Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Bringing a Range of Perspectives to Your Case in Fort Bend County, Fulshear, and the Surrounding Areas
With more than 37 years of combined practice, the McDougals offer their clients a breadth and depth of criminal defense experience that is unmatched. Lead attorney Larry P. McDougal Sr. has served as a police officer, deputy sheriff, prosecuting attorney, and municipal judge.
This varied experience from inside most of the criminal justice system’s different functions provides significant advantages for clients who face serious criminal charges in Fort Bend County, Texas, and the surrounding areas.
What is a Defense Attorney?
A defense attorney is a legal professional who specializes in defending individuals accused of criminal offenses. They work to ensure that their clients acquire a fair trial and the best possible outcome by forming legal strategies, conducting investigations, and researching relevant laws. We do just that at The McDougal Law Firm, our criminal defense lawyers provide legal counsel and support to our clients throughout the entire process.
Cases We Handle
We handle the full spectrum of criminal matters, from traffic citations and misdemeanors to the most serious felony offenses:
Drug crimes, including drug possession and prescription drug offenses
Sex crimes, including sexual assault, sexual assault of a child, solicitation of minors, and child pornography
Violent crimes, including assault, domestic violence, robbery, manslaughter, and murder
Theft offenses, from shoplifting and petty larceny to auto theft and grand larceny
Juvenile crimes, including drugs or alcohol, theft, sexual assault, and school violations
Drunk driving, including repeat DWI and DUI minor
Facing Criminal Charges in Texas?
Consequences for a Criminal Conviction
Texas takes all criminal charges seriously, no matter the offense, the age of the accused, or the circumstances behind the arrest. This means juveniles can be treated harshly by prosecution, even for temporary lapses in judgment, and defendants of any age can be arrested or accused for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. At The McDougal Law Firm, our goal is to protect you from the worst consequences of a criminal conviction while expanding the options that can lead to a dismissal of the charges or a victory at trial.
Whether you’ve been charged with a more minor misdemeanor or a serious felony will depend on many factors, including your prior criminal history or convictions for similar crimes; if you are charged with another offense at the same time, such as a weapons offense in addition to a theft charge; any alleged victims or if minors were involved or harmed when committing the crime; amounts involved, such as the amount of drugs in your possession or the value of goods stolen; and many other factors.
Criminal charges can be incredibly complex. A criminal defense attorney needs to put the time and dedication into planning a tailor-made defense that is in line with your particular circumstances. At our firm, we can analyze the evidence against you, find flaws in the prosecution or the way your arrest was handled, and use our in-depth experience and knowledge of the law to build a strong case on your behalf.
The Benefits of Hiring a Local Attorney
When you are facing a criminal charge, your highest priority should be finding the best possible criminal defense lawyer to defend your future.
If you're located in Fort Bend County, Texas, you may be thinking that an attorney from a big Houston law firm is your best bet. However, the truth is that there is a huge value in hiring a local firm. Here’s how McDougal Law Firm compares to Houston firms:
We know court staff, police officers, and prosecutors. Of course, that doesn’t mean our clients get special treatment, but it does make working collaboratively with these individuals much easier, which results in a huge benefit to our clients.
We are well-respected in our tight-knit community. When picking juries, we often know many of the people on the panel, and they know us. Members of the jury are much more likely to trust a local attorney they know and respect than a big city attorney they have never seen before.
We only practice in Fort Bend County. Who better to build a case on your behalf than a lawyer who knows Fort Bend County like the back of his hand? Only a local firm can truly leave no stone unturned when building your defense.
We offer the same quality of representation as Houston firms. Bigger doesn’t always mean better, especially when it comes to law firms. We have the skills and experience necessary to vigorously defend your future, while also offering more personalized representation than large firms are capable of.
What are the Statutes of Limitations in Texas?
Statute of limitations laws set a limit for prosecuting certain crimes. The criminal charges must be filed within the time period specified or they cannot be filed at all. The reason these laws are in place is so that evidence that has deteriorated over time is not used to make convictions.
However, there are a couple of situations that result in the period of limitation being suspended, including:
Any time that the suspect was not in the state
The time during the pendency of an indictment
The clock starts ticking on the statute of frauds duration on the date the crime was committed.
Generally, more serious crimes have longer statute of limitations periods, and the most serious crimes are not subject to statute of limitations laws.
Criminal Defendants Have Specific Rights in Texas
When you are facing criminal charges, you are likely going to be given the opportunity to take your case before a jury. It is imperative that the trial is considered fair, but this can often be seen as a broad term with many different meanings. Anyone facing criminal charges should be aware of their legal rights in Texas.
The good news is that you can turn to the Constitution to find out what it means to have a fair trial. This, especially the 6th Amendment and the 14th Amendment, outlines what defendants can count on when they are in the criminal justice system.
Right to an Impartial Jury
One important right is the right to have an impartial jury at the trial. This means that they shouldn’t have a preconceived idea about the case. It is sometimes difficult to do this because of the media coverage that comes with some cases. Judges might opt to combat this, at least in part, by sequestering the jurors so that they don’t have access to media reports or public opinion.
The jury should be a cross-section of the community so that they represent the defendant’s peers. None of them should have ties to the case, even if those are loose. For example, a law enforcement officer’s spouse shouldn’t be a juror on a case involving violence against a police officer.
Right to Have and Cross-Examine Witnesses
During the trial, each side has the right to call witnesses. The other side can cross-examine those witnesses. This is done in an effort to ensure that the person’s testimony is consistent and represents the truth. It also gives both sides a chance to have the person expand on what they are saying.
Right to Due Process
There are many different things that go into making sure that a defendant’s right to due process isn’t violated. Essentially, anything that isn’t fair to the defendant and that impacts the trial violates this right. For example, if a defendant has to wear an inmate uniform to a jury trial, it might make the person seem like they aren’t innocent.
Right to Have Legal Counsel
No defendant has to go through the criminal justice system alone. You have the right to have an attorney represent you, and this attorney must present an adequate defense. It is best for defendants to meet with their chosen representation well in advance of every court hearing so that they can determine what defense strategy to use and prepare for the upcoming proceedings.