An arrest or criminal investigation can change your life in a single day. Your job, driver's license, professional license, immigration status, and family relationships can all be affected long before a case reaches court. In Texas, the choices you make in the first 24 to 72 hours often shape what happens next.
This guide explains how criminal cases work in North Texas, the types of charges people face, what to do after an arrest, and how our criminal defense team protects clients across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Quick Answer: What Should You Do If You Are Charged With a Crime in Texas?
Stay calm, stay silent, and ask for a lawyer. Do not explain, argue, or give a statement to police without an attorney. Write down what happened while you remember it, keep any paperwork you received, and contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. For a DWI arrest, you usually have only 15 days from the notice of suspension to request an ALR hearing and protect your driver's license.
Who We Are
L and L Law Firm is a criminal defense practice based in Frisco, Texas. The team brings more than 40 years of combined criminal defense experience, including insight gained from prosecution work in Dallas County. That background helps us understand how the state builds a case and where that case may be weak.
We are licensed in Texas and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The firm has received 2026 Martindale-Hubbell recognition, including AV Preeminent and Client Champion Platinum ratings.
Office: 5899 Preston Rd, Suite 101, Frisco, TX 75034
Counties served: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Johnson, and Hunt
Key cities: Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Denton, Lewisville, Waxahachie, Greenville, and nearby communities
Languages: English and Spanish
Our Criminal Defense Practice Areas
We handle misdemeanor, felony, and federal cases throughout North Texas. Each practice area below needs its own strategy, evidence review, and knowledge of the local courts.
1. DWI Defense
We defend first-offense, repeat, and felony DWI charges, including cases with breath or blood test results, accidents, or a child passenger. Our DWI review looks at:
• Whether the traffic stop was lawful
• How field sobriety tests were given and recorded
• Breath machine maintenance and blood test chain of custody
• Body-cam and dash-cam footage
2. ALR Hearings, Driver's License Defense
A DWI arrest starts two separate cases: the criminal case and an Administrative License Revocation, or ALR, case. The ALR hearing decides whether your license is suspended. Requesting it on time protects your ability to drive, and the hearing can also give your defense early access to the arresting officer's testimony.
3. Drug Crimes
We defend charges for possession, possession with intent, delivery and manufacture across all Texas penalty groups, including marijuana, THC products, prescription drugs and controlled substances. Many drug cases depend on whether a search was legal, which makes motions to suppress evidence a key tool.
4. Assault and Family Violence
Family violence charges carry consequences beyond the criminal case, including protective orders, firearm restrictions and effects on custody. We defend assault, aggravated assault and family violence cases and review 911 calls, witness statements, injuries and prior history.
5. Federal Criminal Charges
Federal cases move differently from state cases. They often involve long investigations, grand juries and the federal sentencing guidelines. We handle federal matters in the Northern District of Texas, or TXND, and the Eastern District of Texas, or TXED, including drug conspiracy, fraud and firearm charges.
6. Sex Crimes
Sex offense allegations need a careful and discreet defense from day one. The stakes include long prison sentences and sex offender registration. We examine forensic evidence, digital evidence, interviews and the timeline behind every allegation.
7. Violent Crimes
We defend serious charges such as aggravated assault, robbery, and other violent offenses. These cases often turn on self-defense, identification, witness credibility, and forensic evidence.
8. Weapons Charges
We handle unlawful carrying, prohibited weapons, felon-in-possession, and related state and federal firearm charges, while also focusing on protecting your Second Amendment rights in the future.
9. Theft and White-Collar Fraud
From shoplifting and theft to embezzlement, credit card abuse, identity theft, and business fraud, these cases often depend on records, intent, and value. We review financial documents and digital evidence in detail.
10. Juvenile Defense
The juvenile system in Texas is focused on rehabilitation, but a juvenile case can still affect school, college applications, and a young person's future. We guide parents and young people through detention hearings, diversion programs, and record sealing.
