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State Crimes

Strong Texas Criminal Defense – Protect Your Rights When Under Investigation

A criminal charge of any kind, whether it is a state or a federal charge, has the ability to negatively affect your entire life. You might face long prison sentences, costly fines, and restitution, as well as long-term damage to your reputation and ability to obtain employment. To say “much is at stake” is an understatement. That is why avoiding a Texas state, or a federal criminal charge must be your goal when you learn that you may be under criminal investigation.

With such high stakes, you must protect yourself by obtaining a competent and experienced lawyer to defend you. You should obtain defense counsel at your earliest opportunity to do everything possible to try to stop you from being charged with any criminal offense. If you are under the stress, fear, strain, and unknown of being charged with a criminal offense, then you owe it to yourself to contact Fickman Criminal Defense to protect your rights and fight for your future.

With nearly four decades of experience, Robert J. Fickman understands the fear people have when facing potential criminal charges. He works hard to protect clients who are under investigation. He uses his experience and skills to do his best to protect his clients from ever being charged with a state or federal criminal offense. He works hard for all his clients no matter who they are, where they came from, or what criminal charges they may be facing.

If You Are Charged with A Texas State Criminal Offense You Must Fight to Avoid a Conviction and the Serious Damage a Conviction Can Have on Your Life – You Must Fight Any State Criminal Charge Filed Against You.

State or federal authorities can prosecute Charges in Texas. Whether you are charged with a criminal offense in State or Federal court, it is serious. A conviction will rob you of your rights.

In addition to time in prison, jail and hefty fines, a conviction can have other negative long-term impacts on your life. If you have a criminal conviction on your record, you will highly likely face problems in securing future employment, loans and even housing. There are consequences for criminal histories that you may not be aware of, but Fickman Criminal Defense is here to protect you from imprisonment and those consequences.

 

In the State of Texas, crimes are charged as either misdemeanors or felonies. Misdemeanors carry a potential sentence in jail. Felonies carry a potential sentence in prison.

Common misdemeanors include offenses such as:

IN TEXAS, THERE ARE THREE LEVELS OF MISDEMEANORS

CLASS A MISDEMEANORS

A person found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor in Texas can be punished by:

  • A fine not to exceed $4,000.
  • Confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or
  • Both such fine and confinement.

CLASS B MISDEMEANORS

A person found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor in Texas can be punished by:

  • A fine not to exceed $2,000.
  • Confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days, or
  • Both such fine and confinement.
CLASS C MISDEMEANORS – A person found guilty of a Class C misdemeanor in Texas shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.
The potential punishment for Texas felonies is much more serious than misdemeanors. Felony crimes in Texas are the most serious criminal offenses that can be charged under state law. A person convicted of a Texas felony may be sent to prison. Common felony charges include such crimes as:
In Texas, there are four levels of felony charges. There are also Capital felony charges. Capital Felony charges include only the most serious murder cases.

Texas Felonies

(a) An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years.
(b) In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.
(a) An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life or for any term of not more than 20 years of less than 2 years.
(b) In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.
(a) An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life or for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.
(b) In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.
(a) Except for in situations causing a greater punishment range to apply, an individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony shall be punished by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days.
(b) In addition to confinement, an individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.

If You Are Charged with A Texas State Criminal Offense You Must Fight to Avoid a Conviction and the Serious Damage a Conviction Can Have on Your Life – You Must Fight Any State Criminal Charge Filed Against You.

A Texas Criminal Attorney Who Knows How to Fight Federal Charges, Too

In almost 40 years as a criminal defense lawyer, Robert J. Fickman has defended hundreds of Texans charged with Federal Offenses. He fights for clients in Federal and State court. Federal charges are extremely serious. In some ways, they are more serious than Texas State Charges. For instance, there is no parole in the Federal System.

Federal crimes are managed entirely differently from state crimes. They often include cases that are more complex than state crimes. In most cases that become federal charges, the investigation by the federal government has been going on for many months or even years.

Federal authorities use many investigative tools. They use surveillance, wiretapping phones, search warrants on residences and businesses, and the seizure of bank and business records. Federal authorities oftentimes use confidential informants to gain the trust of the subject of their investigation. Once the confidential informants have gained the trust of the subject of the investigation, the confidential informants will often introduce an undercover federal agent to pursue the investigation further.

