Criminal Law Overview
McLemore, Reddell & Story, P.L.L.C. is a Houston-based law firm providing criminal defense representation for individuals throughout the state of Texas. We provide knowledgeable and experienced representation to help our clients save their reputation, their liberty, and their personal and professional life.
Our attorneys handle state and federal misdemeanor and felony cases, including DWI and drug charges, white collar crimes, violent crimes and sex offenses, and more. If you have been falsely accused or happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, we will dedicate ourselves to making sure you are treated fairly by the criminal justice system and that your rights are protected and respected.
From Pre-Trial to Parole and Beyond
Our attorneys do more than represent you in plea bargaining or defend you at trial. There are dozens of points of contact within the criminal justice system where you can benefit from legal representation, and our lawyers provide that comprehensive level of representation that ensures you have someone on your side looking out for your best interests.
Appeals – If you have been convicted of a criminal offense, you still have rights, including the right to appeal. An appeal is different from a trial, and not all lawyers do or should do appellate work. We utilize our years of experience in the courtroom and on the bench to identify appealable issues and prepare and present persuasive arguments to the Court of Appeals. Not all cases can or should be appealed; we can help determine whether an appeal would likely be successful or beneficial in your case.
Records Clearance – Certain offenses are eligible for deferred adjudication, which keeps the individual from having a final conviction following completion of probation. In some cases a person may be eligible for pretrial diversion, which results in the case being dismissed. For those who do have a criminal record, we can work to have that record cleared or sealed through various means, such as expungement/expunction or a Nondisclosure Order.
Parole Hearings – The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has the discretion to terminate your sentence early and order your release from prison. When you become eligible for parole, we can help you prepare for your hearing, identify and prepare witnesses, and represent you at the hearing.
Parole Violations/Motion to Revoke Probation – You are entitled to due process before your parole can be revoked, which at least includes a revocation hearing and in some cases a preliminary hearing as well. We can represent you throughout the process, including both the allegation phase and the adjustment phase (mitigation hearing).
Asset Forfeitures – Texas and federal asset forfeiture law are both very broadly-written, and you can very quickly find yourself deprived of your cash, your car, and much more… without ever having been convicted of a crime. The government’s ability to take property under the forfeiture law is greater than its ability to seize property under the Fourth Amendment, and the burden of proof required to take the property in court is much lower than the standard needed to convict a person of a crime. These lower standards make it all the more important that you retain competent, experienced attorneys to help protect your property from being taken by the government.
Civil Rights Abuses – From arrest to trial to custody, your civil rights can be abused by police, prosecutors, prison guards, and other government officials. We understand your rights in every context; not only do we fight to protect your rights in the criminal justice process, but we can seek redress through the civil courts whenever you have suffered a legal injury from such abuses. We can represent you if you have been the victim of police brutality, harassment or excessive force; illegal searches and seizures; false arrests or warrantless arrests; malicious prosecution; or negligent supervision or brutality while in custody.
Juvenile Offenses – Youths charged with a crime face a unique set of circumstances. While in some ways it may be easier to avoid lengthy periods of incarceration and harsh punishment, a juvenile conviction and being put through the juvenile system can have long-term negative effects on one’s future prospects for education and employment. An even worse scenario is if the youth is tried as an adult. For many offenses, minors may find themselves in the adult criminal system; much depends upon the mindset of the prosecutor and how the offense is charged. We represent juveniles charged with delinquent conduct or conduct in need of supervision, as well as those being certified as adults for purposes of trial.
Seek Experienced Legal Representation
David Reddell, Jim Story, and Jack Hunter together have decades of Texas criminal law experience, including prosecuting and defending criminal matters and ruling from the bench. Our unique depth of experience makes us the firm people in Houston and statewide turn to when they need assistance in a criminal case. If you need help in the criminal law arena, contact David Reddell at McLemore, Reddell & Story, P.L.L.C. for knowledgeable, experienced, and effective representation.
