We will work with you to craft a solid defense for your criminal charges, which may include:
Many of these serious crimes are charged as felony offenses. These charges are nothing to take lightly. You face a genuine possibility of a sentence of many years in prison and significant monetary penalties.
Background
Williamson County used to be “that jurisdiction north of Austin,” renowned for its law-and-order mentality and the intransigence of its judges and prosecutors. That’s no longer an accurate portrayal of a place that has grown exponentially in the last decade or so. With that growth has come a shift in attitudes towards crime and punishment, and while it’s not as progressive on that front as Travis County, if you have a case in Williamson County a good lawyer should be able to steer you to safety.
As noted above, our lawyers are familiar with the district and county courts, the judges, and the prosecutors. We have the institutional knowledge to work up your case and put you in the best possible position for a positive outcome, whether that be through case negotiation, a diversion program, or a jury trial.
Big Picture
Being accused of a crime anywhere can be a terrifying and confusing experience. That’s true, of course, in a place like Williamson County where the prosecuting authorities and the courts have historically been viewed as highly punitive.
However, no lawyer should run with that presumption and roll over, rather they should fight harder to win good outcomes for their clients. If your lawyer is prepared to put in the work and use his or her valuable experience to get the job done, then Williamson County is no longer a place to fear.
Our Unique Advantage in Williamson County
The knowledge and experience of lawyers at Cofer & Connelly is unique when it comes to working cases in Williamson County. All three of the firm’s criminal law partners Rick Cofer, Geoffrey Puryear, and Mark Pryor are former prosecutors, as is Partner Garrett Emerson, so we understand how the men and women we deal with as prosecutor think. That gives us a significant advantage both in the negotiation stage of a case, and should the case go to trial. And as trial lawyers we have been in front of juries on every type of case, from class B misdemeanors like the possession of marijuana, all the way up to capital murder cases.
There are many criminal defense attorneys in Williamson County, but imagine if yours had in-depth experience on the other side of the courtroom, and could now use that experience to your benefit. That’s precisely what Cofer & Connelly offers.
Do You Have a District Court Case?
All felonies are assigned to one of the county’s three district courts, and are prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office. This is true no matter which police agency brings the charge. The levels of felonies, and examples of each, are as follows:
State Jail Felony – punishable by no less than six months in the state jail and no more than two years. There is a maximum fine of $2,000 at this level, and probation is frequently an option for those charged with a state jail felony.
Common examples of State Jail Felonies include: DWI (driving while intoxicated) with a child passenger, Criminally negligent homicide, Possessing less than a gram of a controlled substance (certain illegal drugs), Burglarizing a building, Forging a check, Unauthorized use of a vehicle, Theft of items valued from $2,500 to $30,000, Credit card abuse, Cruelty to animals, Possessing or fraudulently using someone's identifying information, Improper visual recording or photography, and Interfering with child custody.
Third Degree Felony – punishable but no less than two years in prison and no more than ten years. There is also a potential fine of up to $10,000. Again, felony probation can be an option for this level of felony.
Common examples of Third Degree Felonies include: DWI (third offense), Intoxication assault, and Theft of items valued from $20,000 to $150,000.
Second Degree Felony - punishable but no less than two years in prison and no more than twenty years. There is also a potential fine of up to $10,000. Again, felony probation can be an option for this level of felony.
Common examples of Second Degree Felonies include: Manslaughter, Intoxication manslaughter, Theft of items valued from $150,000 to $300,000, Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, and Sexual assault.
First Degree Felony - punishable but no less than five years in prison and no more than ninety-nine years. There is also a potential fine of up to $10,000. Even at this level, probation can be an option.
Common examples of First Degree Felonies include: Murder, Aggravated Robbery, Theft of items valued more than $300,000,
Capital Felony – this is the most serious, and punishment is either life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty.
One of the keys to navigating the Williamson County District Courts is having a specific and personal knowledge of those involved in our clients’ cases. For example, after handling decades-worth of felony cases, our lawyers know when to recommend a client seek punishment from a judge, rather than a jury. They know how to approach a particular prosecutor to seek agreement on a bond reduction, or removal of a burdensome bond condition. Simply put, we know the priorities and perspectives of the lawyer on the other side of us, just as we understand the priorities and perspectives of the judge presiding over the case.
