At The McDougal Law Firm, we understand that facing criminal charges can be one of the most challenging experiences in your life. With over three and a half decades of experience in criminal law, we are committed to protecting your rights, freedom, and interests.

Led by Attorney McDougal Sr., our team brings a distinctive perspective to your defense. Attorney McDougal's diverse background includes service as a police officer, deputy sheriff, prosecutor, and municipal judge. 

This multifaceted experience provides our clients with a strategic advantage. We understand the criminal justice system from every angle, allowing us to anticipate challenges and craft robust defense strategies tailored to your specific case.

Criminal Defense Cases We Handle 

We represent clients in a wide range of criminal matters, including: 

• Drug crimes: We represent clients facing possession, trafficking, and distribution cases; we also defend those facing prescription drug charges. 

• DUI/DWI charges: Whether this is your first DWI offense or a subsequent offense, our attorneys can help you fight these charges. Our firm also defends minors facing drunk driving charges as well as those involved in cases involving aggravating factors. 

• Juvenile offenses: If your child is facing criminal charges, we can walk you through how the juvenile justice system works and help you mount a rigorous defense. We represent minors facing a range of charges, including vandalism, underage drinking, auto theft, weapons charges, sexual offenses, and crimes committed at school.  

• Sex crimes: Our Needville defense attorneys understand how impactful these charges can be on your personal and professional life. We offer confidential counsel to those facing sexual assault charges, including those involving minors, solicitation, and child pornography charges. 

• Theft offenses: From petty larceny to shoplifting, auto theft, and grand larceny, our firm can help you work to mitigate the penalties, get the case dismissed, or defend you in court. 

• Violent crimes: We represent clients in assault, robbery, manslaughter, assault, and murder cases.  

• Weapons charges: Let us defend you in cases involving concealed carry permits,  felony possession, possession of illegal weapons, illegal discharging of a weapon, or using a weapon in the commission of a crime. 

• White collar crimes: Our defense attorneys can help you fight to achieve favorable results if you are facing fraud, computer crime, money laundering, or other securities/financial crime charges. 

• Probation violations: Should you be accused of breaking the terms of your probation, our skilled team can examine the evidence against you and work to counter the prosecution’s case on your behalf.

What Is a Felony vs. a Misdemeanor? 

In Texas, crimes are generally classified as either felonies or misdemeanors, with felonies being more serious offenses. Texas further classifies felonies into the following categories: 

• Capital felonies, which are penalized by life in prison without the possibility of parole or death. 

• First-degree felonies, which are penalized by five to 99 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. 

• Second-degree felonies, which are penalized by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.  

• Third-degree felonies, which are penalized by two to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. 

• State jail felonies, which are penalized by three months to two years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000. 

Misdemeanors are classified as Class A, B, or C, with Class A being the most serious. The penalties for each of the offenses are as follows: 

• Those found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor face up to a year in jail and/or a fine of no more than $4,000. 

• Those found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor face up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of no more than $2,000. 

• Those found guilty of a Class C misdemeanor face a fine of up to $500. 

The specific classification and punishment can vary based on the circumstances of the crime.