Even if people know they need a criminal defense attorney, they often think you only need one after you’ve been arrested and charged. Wrong. The truth is, there are key moments in any criminal case where having an attorney on your side isn’t just helpful — it’s the difference between a dismissed case and a criminal record that follows you for life.
This is when you need to hire a Texas criminal law attorney:
- When you’re under investigation or being questioned by police
- The moment you’re arrested or charged with any crime
- Before making any statements to law enforcement
- When you’re facing DWI, drug charges, or violent crime allegations
- If you’re offered a plea deal or pretrial diversion
- When your professional license or employment is at risk
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Mark Thiessen is a board-certified criminal defense lawyer in Houston with 140+ Not Guilty verdicts and thousands of dismissals for clients facing impossible odds. Whether you’re dealing with a misdemeanor or a serious felony, the decisions you make right now will impact the rest of your life.
Call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 or contact us online to start building your defense — because a charge is not a conviction, and you deserve to fight back.
Why would someone hire a criminal lawyer?
When you’re under investigation or being questioned by police
You can be the target of a criminal investigation long before anyone knocks on your door. Police might be building a case against you right now — collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, pulling phone records — and you wouldn’t even know it. By the time they contact you for a “friendly chat,” they’ve already decided you’re their suspect.
This is exactly when you need a Texas criminal lawyer on your side — before formal charges are even filed. An attorney can communicate with law enforcement on your behalf, ensure your rights are protected during the investigation, and potentially stop charges from being filed altogether. Waiting until you’re arrested means you might have already given the police everything they need to convict you. Don’t make their job easier.
The moment you’re arrested or charged with any crime
The second those handcuffs click shut, the clock starts ticking on your case. What you do in those first hours and days after arrest will determine whether you’re facing jail time or walking away with your freedom intact. This isn’t the time to wait and see what happens or hope everything works itself out — it won’t. Police and prosecutors are already building their case against you, and every moment without legal representation puts you at a massive disadvantage.
Hiring a criminal defense attorney immediately after arrest gives you the best chance at a favorable outcome. Your attorney can arrange bail, prevent you from making statements that damage your case, begin investigating evidence, and start identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case before they’ve even had time to solidify their strategy.
Before making any statements to law enforcement
You’ve probably heard “anything you say can and will be used against you,” but most people still think they can talk their way out of trouble. Here’s the reality: you cannot. Police officers are trained interrogators whose entire job is to get you to incriminate yourself. They’ll tell you things like “this will all go easier if you just cooperate” or “we already have everything we need, so you might as well tell us your side.” These are tactics designed to make you confess, and they work — even on innocent people.
Even if you think you have nothing to hide, talking to police without a Texas criminal attorney present is one of the worst mistakes you can make. People accidentally admit to crimes they didn’t commit, provide details that seem innocent but create probable cause, or say things that contradict other evidence and make them look guilty. Your attorney knows how to protect your rights during questioning and can ensure you don’t inadvertently hand prosecutors the ammunition they need to convict you.
When in doubt, say nothing except “I want my attorney.”
When you’re facing DWI, drug charges, or violent crime allegations
Some charges carry consequences that go far beyond fines and jail time — they can destroy your career, your reputation, and your future opportunities. DWI charges, drug possession or distribution, assault, and serious offenses like criminally negligent homicide aren’t just criminal matters; they’re life-altering events that require aggressive, experienced defense. These cases often involve complex evidence like blood tests, witness testimony, forensic analysis, and constitutional issues that the average person simply cannot navigate alone.
A top criminal defense lawyer who specializes in these types of cases knows how to challenge evidence, identify police misconduct, and find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that could lead to dismissals or reduced charges. For example, in DWI cases, there are dozens of ways to challenge breathalyzer results, field sobriety tests, and traffic stop legality.
