Wilder Law Firm
Legal Concerns
Enjoying Your Life
Criminal Defense Attorney in Plano, TX
A popular saying goes, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” At The Wilder Law firm, we don’t necessarily believe that’s true. Although the American justice system is built on the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” the moment someone is arrested, social stigma begins to set in. Most Americans who face an arrest will have to fight an uphill battle not only against the legal system but against friends, neighbors, local media, and others who will assume the worst. Even if you manage to get the charges dropped or dismissed, you may still have to struggle to restore your reputation and standing within the community. That’s why if you or a loved one has been arrested in Plano or elsewhere in Collin County, contact the Wilder Law Firm at (214) 949-4687 to schedule your free consultation.
What Happens if I’m Arrested in Texas?
Texas has long prided itself as a “no-nonsense” state that prioritizes the safety and personal liberties of its citizens. Part of this pride comes from Texas’s reputation as being “tough on crime.” While “tough on crime” may sound good in campaign ads and on the evening news, the reality is often harsh and upsetting for innocent people who find themselves up against it. Often, “tough on crime” means aggressive policing tactics designed to maximize arrests and “zero tolerance” prosecutors looking to score wins. Many times, innocent people or those who committed a relatively minor crime place their faith in the justice system, convinced they’ll be acquitted or receive only a minimal sentence. Nothing could be further from the truth. Texas judges can and will “throw the book” at defendants, regardless of their guilt or innocence. Letting innocent people go doesn’t help anyone’s “tough on crime” reputation. Texas judges and prosecutors want to secure wins to uphold their image. This means an innocent person will have to fight to prove their innocence, and someone who may have committed a minor offense may find themselves facing more severe charges.
Client Success Stories
This was my second DWI, yet they secured the best deal I could possibly imagine, and I still can’t believe it myself.
– Eric R.
– Brittany D.
– Kingsley E.
– Jorge S.
– Kyle A.
– Sebastian S.
Should I Worry Even if I’m Innocent?
In keeping with Texas’s “tough on crime” stance, felony charges in Texas can be severe, even for first-time offenses or for what might be considered “lesser offenses” elsewhere. For example, in Texas, a verbal threat is considered assault. This means that, if you threaten someone in the course of an argument, you can find yourself facing the same criminal penalties as if you’d punched them. Texas is also eager to demonstrate that it takes certain crimes more seriously than others. In the past, the State of Texas garnered a reputation for not taking sex crimes seriously. To compensate for this poor image in the press, police and prosecutors are often eager to ensure they can secure arrests and convictions in sex crime cases. Because of their nature, sex crime convictions are especially damaging to a person’s reputation. This means you can easily find yourself railroaded for the worst possible crimes by prosecutors simply eager to look good in the press.
Should I Confess or Cooperate to “Make Things Easier?”
Many people believe that cooperating with the police and prosecutors increases their chances of an acquittal or reduced charges. They may believe that the police will appreciate their honesty and “reward” them by letting them go, or only pressing minimal charges. This is not true. The police’s job is not to arrest criminals. The police’s job is to gather enough evidence that a case can be presented against you in court. Similarly, it is not the job of a judge or district attorney to determine who is guilty or innocent and try them accordingly. If a prosecutor has enough evidence that they believe they can convince a jury that you are guilty, they will bring charges against you in court. Innocent people can and have ended up in prison simply because they placed their fate in the hands of the criminal justice system. Similarly, people who have committed relatively minor criminal offenses have had those offenses elevated to serious felonies and have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
Why Choose Us?
Non-Judgmental
At The Wilder Law Firm, we listen, but we don’t judge. We know that nobody wants to be arrested and go to trial, and that no one comes to us due to happy circumstances. We understand that, in many circumstances, totally innocent people are charged with crimes due to circumstances beyond their control. We also understand that sometimes good people make mistakes. We don’t think that means they necessarily deserve to go to prison or be severely punished.
