Experienced Montgomery County Criminal Defense Attorney
Count on us after your arrest
Have you been charged with a crime in Conroe, Texas or another nearby community? Confused about what to do next? Take your charges seriously right from the start. Get an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. Get The Webb Firm, P.C.
The outcome of your case can dramatically change your life. If you’re convicted of a crime, you could face time in jail, be fined thousands of dollars, and lose your driver’s license or another professional license. That’s why we want to meet with you.
We defend all types of criminal charges
Whatever charge you’re facing, we can help. Our legal team has experience representing people charged with property crimes such as theft, fraud, and burglary, drug charges, violent crimes such as assault, and sex crimes. We also have a robust DWI defense practice. We understand the standards of evidence used for each crime, the ways police, prosecutors, and judges approach these cases, and the right legal strategies to get better outcomes for the accused.
Attorney Amanda Webb has extensive experience handling complex cases in Conroe, The Woodlands, and other nearby communities in Texas. Before she founded her own law firm, Webb served as an assistant district attorney in Montgomery County. Attorney Webb’s wide-ranging experience gives her unique insights into complex legal cases. She knows how both sides think. That’s why she and her team are often able to secure positive outcomes for their clients – either through negotiation or at trial.
Understanding criminal proceedings in Texas
What is probable cause?
Probable cause and reasonable suspicion are two legal terms that come up during criminal investigations and arrests. For police officers to briefly detain a suspect, pull someone over, or conduct a pat-down or brief visual search without consent, they must have reasonable suspicion: an objectively reasonable basis to suspect criminal activity based on actual evidence, not just a hunch. To take someone into custody, the arresting officer must have probable cause: enough evidence for a reasonable person to believe a crime has been committed and that the individual being arrested committed the crime.
These standards exist to protect your freedom. A police officer can’t intrude on someone’s freedom, even briefly, without an evidence-based reason to do so. When officers fail to meet those standards – for instance, if they fail to follow the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure – evidence they acquire can be thrown out, and charges can even be dismissed. That’s why it’s critical to discuss the circumstances of your arrest with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
What is an arraignment?
An arraignment is essentially your first court date: the first time you appear in court in criminal proceedings. The arraignment is when you are formally presented with the charges against you and asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, no contest, or mute plea. In Texas criminal proceedings, this is also when the judge determines bail and, if bail is granted, sets an amount. Before and during the arraignment, your lawyer’s job is to advise you on your plea, begin discussing the case with the prosecution, and present any initial motions that may need to be brought to the judge’s attention.
What is a preliminary hearing?
In felony proceedings, preliminary hearings are held for the judge to evaluate the evidence and determine that probable cause has been established. These hearings provide your attorney with an opportunity to examine the case against you and start building your defense. They are also opportunities to dispute evidence and try to get testimony thrown out or find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that your attorney will later use to your advantage.
What is a pretrial conference?
Prior to the actual trial, a pretrial conference is held to allow both parties to meet before the judge to hammer out which evidence and testimony will be presented in court. This is also an opportunity to discuss plea bargains with the prosecutor; indeed, most criminal cases end via plea bargain at this stage rather than proceeding to trial.
What happens at trial?
If your case goes to trial, the prosecution and your defense attorney will argue their respective cases before a judge and jury. The general steps in a criminal trial are:
- Jury selection
- Opening statements
- Presentation of evidence by the prosecution
- Cross-examination of witnesses by the defense
- Closing statements
- Jury deliberations and verdict
To convict you of a crime, the jury must unanimously determine that you have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt – the highest standard of proof used in the legal system.
Depending on the facts and circumstances of your case, it may be advantageous to go to trial, or it may be in your interest to reach a plea bargain with the prosecution. Your attorney will review the case against you, advise you of your options, and provide a recommendation.
What’s the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
In Texas, a misdemeanor is generally a criminal charge punishable by a fine of under $4,000 or a jail term of under one year. Misdemeanors are further divided into Class A, B, and C. Any charge with a sentence of more than one year is a felony, further divided into capital, first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. Obviously, the more serious the charge, the more serious the potential consequences, but even a misdemeanor conviction can have huge implications for your life.
We fight to help you get the best possible outcome
Even a single charge can reverberate throughout your life. In addition to fines and jail time, you could be facing all the lifelong consequences that come with having a criminal record. Your right to vote or own a gun could be affected. You may have difficulty getting a job or finding housing. If you are an immigrant, a criminal conviction could affect your citizenship status. When we defend Texans who are accused of crimes, we know what’s at stake – and we fight hard to get the best possible outcome. That may include:
- Reviewing the circumstances of your arrest to get evidence excluded.
- Working to get your charges reduced or dismissed.
- Getting you into a diversion program or alternative sentence, if possible.
- Pursuing orders of expunction or non-disclosure to seal your records.
- Negotiating a plea bargain.
- Fighting for an acquittal in court.
- Pursuing rights restoration (for instance, getting your right to vote or own a gun reinstated).
We’re here for you from start to finish, from arraignment to preliminary hearings and pretrial conferences, through your trial and beyond. Our legal team will review your arrest report and search for any inconsistencies. Did the arresting officer follow all the rules during the arrest? Were you read your rights? Was the evidence stored properly? As your case unfolds, we consult with experts, negotiate with the prosecution, and look for legal and factual weaknesses in the case against you as we proceed toward the best possible outcome. We leave no stone unturned because we understand the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Throughout the process, we’ll give you clear and candid advice on your legal options and the potential outcomes. We know how overwhelming criminal proceedings can be, especially if it’s your first offense and you have never interacted with the justice system before. Texas criminal defense attorney Amanda Webb can review the details of your case, discuss your legal options, answer your questions, and let you know what to expect moving forward.
Get a lawyer who will build a winning strategy for you
If you’ve been arrested or were recently charged with a crime, you need to talk to us right away. If you even think you’re under criminal investigation, the clock has already started ticking. The longer you wait to talk to a lawyer, the harder it often becomes to find the facts you need to defend yourself. Give your case the attention it rightfully deserves. Contact us and schedule a free consultation.
