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Colorado County Criminal Defense Attorney

Legal Representation for Criminal Charges in Colorado County, TX

Named after the Colorado River that runs through it, Colorado County is a quiet, sparsely populated, but beautiful place. But that doesn't mean you can't get into any trouble, either by mistake or otherwise. If you have been arrested and charged with a crime in Colorado County, Texas, Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. can help. Our legal team is fully committed to our clients. We want the best outcome for you, and to attain it, we put in the time and resources it requires.

Arrested in Colorado County? Here are Some Things to Consider

Getting arrested – as anyone who has been can tell you – can be stressful and scary, especially if it is your first time. Here are some things you should know if you have been arrested in Colorado County, Texas.

Know Your Rights

You have rights. Even if you committed the act with which you have been charged, you still have rights. Some of these rights include:

  • The right to remain silent. This Fifth Amendment right is meant to protect you from incriminating yourself. Police officers ask questions designed to elicit a response that will acquire evidence to make a case against you. Police ask questions with a reason in mind.
  • The right to be free from unlawful search and seizure. There is a strict process to which police officers must adhere when they want to search and/or seize your person or your property. You do not have to agree to a search unless law enforcement has a warrant to search.
  • The right to a speedy trial. After an indictment is made and you are arrested, a trial must be provided quickly.
  • The right to a trial by a jury. This right applies if the punishment of which you are accused carries with it possible jail time in Texas.
  • The right to defend yourself in court before a jury of your peers. You have the right to retain a criminal defense lawyer of your choosing. You obviously want to retain the best lawyer you can to ensure that your rights and freedom are preserved so that you do not sustain a conviction that could hinder you for a lifetime.

Know the Charges

To understand better what you are up against, you need to know all about the charges placed against you. Knowledge is always a key component of success. Things to help you understand what you are up against include:

  • The charge(s) and what classification it is
  • The elements of the charge
  • The range of penalties
  • The possibility of a reduced charge, diversion, expunction, etc.
  • The possible defenses

These things will help you know what is at stake. They also give you an indication of what kind of an attorney you will want to hire, so you know you are getting the best defense.

Know the Collateral Consequences

So many suspects think only about the criminal penalties with little consideration of what a criminal record will do to their futures. The problem with a conviction is criminal penalties come and go, but the criminal record remains long after you have paid your debt to society. In other words, you face collateral consequences after a conviction and subsequent criminal record.

When a criminal record shows up on a background check, it can cause you problems in a number of areas, whether it's your job or other personal matters. Collateral consequences can include but are not limited to:

  • Denial or revocation of a professional license, like a pilot's license, nursing license, or medical license
  • Denial or revocation of security clearance
  • Denial of a new job or promotion
  • Disqualification for financial aid
  • Denied admissions to a higher education institution
  • Denial of a rental agreement or housing in a safe environment
  • Denial of constitutional rights, such as the right to vote or own and use a firearm
  • Problems with custody of your children
  • Diminished reputation among family and community

Know Why Not to Plead Guilty

Whether or not you are guilty, do not plead guilty. Doing so absolutely limits your options and chances for a better resolution. A charge does not mean a guaranteed conviction; in fact, that is far from the truth. The prosecutor must satisfy all the elements of the crime and prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. A good criminal defense attorney will invoke doubt to weaken or disprove the prosecutor's case.

Know Your Options

Pleading not guilty flows from knowing what your options are. You have no options if you plead guilty, but you do if you plead not guilty. Each case is unique, and each option comes with its pros and cons. (A good attorney can describe what those pros and cons are in your unique circumstances.) Options could include treatment in lieu of a conviction or jail time, diversion, a reduced charge, or – among other possibilities – going to trial and fighting the charge.

Know that You Don't Know it All: Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer

The law is complex. The legal process is complex. You may find it hard to navigate these things. If you want to fight your charge, then you should acknowledge you don't know everything about the process or how to defend yourself. It is in your best interests to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer with trial experience to support his or her skills and knowledge of the law. You need a lawyer who thoroughly knows the criminal justice system and is strategic when building your defense.

Doug Murphy has been representing clients for more than 19 years. He is Board Certified in DUI defense by the National College of DUI Defense, accredited by the American Bar Association. He is also Board Certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. These two Board Certifications make him one of only two attorneys in all of Texas board certified in Criminal and DWI Law.

Doug Murphy is also committed to your defense and prepares each case as though a trial is expected. This approach puts the prosecution on notice that he is not willing to settle for a plea deal that does not favor you. In fact, he has acquired a reputation for the same. He is often invited to speaking engagements to talk to other lawyers about his approach to DWI and criminal defense.

Criminal Cases Represented by Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. in Colorado County

Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. represents criminal cases involving DWI and other criminal activity. He defends these cases using a comprehensive and aggressive approach. Below is a list of offenses he often defends.

DWI Offenses

Criminal Offenses

Possible Defenses

Doug Murphy considers all angles of any given case. Whether it is a matter of proving your innocence or weakening the State's case against you, Doug Murphy puts considerable thought into building your defense.

In some instances, you may have committed the crime but have justification for it. In those cases, an affirmative defense will be the center of your defense strategy. These include:

Doug Murphy and his team also employ other strategies, like filing motions to dismiss a case or to suppress evidence when that evidence was obtained illegally. Each case is different and is treated as such.

Colorado County Court System

In Texas, each county is statutorily assigned one County Court at Law, which oversees – among other cases – all Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases. Some counties, depending on the size and need for it, have more than one County Court at Law, but Colorado County has only the mandated one.