11. Probation Violations
A missed appointment, failed test, or new arrest can lead to a motion to revoke probation or adjudicate guilt. We work to keep clients in the community and out of custody wherever possible.
12. Expunctions and Record Sealing
A criminal record can follow you long after a case ends. We screen clients for:
• Expunction under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55A, which can erase eligible arrests and charges
• Orders of nondisclosure under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, which can seal eligible records from public view
13. Appeals
If a trial or hearing went wrong, an appeal may give you another chance. We review the record for legal errors and handle appeals, including federal appeals to the Fifth Circuit.
14. Professional License Defense
A criminal charge can put your career at risk. We help licensed professionals protect their credentials, including:
• Teachers and educators
• Nurses and healthcare workers
• Real estate professionals
• Childcare providers
How Our Defense Process Works
1. Free consultation: Speak directly with an attorney by phone, video or in person, with no obligation.
2. File review: We collect police reports, video, lab results and witness information.
3. Motion strategy: We identify suppression and other motions that can weaken the prosecution's case.
4. Negotiation: We use those motions and evidence gaps as leverage for dismissal or reduction.
5. Trial preparation: Every file is prepared as if a jury will hear it.
6. Record clearing: After the case ends, we check whether you qualify for expunction or nondisclosure.
Why Choose Our Firm?
Clients choose L and L Law Firm because the practice is built around access, preparation, and honesty:
What You GetWhy It Matters24/7 direct-to-attorney lineAn attorney, not intake staff, answers your call, including nights, weekends, and holidays.Prosecution insightKnowing how the state builds cases helps us find their weak points.Trial-ready preparationProsecutors negotiate differently when they know a case is ready for trial.Flat-fee pricingA written quote at consultation, with no hourly billing or surprise invoicesPayment plans and financingQuality defense stays within reach during a stressful time.24/7 jail release helpHelp getting a loved one released, 7 days a weekEnglish and SpanishClear communication for Spanish-speaking clients and familiesFree Legal Tools and Resources
To help people understand their situation before they call, the firm's website offers more than 30 free legal calculators and resources, including:
• DWI Penalty Calculator
• Texas Sentencing Range Lookup
• Expunction Eligibility Check
• Texas Bond Estimator
• Statute of Limitations Tool
• Legal guides, a legal glossary and an FAQ with more than 50 answers
State vs Federal Charges: Key Differences
FactorTexas State CaseFederal CaseProsecuted byCounty or District AttorneyU.S. Attorney's OfficeInvestigated byLocal police, sheriff, DPSFBI, DEA, ATF, HSI and other agenciesCourtCounty and district courtsU.S. District Court, TXND or TXEDSentencingTexas Penal Code rangesFederal statutes and sentencing guidelinesParoleAvailable in many casesNo parole in the federal systemFrequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a lawyer for a misdemeanor?
Yes, in most cases. Even a Class B misdemeanor can bring jail time, fines, and a permanent record. An attorney may find a path to dismissal, pretrial diversion, or a reduced charge.
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost?
Costs depend on the charge and complexity. L and L Law Firm uses flat fees with a written quote at the consultation, plus payment plans and financing options.
What happens at an ALR hearing?
An administrative judge decides whether your driver's license will be suspended after a DWI arrest. You generally must request the hearing within 15 days of receiving the notice of suspension.
Can my criminal record be cleared in Texas?
Possibly. Dismissed cases, acquittals, and some deferred adjudication cases may qualify for expunction or an order of nondisclosure. Eligibility depends on the offense and your history.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. The first consultation is free, confidential, and without obligation, by phone, video, or in person.
Which areas do you serve?
We serve Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Johnson, and Hunt counties, plus federal courts in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. We offer legal services in both English and Spanish.
Conclusion: Protect Your Rights From the Start
A criminal charge is serious, but it is not the end of the story. The right defense can mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal, or between a lasting record and a clean slate. Across Frisco and the wider Dallas-Fort Worth area, L and L Law Firm offers direct attorney access, transparent flat fees and trial-ready preparation for every case.
