Criminal Defense Attorney in El Paso

Facing criminal charges is a serious life-changing event. If charged and found guilty of either a misdemeanor or felony, the punishment could include fines, probation, confinement, and sex offender registration. If found guilty, these convictions may permanently remain on your record.

At The Matthew James, PLLC, our team will represent you with compassion, honesty, and transparency, helping you tell your story and secure your future.

Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer Focusing on Assault, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, and More

Receiving accolades as a top prosecutor and criminal defense trial lawyer in the areas of assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, drug crimes, and financial fraud, Matthew James Kozik has years of trying complex litigation cases and obtaining favorable outcomes.

At our firm, we will never promise a finding of not guilty; it is impossible to know the outcome of a criminal matter; however, we will use our experience and compassion to achieve a positive result, be it a dismissal, favorable alternative disposition, or a finding of not guilty. We understand facing criminal charges is difficult, and you are likely stressed, emotional, and scared. We pride ourselves in helping our clients breathe, relax, and see the bigger picture to tell their side of the story.

Texas Criminal Law: The Basics

Texas sees the vast majority of its criminal arrests attributed to drugs, mainly simple drug possession. Larceny is another issue for Texas law enforcement, with hundreds of millions of dollars of property allegedly being stolen every year. Aggravated assault, burglary, and robbery make up the next three most common crimes. A conviction in one of these crimes can mean spending several years in confinement and a significant financial penalty.

If you have questions concerning a specific crime, it’s elements, or the maximum punishment, feel free to schedule a consultation with our staff.

Misdemeanor Charges

Misdemeanor charges are minor offenses and are split into three categories: Class C, Class B, and Class A misdemeanors, with Class C being the lowest level offense. The worst type of misdemeanor, Class A, can be punished by up to a year in jail, up to $4,000 in fines, or up to two years of community service. Examples of each class of misdemeanor include:

• Class C Misdemeanor: Public intoxication, simple assault, petty theft, traffic citations

• Class B Misdemeanor: DWI (first offense), rioting, criminal trespassing, indecent exposure

• Class A Misdemeanor: Public lewdness, resisting arrest, possessing 2 to 4 ounces of marijuana While this is not an exhaustive list, ignoring even the most minor criminal offense or trying to represent yourself during criminal proceedings typically leads to and adverse outcomes. Developing a case against allegations of criminal misconduct takes training, experience, and expertise – and we have plenty of it. Take a moment and call our office so we can begin working together and develop a strategy on how to effectively tell your side of the story. Our goal is to have the case dismissed, have a finding of not guilty entered, or obtain a favorable alternative disposition.

Felony Charges

There are five categories of Texas felony crimes: state jail, 3rd degree, 2nd degree, 1st degree, and capital felony.

State jail felonies are the least serious felonies, with capital felonies representing the most severe.

Some examples of each felony include:

• State Jail Felony: Forging a check, cruelty to animals, credit card abuse

• 3rd-Degree Felony: Stalking, possession of a firearm as a felon, tampering with evidence

• 2nd-Degree Felony: Human trafficking, manslaughter, arson, sexual assault

• 1st-Degree Felony: Aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, attempted capital murder

• Capital Felony: Espionage, genocide, capital murder, treason

Most they will never be accused of committing a felony, especially not 2nd-Degree or above; however, for those charged with committing this level of an offense, it will likely be a lifechanging experience.

The punishment for a state jail level felony is a minimum of 180 days incarceration and a fine not to exceed $10,000. On the other end of the spectrum, capital felonies can result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Convictions from any of these crimes are life-altering, before and after the sentence is served. Regardless of the alleged offense, you have the constitutional right to tell your story through competent counsel. We use our specialized criminal trial experience to work with all of our clients to develop a strategy to tell their side of the story.

What Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney

• How many criminal trials has the lawyer had?

• What kind of training does the lawyer have, or is the lawyer a general practitioner, taking on cases from wills to divorces to contracts?

• Does the lawyer belong to any organizations?

• How many criminal trials of this type of offense has the lawyer tried?

Choose The Matthew James as Your Criminal Defense Attorney

The American justice system can be swift and punishing, causing many defendants to receive unwarranted findings of guilty or has sentences. Mr. Kozik has spent his career litigating on behalf of individuals facing false allegations, overzealous prosecutors, and a criminal justice system often more worried about expediency than the due process rights of the accused. If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges, schedule an appointment today to begin telling your story, for when The Matthew James, PLLC helps you tell your story, you can succeed.