clients we have represented for similar circumstances, and offer some advice on how best for you to move forward.

Driving While Intoxicated (“DWI”)

Driving While Intoxicated, often referred to as “DWI,” is a serious charge in Texas that stems from driving, or operating, a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances such as scheduled drugs. A DWI conviction comes with penalties such as jail time, fines, and license suspensions, and each subsequent charge comes with increased punishments. If you are in the process of being stopped or arrested for a suspected DWI and you believe that the police are violating proper procedure, it is always better to comply with the police than to be combative or aggressive. Resisting arrest can lead to a worse outcome and possibly more charges. If this happens to you, it may be in your best interest to allow the arrest to continue, and we will then defend your case on the grounds that the police did not follow the proper steps. 

There are a variety of possible enhancements that can increase the charges and punishments, such as driving with an open container of alcohol in the car, possession of illegal substances, DWI with a minor in the vehicle, and more. Because there are so many different ways that the State can choose to prosecute the crime based on the other details in the case, it is important that we have ample time to build a strong defense and explore all of the available options. 

DWI Administrative Hearings

When you are arrested and charged with DWI, the state automatically begins the process of an Administrative License Revocation (“ALR”), which goes into effect 40 days after the arrest. You only have 15 days from your arrest to apply for a civil hearing where you can contest the evidence leading to your arrest and make an appeal to keep your license while your case is pending. The outcome of this hearing will have no effect on your criminal case, but if handled properly you will be able to operate a motor vehicle while your case is ongoing, and important facts can be discovered about your case. If you miss the cutoff for submitting a request for a hearing, you probably won’t be able to contest the administrative suspension. An experienced DWI attorney will file your ALR application for you.

Because the ALR hearing is a civil case, you will not get an appointed attorney if you do not retain one on your own. This process is time-sensitive, so it is important that you contact us as soon as possible to begin planning our appeal. 

Assault Causing Bodily Injury

Assault causing bodily injury (“ABI”) is treated very seriously in Texas. Therefore, it is important that you are partnered with an attorney who understands the possible consequences, and will fight to make sure that your chances of a favorable outcome are increased. An ABI charge is a Class A misdemeanor, but there are many forms of enhancements to an ABI which can drastically increase the possible penalties that you will face. 

An ABI case seeks to prove that the defendant acted intentionally or recklessly in a manner that caused bodily injury. It is important to note that in accordance with Texas Statutes, bodily injury can be caused even if the attack does not leave a mark. An ABI charge can result in fines of up to $4,000 and the possibility of one year in the county jail. A defendant with a criminal history may face increased penalties.

Family Violence

Family violence, also known as domestic violence in other parts of the United States, covers a wide range of charges and crimes. It is extremely important that any charges of family violence are handled with care as they can have serious collateral consequences on your future life. Your family life can be adversely effected, for example being prevented from seeing your children or being prevented to be around loved ones.

In many cases, the circumstances that led to the family violence arrest were emotionally charged, and it is important that the facts are separated from the emotions in order to make sure that the case focuses on the reality of the situation. We will make sure that your side of the story is heard and understood, and that your rights are upheld every step of the way.

Sex Crimes

Sex crimes often attract particularly harsh sentences in Texas courts, which can lead to unfair penalties and punishments that do not fit the crime. Being convicted, and labeled as a sex offender can have serious repercussions for the rest of a person’s life, ranging from major professional impacts to the loss of personal freedoms.

The term “sex crime” covers a wide range of charges, from rape and sexual assault to other crimes such as possession of child pornography, or indecent exposure. Regardless of your charges, it is essential that the courts hear your side of the case in a balanced manner, and we will fight to ensure that this happens.

Firearms and Weapons Offenses

There are many different objects that you may be found in possession of that could lead to weapons charges. In many cases, being arrested for one crime (such as DWI or assault) while in possession of a weapon can seriously complicate your case and may lead to enhancements to the original charge. 

