Colleyville Criminal Defense Lawyer

Have you been arrested? Are you being investigated by local law enforcement?  If so, it is important to hire an experienced criminal attorney as soon as possible.  Prompt action may help prevent an arrest or stop an investigation. Criminal Defense Attorney, Stephen Handy, has represented clients from Colleyville and the surrounding area since 2000.

Stephen Handy, Criminal Lawyer

I am committed to providing the best customer service possible and advocating for my client’s rights aggressively and effectively. Being accused or charged with a crime can be overwhelming and stressful.

I understand the stress and anxiety you feel and will work to help alleviate that stress. When hired, I personally handle every case. I have an amazing staff that is willing to assist in every way possible.

I am always accessible to my clients on my cell phone, and I make every effort to return calls on the same day I receive them. I focus on personal attention and knowing each of my clients by name. Every client is important, and providing effective representation is my first priority.

I have been practicing criminal law since 1996.  For the first four years, I gained valuable experience as an Assistant District Attorney in Tarrant County. I started in the misdemeanor division where I served Tarrant County for approximately two years. I was then promoted to the felony division where I spent the next two years as a felony prosecutor, serving in Grand Jury, and several Criminal District Courts.

In 2000, I opened my criminal law practice in Hurst to serve the Colleyville and Mid-Cities area. I have represented hundreds of clients accused of everything from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies.

Each case is unique, and each case is important. I understand that both misdemeanors and felonies can have serious consequences if not handled correctly. I am committed to aggressively defending my clients’ rights.

 

Call me today to schedule a meeting to discuss your case.

I will provide one-on-one contact and will handle your case personally. You will not be shuffled to another less experienced attorney or paralegal. When you are being accused, charged, or under investigation for a criminal offense, you will want to speak to your lawyer, not an associate or assistant. If I am not available, my office will get you in touch with me as soon as possible. Immediate action can often play a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Opportunities to win your case can be lost by waiting.

Driving While Intoxicated Cases

Most people know that driving while intoxicated is illegal and can result in arrest. What is the legal definition of driving while intoxicated? Are you intoxicated after having one beer or one glass of wine? How about 2 or 3?

These are difficult questions to answer because it all depends on your body, your tolerance, what you have been drinking, how much you drank, and when you drank it. It is not illegal to drink and then drive if you are 21 years of age or older.

 It only becomes illegal when a person drinks to the point of intoxication and then drives or operates a motor vehicle.  The legal definition of intoxication is when a person loses the normal use of their mental and physical faculties or their blood alcohol concentration is at or above .08 at the time of driving.  If a police officer pulls a person over and smells alcohol on their breath, the officer will more than likely continue to assess whether they are intoxicated. The police do this by conducting a series of field sobriety evaluations as well as asking for a sample of the person’s breath or blood.

Hiring an experienced criminal attorney is a time sensitive matter concerning DWIs. There are strict timelines that must be followed in order to defend a person’s driver’s license and prevent the license from being suspended.   If you have been arrested for DWI, open container, intoxication assault, or intoxication manslaughter please call me to schedule a time to meet and discuss your case.

Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a Controlled Substance Cases

Marijuana is legal in other states throughout the US, but it is still illegal in Texas. If a person legally purchases marijuana on vacation in Colorado, that does not mean they can legally bring it back to Texas. If stopped and the authorities find marijuana in the car, bag, or on the person that individual will be arrested.

Possession of a controlled substance is another charge my practice sees quite frequently. The severity of the charge depends on the type of controlled substance and the amount found in the persons possession.  The most common drug charges are cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines.

It is important to contact a criminal lawyer to handle any kind of possession charge.  As it becomes easier for employers or school administrators to get background information, having a clean record is important in a competitive job market.

Assault Bodily Injury/Assault Bodily Injury Family Member Cases

The number of people arrested on some sort of assault charge is alarming.  How do most people get arrested for assault? Most of the cases are domestic in nature involving family members in their home. However, there are nondomestic cases that happen anywhere and between anyone.

Assault Bodily Injury at its most minimal level requires pain. If the complaining party claims the unwanted contact caused them pain, it is certainly possible that person will find themselves arrested for Assault Bodily Injury.

Typically, juries want to see more in these types of cases. Without any visible injuries, it can be difficult for the state to successfully prosecute these types of charges. Clients are usually shocked to realize a person can be arrested and charged, with their future jeopardized, on account of one person’s statement to the police even in the absence of visible injuries.

Being accused of assault can be frightening and stressful. The consequences of an assault conviction can be life-changing. It is extremely important to hire a qualified criminal attorney to assist you.

Weapons and Firearm Violation Cases

Despite the fact that Texas is a gun-friendly state, there are still laws governing the use of guns. Many of the gun crimes in Texas come from some form of carrying a weapon or firearm unlawfully.

Even if a person is licensed to carry a firearm, there are still venues that are prohibited from carrying a gun. There are many rules and regulations a person must know to legally carry a firearm. I have represented clients that forgot they had their gun with them and have been charged with a crime because of it.

However, nothing bothers me more than when I see a person properly defend themselves with the use of a firearm only to find themselves charged with a serious felony like murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, or deadly conduct.  

Our society loves to second guess the actions of a person defending themselves even in their own home. Unfortunately, decisions made in a split second can cause a person to end up defending themselves in court.

If you have been charged with a firearm violation, please contact my office to begin the process of protecting your future.

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