Federal authorities have almost endless budgets to pursue a person they suspect of criminal activity. Federal authorities do not always focus on the right person. They throw out a huge net during a federal conspiracy investigation. Since the Federal authorities use a huge net to catch everyone involved in a crime, a completely innocent person can get mistakenly caught up in a federal investigation. A completely innocent person can face serious Federal criminal charges.

That is why you need an experienced Federal criminal defense attorney on your side. You need someone who has fought the Federal government in many cases. Robert J. Fickman has the experience, ability, investigative power, and resources to fight and beat the Federal Government.

Some common federal crimes include :

The Federal Government does not usually pursue small criminal cases. The Federal Government typically files federal charges only after they have conducted lengthy and thorough investigations. Individuals are often charged with conspiring with a group of people who reached an agreement to commit a criminal offense. Conspiracy laws can be applied to any area of Federal criminal law.

The range of punishment for federal charges varies from offense to offense. Some offenses carry a statutory Mandatory Minimum sentence. For instance, if a federal offense has a Mandatory Minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, anyone convicted of that offense will face a minimum sentence of 10 years.

In determining what the potential penalty range is for a Federal Offense, first the statute must be considered.

In federal criminal cases, while an accused person has a right to jury a trial, they have no right to have the jury determine sentencing. All sentencing in federal court is determined by the Federal District Court Judge overseeing the case.

In federal criminal cases, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines are utilized to calculate a sentence for the courts’ consideration. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines went into effect in 1987 and they are periodically amended. They are complicated. Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Robert J. Fickman has studied the Federal Sentencing Guidelines since they came into effect. While the Guidelines are not mandatory and considered advisory, most federal courts look to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines when determining a sentence in a case.

At Fickman Criminal Defense, Robert J. Fickman will apply his experience and zealously defend you against any Federal criminal charges you may face.

No Matter How Tough Your Case, Fickman Criminal Defense Can Help

The criminal justice system is tilted in favor of the prosecution. Criminal Defense Attorney Robert J. Fickman knows how to provide a zealous defense for all of his clients in order to obtain the best possible outcome for them.

Robert J. Fickman’s nearly four decades of experience have prepared him to fight for his clients. The aggressive strategies and creative tactics used by Fickman Criminal Defense have led Robert J. Fickman to have a reputation of hard work, integrity, and good results.

Contact Fickman today for a free case evaluation to get started. He is invested in protecting your liberty and freedom to choose a better future.

Reach Out Right Now to Get Started on Protecting Your Future

Call 24/7 For A Free Consultation

(713) 655-7400

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

2022-08-19
     
Mr. Fickman's display of professionalism simplifies his compassion for clients. I feel blessed having Mr. Fickman fight for me.
Marco L.
2022-08-10
     
(Translated by Google) a very good lawyerI recommend him very intelligent he knows how to do a very good job(Original)Un muy buen abogadoLo recomiendo muy...
Zarahai P.
2022-05-03
     
First, I want to say thank you Mr. Fickman. For the past 3 years Robert has been my counsel, and never once did he not believe in me.
Wicked
2022-05-02
     
First, I want to say thank you Mr. Fickman. For the past 3 years Robert has been my counsel, and never once did he not believe in me. He showed me...
Patrick
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Case Results

AGGRAVATED ROBBERY WITH A DEADLY WEAPON

Case Dismissed (J.S.)

The client was wrongfully charged with Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon. The complainant alleged that the Defendant arrived at the complainant’s home to meet to discuss a business deal. The complainant alleged that the Defendant suddenly drew a firearm and robbed the complainant. The Defense interviewed the complainant. The complainant’s story was full of holes, and it kept changing. In the end, the complainant’s story made no sense.  An argument was presented to the prosecutor explaining all of the holes in the complainant’s story.

EARLY TERMINATION OF FEDERAL SUPERVISED RELEASE

The Motion for Early Termination of Supervised Release was Granted and the supervised release was terminated. (J.R.)

The client was serving a lengthy Federal supervised release for a drug-related offense. An investigation was conducted, and the Defense filed a Motion for Early Termination of Supervised Release.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

No Charges were Filed

The client taught private music lessons. One of the Client’s students alleged that he sexually assaulted the student during a lesson. The Defense Investigation found substantial evidence negating the veracity of the allegation. The complainant’s own conduct was contrary to the allegation. A Defense Package was prepared and presented to law enforcement, and the matter was dropped.

