If you have been arrested, charged with or held on serious felony charges, it may seem as if the whole world — from police and prosecutors, to the judge and jury, is out to get you. In these times, nothing in the legal process seems fair and you feel like you have nowhere to turn.

Until now.

We have the tough felony defense lawyer you are looking for, one that can help you as you try to prove your innocence to the world. We are the career felony defense attorneys of John Raggio Law Firm in Fort Worth, fighting for you.

If you have been charged with a serious felony, you need to speak with a felony defense lawyer as soon as possible. Call us at (888)232-7313 for a free initial consultation.

Our felony defense lawyers are the top felony defense attorneys for a reason. John Raggio years of experience, proven legal skills and a track record of success to the task of protecting your rights. Our felony lawyers are well-known across Tarrant County for their abilities in all types of felony cases, including murder, sexual assault and domestic violence.

You need our felony defense experience immediately if you have been arrested for:

• First- or second-degree murder
  
• Vehicular homicide
  
• First, second, third or fourth-degree assault
  
• Vehicular assault
  
• Manslaughter
  We also offer aggressive protection of your constitutional rights in sex crimes cases such as:
• Rape
  
• Statutory rape
  
• Child molestation
  
• Indecent liberties
  
• Solicitation of prostitution
  
• Child pornography
  

Our knowledgeable felony defense lawyers will describe the potential penalties for a conviction on any of these charges. We will explain distinctions between "two strike" and "three strike" offenses under Texas state law and we will make sure you know everything you need to know, before trial, and keep you abreast of every development, good or bad.

Don't waste time in jail or out on bail while prosecutors are working hard to build their case against you. Contact our Felony defense attorneys, right away to speak with us about your legal situation. We can provide you with the tough felony defense you need.

A felony is the most serious type of criminal offense that a person can commit. In Fort Worth, a felony offense is punishable by a minimum of 1 year in state prison, all the way up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Depending upon the classification of the felony offense for which you are facing criminal charges, you may be facing years of imprisonment, heavy fines, probation, sex offender registration, and much more. You may also risk losing your professional license as an attorney, doctor, teacher or other professional if you are convicted. This is why it is so important that you consult a Fort Worth felony attorney regarding your charges.

An experienced Fort Worth felony defense attorney from our firm can review your felony charges and determine how to best approach your defense in order to help you avoid maximum penalties or a conviction altogether. As felony lawyers with over almost a decade of legal experience and an unwavering commitment to our clients, we are proud to offer our legal services. Each felony lawyer also offers a free initial consultation in order to discuss your case. We take on felony charges for clients throughout Fort Worth and the surrounding areas in Fort Worth County.

Misdemeanors are defined as crimes with a maximum sentence of no more than one year in jail, a fine, or both. Misdemeanors are divided into four classes (I, II, III, and IV). A Class I misdemeanor is the most prevalent and most serious. Examples of misdemeanors include possession of marijuana, petit larceny (shop lifting), assault and battery, and misdemeanor bad check. Also, several serious traffic offenses (DUI, driving on suspended license, reckless driving, etc.) are misdemeanor offenses.

Felonies are defined as criminal offenses with maximum penalties greater than one year in prison. Felony charges include murder, malicious wounding, and armed robbery, as well as grand larceny, possession of cocaine or heroin, and other serious charges.

Our Services Include:

• Coordination of bail/bond hearings
• Arraignment
• Plea bargain and plea negotiation with Commonwealth Attorneys and District Attorneys
• Bench trials (trials by Judge)
• Trials by Jury
• Dismissal/Accord and Satisfaction
• Expungement

Drug Possession & Distribution

Texas drug laws require the State to prove many facts in order to convict you of drug possession (marijuana possession) or distribution. At the Raggio Law Firm we know how to argue that the prosecutor can’t prove your case on the merits, so that we can do our best to help you avoid heavy fines, long-term probation and drug testing or jail sentences.

Theft—Grand Larceny & Petit Larceny

Texas makes several distinctions between grand larceny and petit larceny:

• The value of the item in question
• The nature of the item in question
• How the item allegedly was taken
• Who was present during the alleged theft

Full-Service Criminal Defense:

• Assault & battery
• Domestic violence/Domestic Assault and Battery
• Weapons charges (Guns)
• Disorderly Conduct charges
• Underage Possession of Alcohol
• White collar crimes (Embezzlement; Fraud; Forgery; Uttering)
• Juvenile law matters (Traffic; CHINS; juvenile criminal)

Traffic Violations in Fort Worth

Although many traffic offenses may not carry the same stigma and penalties as other, more serious crimes, even the lower-level offenses can result in significant fines (up to $2,500.00 in some cases), loss of driving privileges (from 12 months to an indefinite suspension), and increased insurance rates. And the more serious offenses, or even some less serious violations (Driving on Suspended; Speeding; Reckless Driving) can result in imprisonment. Therefore, traffic charges should not be taken lightly. Consult one of our experienced attorneys today who can explain the possible consequences of your particular violation and help you increase the chances of successfully resolving your ticket.