A Belief in Every Client
Some attorneys are repelled by their own clients, and secretly hope they only ever represent completely innocent, “non-problematic” clients. In many cases, defense attorneys may even actively dislike their clients and only represent them for money, with no true compassion or concern for the outcome of their case. At The Wilder Law Firm, we care about the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of every client, regardless of the charges.
A Belief in What’s Right
In many circumstances, police and lawyers subscribe to the “where there’s smoke…” theory of law enforcement. Law enforcement and prosecutors will often work backwards from accusations to make them fit a suspect, rather than examining whether the accusations match up with reality. This “justice-oriented” approach to policing often leads to innocent people being charged with crimes just because someone accused them. The attorneys at the Wilder Law Firm work to cut through to the truth of a case, even if the truth displeases the prosecution.
A Dedication to Collin County
The attorneys at the Wilder Law Firm don’t just believe in our clients; we believe in Plano. We see representing the people of our fine city as our contribution to making Plano and the rest of Collin County a wonderful place to live and work. When innocent people are charged with crimes they didn’t commit, or when good people are railroaded by the system, it harms the community. By serving you, we’re serving Collin County and ensuring a safe and productive community for this generation and the next.
Fearlessness
Some defense attorneys may turn down certain cases, feeling it harms their reputation by association. Other attorneys may view cases as an “impossible cause” and suggest a quick and easy plea deal. At The Wilder Law Firm, we don’t believe the easy solution is always the best. Regardless of the charges, we’ll fight for you and your loved ones to the best of our abilities.
Perseverance
When the odds seem impossible, it brings out the best in us. Even if the prosecution has what they consider an “open and shut case,” we’ll build a custom defense strategy that gives you a fighting chance. No amount of charges or evidence is too much for us to help you. Even if your initial outcome is unfavorable, we’ll appeal your case and help you fight back.
If I Committed a Crime, Does That Mean I’ll Necessarily Go to Prison?
Good people make mistakes every day. That doesn’t mean they should pay for the rest of their life for those mistakes. Although Texas enjoys its “tough on crime” reputation, the criminal justice system is not meant to be strictly punitive. In most cases, judges’ hands aren’t tied when it comes to handing down sentences, and both judges and juries are meant to take mitigating factors into consideration when determining sentences. This is why an attorney from the Wilder Law Firm is so vital if you have been charged with a crime in Collin County. Even if you committed a criminal offense, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will go to prison or face penalties. A successful defense attorney can argue for leniency in your favor and present compelling evidence to the jury to support your case. An experienced and determined defense attorney like those at Wilder Law Firm knows how to establish the facts of a case in such a way that your charges are dropped, dismissed, or you only receive a minimal sentence.
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What Should I Do if I’ve Been Arrested in Texas?
Being arrested is serious business. Some people “shrug it off.” Others may “throw themselves on the mercy of the court,” or try to stage their own defense based on nothing but their own word and the hope that a jury will believe them. All of these are mistakes. Texas prosecutors take felony charges seriously, and Plano police are invested in demonstrating to the public that they take “law and order” seriously. Even a single felony conviction in Texas can change the course of your entire life and determine where you can live, what kind of jobs you can have, whether you can vote or own firearms, and even under what circumstances you can see your own children. Depending on the charges, one felony conviction, such as for a sex crime or a crime involving minors, can even mean the end of your life as you know it. That’s why if you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime in Plano, contact the Wilder Law Firm. Our compassionate and dedicated attorneys don’t judge; we listen. We know that there’s not always smoke where there’s fire, and that good people can sometimes make poor decisions. We wholeheartedly believe everyone deserves the absolute best defense, regardless of the circumstances. During your free, no-obligation consultation, our attorneys will offer a judgment-free assessment of your case and craft a custom defense strategy. We aren’t satisfied until you’ve been able to place a difficult chapter in your life behind you. Even if you’ve been arrested in Collin County, you can get an acquittal, but you need a solid defense attorney in your corner. Don’t hesitate- call (214) 949-4687 to schedule your free consultation.
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