Plano Criminal Defense Law Firm
A trusted Plano criminal defense law firm handling probation and assault cases throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area
My name is Mac Morris, and I am a Plano criminal defense lawyer who has represented clients in probation violation and assault cases for more than 16 years. I understand that sometimes a situation can escalate out of your control, and result in an arrest or breaking the terms of your probation. I do my best to ensure that my clients receive the full protection of the law in their cases, and I work tirelessly to help them avoid spending time in jail.
- For more information about probation violations, click here.
- For more information about assault offenses, click here.
- To schedule a free initial consultation, call me today at (972) 673-0083 or feel free to contact me online to discuss your case.
Probation violations
Probation is essentially an agreement made between a judge and an individual charged with a crime that allows that individual to avoid punishment for his or her actions. In return for a period of good behavior where you comply with a set of conditions imposed by the judge, you will not have a conviction entered on your criminal record. However, if you have been accused of a violating a term or condition of your probation, the judge can sentence you to the maximum penalties under the law, including a lengthy stint in jail.
I have extensive experience helping my clients avoid serving these sentences by negotiating with prosecutors to extend their probation. If you were originally given deferred adjudication probation, you may able to remain on this form of probation. Let me use my skills to help you avoid spending time in jail.
The probation process
There are many steps involved in the successful, effective representation of your probation violation case. They include:
- Initial phone call to my office.
- An explanation of your constitutional and statutory rights. Your rights are limited once you accept the terms and conditions of probation. I help clients understand their rights and find out how they violated their probation.
- Intake interview
- Office interview with me to discuss your specific probation conditions and meet with your probation officer.
- Detailed questionnaire and personal background and probation history.
- Discussion of contract & fees after deciding that my office will represent your best interests.
- Investigation & research of all relevant laws and the specific allegations in your motion to adjudicate or to revoke your probation. I receive discovery materials from the district attorney and evaluate the available options such as keeping you on probation or reducing the amount of jail time.
- Court appearances, plea negotiations and plea bargains, and contested hearing preparation. You may either fully contest the charges by setting your case for a plea of NOT TRUE to the allegations or you may negotiate a plea bargain with the district attorney.
- However, if you plead guilty or are found guilty of the allegations made by your probation officer, you may be ordered to serve a jail sentence or pay a sizable fine. You also may be placed back on probation in addition to a period of jail as a sanction for your violations. Your arrest and jail sentence may remain a permanent part of your criminal record and professional background history.
For more information about the terms and conditions of probation, click here.
Assaults
Assaultive offenses come in several different varieties. An assault can be a verbal threat to commit bodily harm to a person, an instance of domestic violence or the severe beating of a person with a deadly weapon. Whatever form of assault you have been charged with, I can defend your rights and argue for your innocence.
Depending on where you live and the circumstances of the charge , I can argue for you to be accepted into a pre-trial diversion program rather than being convicted of assault. To be eligible for this program, you must be accused of a non-aggravated offense, have never been in trouble before and live in a county with these programs in place, such as Collin County. If you meet these qualifications and successfully complete the program, your arrest and conviction will be permanently removed from your criminal record.
- To learn more about pre-trial diversion programs, click here.
- To learn more about the penalties associated with assault, click here .
Penalties and punishments
The range of punishment for various types of assaultive offenses may include:
- Class B misdemeanor punishment: up to 180 days in county jail, and a fine up to $2000. Also, a misdemeanor assault charge may be reduced to a Class C offense, which is the equivalent of a speeding ticket.
- Class A Assault:
- If involving family violence: punishable by 30 - 365 days in county jail and a fine up to $4000.
- Enhanced: Third-degree felony, punishable by two years to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
I make it my mission to eliminate the charges against you. However, there are times where the district attorney refuses to drop the case. In these instances, I rely on more than 16 years experience as a Plano criminal defense lawyer to help you reduce your sentence and avoid jail time.
An experienced Plano criminal defense attorney on your side
If you need a criminal defense attorney to protect your rights, call The Law Office of Mac Morris today at (972) 673-0083 or contact me online to schedule your free initial consultation. I represent clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Area, including Plano, Irving, Arlington, and towns throughout Collin County. Reasonable payment plans are available and most credit cards are accepted for services.