In drug cases, illegal searches and chain-of-custody issues can get evidence thrown out entirely. These aren’t things you’ll figure out on your own — you need someone who has fought these battles hundreds of times before.
| Here’s something most people don’t realize about DWI cases: Court-appointed lawyers and public defenders only get paid to handle your criminal case, and many never even request your ALR hearing to save your license. At Thiessen Law Firm, we fight for both your criminal case and your driving privileges — and we win ALR hearings about 90-95% of the time. That means while other attorneys let their clients lose their licenses by default, we’re actually protecting your ability to drive, work, and live your life. |
If you’re offered a plea deal or pretrial diversion
When prosecutors offer you a plea deal, they’re not doing you a favor — they’re trying to close your case quickly and efficiently without having to work for a conviction. Plea deals often sound appealing on the surface: reduced charges, lighter sentences, maybe even pretrial diversion. But what they don’t tell you is this: once you accept that deal and plead guilty, you’ve just given up your right to fight, and that guilty plea stays on your record forever (or until you qualify for relief, which isn’t guaranteed).
Before you accept any plea agreement or pretrial diversion offer, you need Houston criminal defense representation reviewing that deal with a fine-tooth comb. An experienced attorney can tell you whether the offer is actually good or if prosecutors are trying to secure an easy win on a case they might not even be able to prove at trial. In many situations, a skilled attorney can negotiate better terms, get charges reduced or dismissed entirely, or take the case to trial and win.
Don’t let prosecutors pressure you into a deal that will haunt you for years — get legal advice first.
When your professional license or employment is at risk
A criminal charge doesn’t just threaten your freedom — it threatens your livelihood. If you’re a doctor, nurse, teacher, lawyer, commercial driver, or hold any professional license, a criminal conviction can result in suspension or permanent revocation of that license. Even a scenario with an escort cop, in which you’re arrested but not yet convicted can trigger disciplinary proceedings with your licensing board. Your employer might suspend you, fire you, or make your continued employment contingent on the outcome of your case.
This is when you need to move fast and hire a Texas criminal law attorney who understands not just criminal law, but also the professional consequences you’re facing. Your attorney can work to get charges dismissed or reduced to offenses that won’t impact your license, negotiate outcomes that protect your employment, and communicate with licensing boards on your behalf. The stakes are too high to handle this alone — your entire career could be on the line.
What is the role of a lawyer in a criminal case?
A criminal defense attorney does a lot more than just show up to court and argue on your behalf. From the moment you hire them, they’re working behind the scenes to dismantle the prosecution’s case, protect your rights, and build a defense strategy tailored to your specific situation.
Here’s what a criminal lawyer actually does for your case:
- Investigates evidence and identifies weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
- Challenges illegal searches, seizures, and constitutional violations
- Negotiates with prosecutors for reduced charges or case dismissals
- Protects you from making damaging statements or self-incriminating mistakes
- Files motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges entirely
- Represents you at bail hearings, arraignments, and all court appearances
- Builds a comprehensive defense strategy based on the facts of your case
- Takes your case to trial and fights for a Not Guilty verdict when necessary
Bottom line: prosecutors have unlimited resources, investigators, and the full weight of the state backing them up. You need someone in your corner who knows how to level that playing field. A top criminal defense lawyer doesn’t just react to what prosecutors throw at you — they go on the offense, challenge every piece of evidence, and make the state prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Without that kind of representation, you’re fighting an uphill battle you’re statistically going to lose.
Prosecutors want an easy win — make them earn it with Thiessen Law Firm
Knowing when to hire a Texas criminal law attorney isn’t just about following some legal checklist. It’s about recognizing that your freedom, your future, and your livelihood are on the line. The decision to hire an attorney shouldn’t be “if” — it should be “right now.”
Mark Thiessen and Thiessen Law Firm don’t just defend people accused of crimes — we go to war for them. With 140+ Not Guilty verdicts and thousands of dismissals, we’ve proven time and time again that a charge is not a conviction. We’ve fought impossible cases and won. We’ve taken on prosecutors who thought they had slam-dunk convictions and walked our clients out of court free. We can do the same for you.
Call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 or contact us online to start building your defense. The sooner you call, the better your chances of winning.
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