Some common charges involving weapons and firearms include Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. It is important to emphasize that each of these charges are serious in their own right, and they can increase possible penalties significantly when they are enhancing other charges.

Drug Offenses

Drug offenses are taken especially seriously in Texas. For example, many States around the country are choosing to either decriminalize or legalize possession of marijuana, but this is not the case in Texas. Simple possession of marijuana is still a Class B Misdemeanor and comes with possible punishments of up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. As you can imagine, “harder” drugs come with even more severe penalties, and a conviction can have a serious, long-term impact on your life.

Possession, distribution, or intent to distribute controlled substances in Texas come with a range of charges and penalties depending on the type of substance, your perceived intent to distribute the substance, and many other factors. It is important that you partner with an experienced drug offense attorney in order to make sure that your case is handled fairly, and that all of the details of your charges are explored and challenged. 

Property Crimes

The term “property crime” covers a wide range of charges that can be either misdemeanors or felonies depending on a variety of factors. Some examples of property crimes in Texas include offenses such as graffiti, criminal mischief (either to public or private property), arson, theft, and criminal trespass. 

If you have been charged with a property crime, there can be serious consequences if you are convicted. A conviction for theft, for example, is considered a crime or “moral turpitude” in Texas that can affect the rest of your life. No matter what, hiring a criminal defense attorney is one of the best moves that you can make in order to ensure that your case is handled properly and that your side of the story is heard and made clear before any final decisions are made. 

Traffic Tickets

Traffic tickets may seem like more of a nuisance than a crime requiring the services of a defense attorney. However, if ignored traffic tickets can quickly cause larger issues that will create serious complications in your life. For example, if you have a Commercial Drivers License and you get a traffic ticket in Texas, you will have a certain number of “points” added to your record that will dictate the types of punishment that you will receive for every following offense.

The best way to avoid traffic tickets is to obey all posted speed limits and traffic laws, but the next best way to avoid them is by working with a defense attorney who can represent you in traffic court and fight to have your ticket either reduced or thrown out. On their own, many of the individual tickets may seem like a non-issue, but over time they can accumulate and cost a lot of your money and time. Call us today to let us take care of your traffic tickets and save you time and money.

Do You Need to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney in Texas?

By law, you are able to represent yourself in the Texas court system. However, this is not recommended because of how complicated the criminal justice system can be, and because of how aggressive some Texas prosecutors can be. When you go to court, the best way to fight your charges is with the help of an aggressive, experienced attorney who will give you the confidence that you need to work through this process.

At The Hillier Law Firm, we are proud of the results that we get for our clients in a wide range of criminal cases. The most important thing, in any case, is you and ensuring that your rights are upheld every step of the way and that your side of the story is fully considered. If you do not have a comprehensive understanding of case law, precedent, and how your legal rights fit into the overall process, you could become a victim of a miscarriage of justice, which you may not notice or be able to bring to the attention of the court.

When you are represented by The Hillier Law Firm, you can be sure that we are exploring your options from every possible angle in order to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. Our experience with the Texas court system means that we will be able to make informed decisions throughout the process and that you can focus on the rest of your life knowing that we have your best interests in mind for your charges and your case.

Contact Us Today

As mentioned above, the most important thing that you can do after being charged with any type of crime or legal violation in San Antonio is to partner with an experienced, trustworthy criminal defense attorney. Whether you are dealing with DWI charges, accused of drug possession or distribution, or if you need help fighting assault charges, we are available to help you today. 

Contact us now to schedule your initial consultation, where we will be able to discuss the specifics of your charges and to discuss how we suggest you proceed. We understand that it can be extremely overwhelming when you are trying to understand the gravity of your charges and the possible penalties that you are facing. We will take you step by step through the process in order to get a complete understanding of what to expect.

Counties Served:

Bexar County, Kendall County, Atascosa County, Bandera County, Comal County, Guadalupe County, Medina County, Wilson County, Webb County