- DivorceAlthough family violence is a serious and very real crime, this area of law is also rife with false allegations. When police are called to the scene of a domestic disturbance, they often arrest first and ask questions later. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to accuse their partner of domestic violence to gain an advantage in a contested divorce or custody case. Because the law makes it easy to bring these claims with very little evidence, men are especially vulnerable to unfair accusations.
- Child Custody and VisitationIf you have minor children, a felony conviction can affect your custody and visitation rights; you may also be prohibited from adopting or fostering children in the future.
- Criminal DefenseMark understands that being charged with a crime is an emotional and personal challenge. He considers criminal defense his life’s work, and he is committed to providing each client with personalized attention, affordable representation, and the best defense available anywhere.
- DUI/DWIA DWI Charge Can Put Your Life on Hold. A single arrest can seriously jeopardize your job, your freedom, and your reputation. If you have been arrested for drunk driving, you can’t afford to delay your defense.
- Traffic ViolationsDrug trafficking is not the equivalent of a traffic ticket. Distributing drugs is almost always prosecuted as a felony. And if federal law enforcement is involved, you are potentially facing decades in prison. So, the first thing you need to do if you are arrested is to contact and work with an experienced Galveston drug trafficking defense attorney who will zealously represent your interests.
- Sex CrimesBecause the penalties for sexual assault are so personally, financially, and emotionally damaging, your lawyer must be prepared to aggressively defend you from arrest to trial.
- FraudBankruptcy Fraud – When a person is unable to pay their debts, they can file for bankruptcy and obtain relief from a federal court. But if the debtor lies on their bankruptcy forms–i.e., fails to disclose all of their assets–or attempts to “hide” property, the court may refer the matter to federal prosecutors for possible bankruptcy fraud charges.
- RobberyIt is also robbery if the thief merely “threatens to place another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death.” In other words, robbery is a theft that also involves some actual or threatened harm to another person. So if you steal an item from an empty building and never encounter another person, that would be considered theft, but not robbery.
- BurglaryIn order to prove burglary, a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did any of the following...
- White Collar CrimesBecause numerous high-profile individuals have been convicted of white-collar crimes in recent years, many people believe you must be a celebrity or a Wall Street tycoon to face these types of charges. In reality, white-collar crime is a catch-all term for a variety of criminal offenses that typically involve ordinary people.
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsThomas began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Misdemeanor Division of the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office. In his first year, Thomas managed large misdemeanor dockets consisting of a wide array of different misdemeanor charges. He handled these cases from beginning to end and often tried them to a jury.
- EmbezzlementEmbezzlement – This is perhaps the most common type of crime actually committed by white-collar workers; namely misappropriate or otherwise diverting corporate funds for their own personal use.
- Drug CrimesAlthough a significant number of dismissals happen before an individual has even gone past the preliminary hearing stage, some convictions are thrown out on appeal. For example, a person who was convicted for possession of drugs in his car can obtain a dismissal of the charges on appeal if he produces evidence showing that the police made an illegal traffic stop. Unlike a pre-conviction dismissal, a person whose conviction is dismissed on appeal is protected by the double jeopardy protections of the U.S. Constitution and cannot be prosecuted again for the same criminal offense.
- AssaultWhen you have been charged with an Assault Crime, you need an experienced lawyer who focuses Exclusively on Defending Assault and Battery Cases and who will aggressively protect your rights.
- MurderMurder is a first-degree felony, which means convicted individuals can be sentenced to between five and 99 years in prison. The death penalty is not available in murder cases. A person can be charged with murder for...
- Identity TheftIdentify Theft – If you obtain, possess, or in any way use another person’s personal identifying information for fraudulent purposes, you are committing identity theft; a common example of this is using someone’s Social Security number to take out a credit card in their name.
- HomicideYou need an experienced homicide defense lawyer on your side. I am prepared to stand solidly in your corner, as I have for countless others in your shoes..
- ShopliftingUnder the Texas Penal Code, several theft-related crimes are prosecuted under a single code section. Theft crimes include receiving stolen property, embezzlement, writing bad checks, shoplifting, and others. Depending on the severity of the crime and the amount of money or goods stolen, the penalties range from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. The specific value ranges and offense levels are as follows...
- Restraining Order
- Money LaunderingMoney Laundering – In its simplest form, money laundering refers to the act of taking the proceeds of illegal activity and attempting to “transform” it into legitimate funds. Money laundering need not involve a complex scheme–simply taking cash earned from the sale of illegal drugs and depositing it in a bank qualifies.
- ManslaughterManslaughter is causing the death of another through recklessness. Although there is no intent to kill, the offender must be aware that his conduct is highly dangerous. This reckless behavior must create a substantial risk of death that an ordinary person would not undertake.
- Internet CrimesThe Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Houston-Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, executed a search warrant in the 11000 block of FM 1764 on Wednesday morning...
- Auto Accidents
- Bankruptcy
- Tax LawWhite-collar crimes involve complex transactions that require a thorough understanding of tax law and federal regulations. Because these types of cases are often subject to both state and federal prosecution, it is important to work with a lawyer who is comfortable defending a case at any level. In some cases, federal law enforcement agencies spend months or even years conducting an investigation before charging a suspect. It is not uncommon for individuals to be unaware that they are the subject of a federal investigation.