Our lawyers are also experienced when it comes to taking advantage of Williamson County’s specialty dockets. These include diversionary programs for veterans, for young offenders, and for those with mental health diagnoses. Handled properly in these courts, even serious felony cases can be dismissed entirely, with no plea or any admission of guilt on the client’s part.
Do You Have a County Court Case?
All cases filed as Class A or Class B misdemeanors are handled by the Williamson County Attorney’s Office, and assigned to one of the three county court judges. (In Texas, Class C misdemeanors go to one of Municipal Court, Traffic Court, or a Justice of the Peace Court. They can include a fine of no more than $500 and no jail time.)
Class B Misdemeanor – the maximum punishment is 180 days in jail, and/or a fine of no more than $2,000. Probation of up to two years is also an option.
Common examples of Class B misdemeanors include: DWI (first offense), Indecent exposure, Possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, Criminal trespass, Harassment, and Terroristic threat.
Class A Misdemeanor – the maximum punishment is one year in jail, and/or a fine of no more than $4,000. Again, probation of up to two years is an option.
Common examples of Class A misdemeanors include: Assault with bodily injury (including against a family member), DWI (second), Burglarizing a vehicle, Possession of two to four ounces of marijuana, Jumping bail for a misdemeanor offense, Resisting arrest, search or transport, Evading arrest on foot, and Carrying a weapon unlawfully.
As in felony court, our lawyers have decades of experience resolving misdemeanor cases favorably for clients. Whether that be through negotiation, through a specialty docket, or after a jury trial, we are there to advise, guide, and advocate for our clients every step of the way.
Do You Have a Juvenile Case?
Juvenile criminal cases in Williamson County can be the most confusing and intimidating of all. Unlike in adult court, whether your child is facing a felony or a misdemeanor juvenile charge, it will be handled by the Williamson County Attorney’s Office.
And this is where the lawyers at Cofer & Connelly excel. As noted, for many years we worked as prosecutors, at various times being the most senior lawyers handling juvenile cases for the office. And the range of matters we handled varied as widely in juvenile court as in adult court – everything from shoplifting to capital murder.
In the juvenile system, the range of outcomes differs from adult court, something your child’s attorney should be familiar with. Most importantly, your child’s lawyer should have one goal: to obtain a resolution to the case such that your child does not have a permanent blemish on their record. We believe our track record for this has no equal.
Our lawyers have maintained excellent professional working relationships with the current juvenile prosecutors in Williamson County, and are better positioned than any other firm to obtain the best possible resolution for your child’s case.
Hire a Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney
Criminal defense attorneys are experts in the nuances of criminal law and court procedure, so they are familiar with the prosecutor's style. They can meet the tough charges with a tougher defense.
Williamson County defendants who face drug, weapons, or charges of violent crime are likely to face a potential prison sentence of many years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines if convicted of the offense as charged. On top of these very strong penalties is the reality that a felony record will impact your life in dozens of other ways, well into your future.
Convicted felons lose the right to gun ownership and face a list of other negative consequences in life. Felons face career and employment hurdles that can keep them from earning a good living and can restrict where they may be able to live. If you are looking at potential criminal charges, do the right thing now and reach out to a capable criminal defense attorney.
Crimes in Williamson County, Texas
There is a wide range of criminal offenses covered under Texas state laws, including serious felonies like gun and weapons offenses and controlled substance crimes.
Criminal prosecutors are known for aggressively prosecuting alleged violations of the law, and they will pile on every potential charge that they can find to make each case a substantial legal challenge. We are defense attorneys committed to ensuring that the prosecutors never have an easy path to conviction. We challenge them at every step with robust defense strategies built on our detailed case investigation.
Cofer & Connelly is all about giving you the strongest chance of facing down the charges.
Our investigative team will research the case details that the prosecutor is bringing and add up all the evidence that they claim backs up their charges. With a solid legal defense, you have the assurance that skilled professionals are reviewing your case in detail and are on the lookout for critical weak spots and flaws in their case that we can use to get the best results.
Contact us today at (512) 991-0576 or online so we can get started with our thorough review of your case and the facts behind the alleged crimes that you may be charged with.
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