PPP FRAUD-ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

Case Dismissed (V.O.)

The defendant was accused of conspiring with others to commit PPP fraud.  The Defense demonstrated that the Defendant was not involved in any conspiracy. Defendant was talked into applying for a PPP loan by a third party. The third party was to receive a percentage of the loan if it was granted.  Defendant had no familiarity with the law governing PPP loans. The Defendant relied on the third party to accurately complete the PPP loan application. The third party completed the loan application with fraudulent information. The Defendant was conned and received PPP funds without knowing that the third party had committed PPP fraud. The Defense negotiated an agreement under which the Defendant would make full restitution of the fraudulently obtained loan and serve a short pretrial diversion.

FELONY INJURY TO A CHILD

Grand Jury No Billed and the Charges against the Defendant were Dismissed. (C.H.)

Defendant had agreed to step in and help raise a teenage family member. The teenager moved in with the client’s family, and they did everything they could to help the teen feel at home. The teenager did not want to live with the Client or his family. The teenager made false claims that the Client had physically abused him. Charges were accepted with little police investigation. The Defense launched a “no stone unturned ” investigation. Substantial evidence was developed demonstrating that the teen had planned the false allegation. The allegations made were not supported by the physical evidence. All other family members gave statements in support of the defense. A chronological history and photographs supported the defense. The client took and passed a secret polygraph examination.

All the evidence gathered was put in a Defense package, which was presented to the Prosecutor and the Grand Jury. The Grand Jury returned a NO-Bill, and the charges of Felony Injury to Child were dismissed.

ASSAULT -FAMILY MEMBER

Case Dismissed (S.M.)

The client was falsely accused by her abusive husband of assaulting him.  The defense showed that the husband had a history of alcohol abuse and violence. The defense showed that the husband had discharged a firearm in the house and kicked in a door when the client had retreated to a bathroom. The defense put together a comprehensive package, including prior photographs and video showing the complainant’s violent and threatening past. The defense demonstrated that the investigating police officer had done an inadequate investigation. He accepted the husband’s word and filed charges against the defendant’s wife without even attempting to talk to the defendant.  A lengthy Defense package was prepared for the DA. After a meeting with the prosecutor, the charges were dismissed.

FEDERAL MARRIAGE FRAUD

No Charges Filed (M.E.)

The client was accused of marriage fraud as a means of obtaining citizenship. The Client and his family were hounded by a federal agent. After a thorough defense investigation showed the marriage was legitimate, the matter was dropped, and no charges were filed against the Client

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON

Grand Jury No Bill- No Charges (Expunction granted)

It was in the early morning hours, while it was still dark outside. A stranger was near the front door, seen rummaging around. The homeowner was alone with her children. She was concerned that the stranger was looking for a key and would try to break into her home. The homeowner called the police and waited. The stranger did not leave. The homeowner, in fear for her family, called the client, who was a family member. The client immediately drove to the homeowner’s house. The client parked his vehicle and observed the stranger still rummaging about near the front door. The client told the stranger to leave the property.  When the stranger made aggressive moves toward the client and the homeowner, the client acted in self-defense and to defend the homeowner.  After a lengthy investigation, a detailed package was prepared for the grand jury.  The package covered self-defense and homeowner defense.

EARLY TERMINATION OF A FEDERAL LIFETIME SUPERVISED RELEASE

Motion Granted and Client released from Lifetime Supervised Release. (J.S.)

The client had a prior conviction related to Child pornography and was sentenced to  Federal Supervised Release for life. The Defense investigation showed that the Defendant had complied with all conditions, and he posed no threat to society. A Motion for Early Termination of Supervised Release was prepared. The defense package, along with advocacy on behalf of the client, was presented to the Government. In a rare move, the Federal prosecutors agreed not to oppose the Defense motion. The Federal District Court granted the Defendant’s Motion, and the Defendant was released from Lifetime Federal Supervised Release.

ASSAULT -FAMILY MEMBER

Case Dismissed (M.M.)

The client, a Houston area medical assistant, was accused by her estranged husband of assaulting her in her family home. The defense showed that the complainant had a history of alcohol abuse and violence. The defense demonstrated that the police failed to conduct an adequate investigation of the initial charge, No charges should have ever been accepted.

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