Felony cases are heard at the judicial district court. Each county is assigned to at least one judicial district court, which may or may not be shared with another county. Depending on size and need, some counties will be assigned to more than one district court. Colorado County is assigned to the 25th District Court and the 2nd 25th District Court. The Colorado County website provides an all-inclusive calendar that shows you the times and dates allotted for each court.

County Court at Law of Colorado County, TX

County Court at Law
Colorado County Courthouse
400 Spring Street, Room 107
Columbus, TX 78934
Phone: 979-732-9389

The County Court at Law is strict about decorum in the courtroom. You will not be permitted inside the courtroom if you are wearing:

  • Shorts, capri pants, mini skirts, or tank tops
  • T-shirts with racial, ethnic, or sexual phrases
  • Baggy or saggy pants that show undergarments
  • Flip-flops
  • Hats or ball caps

In addition, you cannot be disruptive or disrespectful during court proceedings and cannot bring in or do any of the following:

  • Tobacco
  • Chewing gum
  • Food or drink
  • Propping feet up on tables or chairs

Regardless of what your attorney says or what you think, the way you portray yourself can make a serious difference in the way the court hearing is conducted and what transpires or results from it. It is in your best interests to forget self-expression for the time being and act like a model citizen.

Judicial District Courts of Colorado County, TX

Colorado County is assigned to two district courts: the 2nd 25th District and the 25th District Courts.

2nd 25th District Court
Judge Jessica Richard Crawford
211 West Court Street, Room 221
Seguin, TX 78155 (Gonzales County)
Phone: 830-303-4188, ext. 1300

The 2nd 25th District Court is assigned to Colorado County as well as Guadalupe, Lavaca, and Gonzales Counties. In Colorado County, the court may hear criminal cases only up to 3 days out of the month. The calendar is shared among the four counties.

25th District Court
Judge William D. Old III
211 West Court Street, 2nd Floor
Seguin, TX 78155 (Gonzales County)
Phone: 830-303-4188, ext. 1265

The 25th District Court is assigned to Colorado County as well as Guadalupe, Lavaca, and Gonzales Counties. In Colorado County, the court may hear criminal cases only up to 3 days out of the month. The calendar is divided to accommodate all four counties.

Colorado County Adult Probation

If you are placed on probation or parole, your program will be supervised by the Community Supervision and Corrections Department, otherwise known as the Adult Probation.

Adult Probation
1023 Milam Street
Columbus, TX 78934
Phone: 979-732-8321

Colorado County Jail & Prison Facilities

A conviction can lead to a sentence that requires incarceration. Misdemeanor crimes usually result in incarceration at the county jail. State felonies require incarceration at a state jail. Felonies require incarceration at a state prison. Colorado County has only one incarceration facility: the Colorado County jail. If you are convicted of a felony and are sentenced to time behind bars, you will likely be sent out of the county to serve your time.

Colorado County Jail

If you have been arrested by an officer from the Sheriff's office or an officer at any of the three local police departments, then you were probably booked into the Colorado County Jail. If you are subsequently convicted of a misdemeanor that carries with it a sentence of imprisonment, you will also be transferred to the county jail.

Colorado County Jail
2215 Walnut Street
Columbus, TX 78934
Phone: 979-732-2535

Colorado County Law Enforcement Agencies

Colorado County is sparsely populated, and the law enforcement agencies available to residents reflect the population. If you come into contact with any police officers in Colorado County, it will likely be a patrol officer from the Sheriff's Department or a police officer from any of the three local police departments.

Colorado County Sheriff's Office

The Colorado County Sheriff's Office manages and investigates all crimes that occur outside city limits, but they also assist city police after hours when city police have limited or no staff available. The Sheriff's Office provides an online service through Vinelink so that citizens can check the custody status of an alleged suspect.

Colorado County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff R.H. "Curly" Wied
2215 Walnut Street
Columbus, TX 78934
Phone: 979-732-2388

Local Police Departments

The local police supervise and investigate crimes that occur within city limits. Because of limited staff, if assistance is needed after house, the Colorado County Sheriff's office generally takes over in place of city police officers.

City of Columbus Police Department
Chief Milton "Skip" Edman
City Hall - 2nd Floor
605 Spring Street
Columbus, TX 78934
Phone: 979-732-5898

City of Eagle Lake Police Department
Lieutenant Don Hoover
200 East Post Office Street
Eagle Lake, TX 77434
Phone: 979-234-2727

Weimar Police Department
Chief Todd Jacobs
1754 IH-10
Weimar, TX 78962
Phone: 979-725-8060

Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. Representation

Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. is based in Houston, Texas, but it provides legal services throughout the region. If you live in the following cities or any surrounding area throughout Colorado County, Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. will provide criminal defense.

Experienced DWI Defense & Criminal Defense in Colorado County, TX

Doug Murphy's philosophy that grounds his practice is simple: you are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This basic principle is true whether or not you committed the offense. Doug Murphy will work hard to defend innocent persons from a conviction and tirelessly to help guilty persons get a second chance. At Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C., we believe in strong legal defense and have the resources to deliver.

If you have been charged with a DWI or another criminal offense and want to fight it, retain a DWI and criminal defense attorney committed to the same. At Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C., you get commitment and results. Contact Murphy & McKinney Law Firm, P.C. today at 713-229-8333 for a consultation.

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