Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer
McArthur Hammond McGee, Attorneys at Law
Why a Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Matters
Not every criminal defense lawyer who lists Johnson County on their website actually works there every week. There's a real difference between a firm that occasionally handles a Cleburne case and a firm that is from Cleburne.
We know the local courthouse.
Filing procedures, docket schedules, and how local judges tend to handle certain motions all vary by county — and Johnson County is no exception.
We know the local prosecutors.
Every District Attorney's office has its own patterns for what it will and won't negotiate. That institutional knowledge shapes strategy from day one.
We're accessible.
You're not calling a call center or waiting for a callback from an attorney three counties away. You're working with a firm rooted in your community.
We understand the region.
Cleburne and the counties around it are not Dallas or Houston. Juries, court culture, and community expectations are different — and your defense should reflect that.
Criminal Charges We Defend Across Texas
Our firm represents clients across the full range of Texas criminal charges, including:
DWI & DUI Charges
Driving while intoxicated charges (Texas Penal Code § 49.04) carry consequences that go far beyond a single court date — license suspension, mandatory interlock devices, and a permanent record. We handle first-offense DWI, repeat DWI, and intoxication assault cases.
Drug Crimes
Possession, distribution, and manufacturing charges fall under the Texas Controlled Substances Act (Health & Safety Code Chapter 481). Penalties scale dramatically based on the substance and quantity involved — and small procedural errors in how evidence was obtained can sometimes make or break a case.
Assault & Domestic Violence
Assault charges, including family violence allegations under Texas Penal Code § 22.01, carry serious consequences for both your criminal record and, in family violence cases, your rights regarding firearms, custody, and protective orders.
Theft Crimes
From petty theft to felony-level property crimes under Texas Penal Code § 31.03, theft charges are classified by the value of property involved — meaning the dollar amount at issue can be the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony conviction.
Juvenile Offense
Charges involving a minor require a different approach entirely, with different courts, procedures, and long-term considerations for the child's record and future.
Felony & Misdemeanor Charges at Every Level
From Class C misdemeanors to first-degree felonies, we represent clients at every stage of the Texas criminal justice system.
What's at Stake if You Don't Fight Back
Many people assume a minor charge isn't worth fighting. That assumption can be expensive. A criminal conviction in Texas — even a misdemeanor — can mean:
- A permanent criminal record visible to employers, landlords, and licensing boards
- Loss of professional licenses (nursing, teaching, real estate, and more)
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Increased penalties if charged again in the future
- Loss of firearm rights, particularly in family violence or felony cases
- Suspended or restricted driver's license
- Jail or prison time, fines, and probation conditions that can follow you for years
A charge is not the same thing as a conviction. But without a defense strategy, the gap between the two can close fast.
Common Defense Strategies We Use
Every case is different, but defense strategies in Texas criminal cases generally fall into a few categories:
Challenging the evidence
Was the stop, search, or arrest conducted legally? Evidence obtained through an unlawful search can sometimes be excluded entirely.
Challenging witness credibility
Inconsistent statements, bias, or unreliable identification can weaken the State's case.
Negotiating reduced charges
In many cases, the goal is not an acquittal but a reduction to a lesser charge with reduced or no jail exposure.
Pretrial diversion and alternative programs
Depending on the charge and your history, programs like deferred adjudication may keep a conviction off your permanent record.
Building an affirmative defense
Self-defense, mistake of fact, or lack of intent can apply depending on the charge.
We evaluate every case individually — there is no one-size-fits-all defense.
Serving Texas & the Surrounding Counties
While we are based in Texas, we regularly represent clients throughout the wider region:
Johnson County
Cleburne — our home county and courthouse
Hood County
Granbury-area courts and local prosecutors
Somervell County
Glen Rose-area criminal matters
Hill County
Hillsboro-area criminal cases
Erath County
Stephenville-area courts
Tarrant County
Fort Worth-area courts and prosecutors
Bosque County
Meridian-area representation
Parker County
Weatherford-area courts
Court procedures, prosecutorial tendencies, and even scheduling can differ meaningfully from one county to the next. Having a defense team that already understands these differences means less time spent learning the terrain — and more time spent building your defense.
What Happens After an Arrest in Texas?
A Step-by-Step Breakdown. Criminal cases move on a strict timeline, and Texas procedure gives you specific, often short windows to act.
Arrest and booking
You are taken into custody and processed.
Magistration
A magistrate informs you of the charges and sets bail/bond conditions, typically within 24-48 hours.
Hiring defense counsel
The earlier a lawyer is involved, the more options remain open, including pre-charge negotiations in some cases.
Arraignment
Formal charges are read and an initial plea is entered.
Discovery & pretrial motions
Your attorney reviews evidence, challenges improperly obtained evidence, and negotiates with the prosecution.
Plea negotiations or trial preparation
Many cases resolve here; others proceed toward trial.
Trial or resolution
Through dismissal, negotiated plea, or trial verdict.
Every stage is an opportunity to protect your rights — but only if you have representation guiding you through it from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to a Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Every hour that passes after an arrest is an hour the State spends building its case against you. You don't have to face that alone, and you don't have to figure out the Johnson County court system by yourself.
Contact McArthur Hammond McGee, Attorneys at Law, today to discuss your case and your options.