Misdemeanor and Felony Traffic Offenses

Some traffic offenses are more serious than others and can result in penalties as serious as imprisonment. While a traffic infraction might be a minor matter if no one is hurt, the same incident can be a misdemeanor or felony if someone is hurt or killed or if there is serious property damage. Some specific traffic offenses, however, are considered serious violations on their own, such as drunk driving or operating a vehicle without a license. A person charged with a traffic-related crime should treat his or her situation seriously and contact an attorney who can help to protect his or her legal rights.

Frequently Asked Questions about traffic Violations:

Q: How does a traffic offense affect my Driving Record?

A: Many states (including Texas) have a point system to monitor the driving records of their citizens. Under a point system, traffic violations are assigned point values and the driving privileges of individuals who accumulate a certain number of points in a specified time period will be suspended or revoked. Points also can lead to increased auto insurance rates. Contact an attorney experienced in handling traffic violations to learn more about the point values assigned to traffic violations and what impact they may have on your driving future.

Q: I am charged with Reckless Driving, will I lose my License?

A: In Fort Worth, a Court may suspended or revoke your Driving Privileges. Depending on the particular traffic offense on which the suspension or revocation will be based or both, the decision to suspend or revoke a driver's license may be mandatory or within the discretion of the Court or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In all states, driver's license revocation or suspension can have a serious impact on one's life and should not be taken lightly. Contact our firm to schedule an appointment with an attorney who can explain the laws and regulations governing license revocation or suspension in Texas.

Q: I have been charged with DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), what am I facing?

A: If your blood alcohol level (BAC) is .08 or more, you will be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). If you are arrested for the first time with drunk driving with a BAC of .15 to .20, you will get a mandatory jail sentence of 5 days. If your BAC is higher than .20, you will be in jail for 10 mandatory days. TExas DWI laws are becoming more severe every year. If you have had a few too many to drink, you should not drive. Upon conviction of drunk driving in Fort Worth, you will likely be sentenced, and will face significant fines (up to $2,500.00), jail time, and short-term suspension or revocation of your drivers license. Consult one of our experienced attorneys today to discuss the merits of your case, possible defenses, and potential outcomes.

Just because you have been arrested for a serious felony crime does not mean you forfeit all of your constitutional rights. The following are some of the common questions the firm receives about these rights.

Q: Do I have to say anything if I am arrested for a serious felony?

A: Under the United States Constitution, you never have to say anything when you have been arrested, regardless of the seriousness of the crime. It is essential to clearly and immediately ask for an attorney and refuse to answer any law enforcement questions until your attorney is present. Once you have asserted your right to remain silent without an attorney, the police cannot later try to question you unless you waive your right at that point. Even if you agreed to answer some questions, you can stop and assert your right to remain silent without an attorney at any time, and law enforcement must honor this unless you reinitiate talks with the police.

Q: How do I protect my property if the police have a search warrant?

A: Under every United States citizen's Fourth Amendment right preventing unlawful searches, law enforcement generally must have a warrant to search your home or your body, including your clothes. However, many exceptions exist that allow law enforcement to perform searches that might otherwise be illegal.

If you are being searched as, or right after, you are being arrested, the police are only supposed to search your body and the area immediately around your control to the extent that it will prevent escape, destruction of evidence, or injury to the officers.

Q: Can I deny a search of my vehicle?

A: Normally, you have a reasonable expectation of privacy for places like your home and on your body. However, your expectation of privacy is reduced for your car. If the police believe that illegal items (such as drugs or weapons) are in your car, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that law enforcement can search your vehicle without a warrant, but only in the places where the item they are looking for is reasonable to find. In other words, the police cannot search your glove compartment if they are looking for a stolen television set. Law enforcement can also search any container within your car that might contain what they are looking for. This includes a bag or purse.

Seek Experienced Legal Representation

Situations involving potentially illegal searches and police interrogations are usually complex and fact-specific. The law regarding searches and seizures is highly complicated, and the United States Supreme Court regularly addresses this issue. If you have been accused of criminal wrongdoing, or if you believe law enforcement may have violated your Fourth Amendment right, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Contact the Fort Worth Law Firm of John Raggio by email or at 888.232.7313.