DALLAS Criminal Defense Lawyers

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The Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter Offers Experienced and Aggressive Representation

If you’re facing criminal charges of any kind, it’s important that you fight back with the same ferocity that will meet you. Building a strong case, hiring a tough lawyer, and following all the right steps will help to ensure that these charges will soon be a thing of the past. When it comes to criminal defense attorneys in the Dallas area, the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter may just be your best bet. Our Dallas criminal defense attorneys will thoroughly review the details of your case and will help you navigate the legal process. We even offer a free consultation to get you started. Nothing should stand in your way of contacting an attorney and getting on the right path to justice.

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Nationally Recognized Defense Attorneys

Since 2006, the Dallas criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter have effectively represented thousands of people all over the state of Texas. Over the last 12 years, we have garnered a national reputation for our significant verdicts and settlements and our efficient and successful approach to tackling the most complex areas of criminal law. We have consistently been chosen as Texas Super Lawyers, ranked by The National Trial Lawyers as Top 100 Lawyers and uphold an AVVO rating of 10.0. Our team is compassionate and professional and we don’t judge you for simply picking up the phone or walking through our doors. It’s our conviction in the belief that you’re innocent until proven guilty that has driven us as criminal defense attorneys for these past ten years as a firm.

For more than 12 years, the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter has been a fixture in the Dallas community. As many of us are Texas natives, we’re familiar with the city of Dallas and its residents. We grew up, built our practice, and raised our families here. We’ll fight to protect the rights and defend Texans who have been accused of any crime. If you or someone you love is facing a criminal charge, contact the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter for a free consultation with a Dallas criminal defense lawyer. We have successfully represented hundreds of people facing serious allegations and are prepared to do the same for you. Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation by filling out our email form or by calling us at (214) 845-7007.

CASE RESULTS

DECEMBER 2023 – THEFT OVER $750

DISMISSED
NOVEMBER 2023 – DWI 2nd OFFENSE

DISMISSED
NOVEMBER 2023 – LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT

DISMISSED
NOVEMBER 2023 – FELONY ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE

DISMISSED
NOVEMBER 2023 – DWI & UCW

DISMISSED
OCTOBER 2023 – POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE & DWI 2nd & UCW

DISMISSED
October 2023 – DWI

DISMISSED
OCTOBER 2023 – ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE

DISMISSED
OCTOBER 2023 – PROBATION VIOLATIONS

DISMISSED
SEPTEMBER 2023 – POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE & DWI 2ND

DISMISSED
SEPTEMBER 2023 – ASSAULT OF A PUBLIC SERVANT

DISMISSED
JULY 2023 – FELONY DWI WITH A CHILD

CHARGES REDUCED
JULY 2023 – EVADING ARREST WITH A VEHICLE

DISMISSED
JULY 2023 – DWI

DISMISSED
JULY 2023 – POSS OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

DISMISSED
JULY 2023 – DWI

DISMISSED
JULY 2023 – INTERFERENCE WITH PUBLIC DUTIES

DISMISSED
JULY 2023 – DWI

DISMISSED
JULY 2023 – ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE

DISMISSED
JUNE 2023 – DWI & ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE

DISMISSED

DO I NEED A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER?

Being accused of a crime is serious and can have life-altering effects for both you and your loved ones. After a charge has been brought against you, you’re likely reeling with questions. How am I going to pay the fines for my charge? How will I be able to apply for a job? How will I be able to provide for my family if I’m in prison?

It’s an unfortunate reality that people who have a conviction on their record have even their barest rights stripped away from them and the accused often deal with faltering or failing relationships, even before they ever step into a courtroom. With the help of an experienced attorney, however, it’s possible to have charges dismissed or even reduced. You’re unlikely to acquire the best possible results that you deserve without legal representation, so this step is crucial. People who have a defense attorney are much more likely to have the severity of their punishment reduced or eliminated. For this reason, we always recommend that those who are accused of a crime seek the legal guidance from an experienced and aggressive Dallas criminal defense attorney.

The legal process can be excessively daunting. Let us handle the paperwork, phone calls and negotiations so that you don’t have to learn the ins and outs of criminal law. Our initial consultations are free, so contact the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter today.

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Why choose the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter to handle my case?

If you need a criminal defense lawyer in Dallas, you certainly have a number to choose from. How do you know which criminal defense firm is right for you and your family? How do you know who you can trust to fight for your freedom and rights? The fact remains that not all defense attorneys are created equally. Choosing the right lawyer may determine if your charges are completely dismissed, significantly reduced, or neither. These are some of the facts that set the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter a tier above the rest:

OUR CRIMINAL DEFENSE PRACTICE AREAS

Whenever a person is charged with a crime, it must be met with an experienced, aggressive legal defense. At the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we are prepared to put our considerable experience to work for you if you are facing charges involving any of the following:

Your future is too important to leave anything to chance. As such, it is important to make sure that you have a committed team of experienced Dallas criminal defense lawyers supporting you if you are facing criminal charges of any kind.

Contact a Dallas Criminal Attorney Today

We understand that a criminal charge can alter your life for years to come. The fear of having to pay significant fines and potentially facing jail time are frightening and stressful consequences of a conviction. Additionally, friends, family and coworkers may begin to perceive and treat you differently which can have a severe impact on your emotional and mental health. The Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter have the utmost sympathy for families facing legal charges. The fear of losing your current freedoms and having your personal rights taken from you can be difficult to reconcile with. The legal process can be exceptionally intricate and difficult to understand. We want our clients to feel well-informed and taken care of as we pursue justice in their case.

If you have been charged with an offense, you need to contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your legal rights and freedoms are upheld throughout the legal process. At the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we know what it takes to represent people facing a wide range of offenses effectively, and we are ready to put our dedication to work for you. Our Dallas criminal defense law firm fights to protect the rights and defend Dallas residents who have been given criminal charges. If you or someone you love is facing charges, contact the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter for a free consultation with a Dallas criminal defense lawyer. We approach defending charges aggressively. We have successfully represented hundreds of people and are prepared to do the same for you. Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation by filling out our email form or by calling us at (214) 845-7007.

How Long Will the Process Take?

It’s incredibly difficult to say how long you will need to fight an accusation. The longest criminal court case recorded in the United States took seven years, but most processes run through to completion within a few months. Some are shorter, and some are longer than this. Many of the determining factors depend on what crime you were accused of, whether it’s a federal or a state crime, whether it is a felony or a misdemeanor, among other things. It is best to consult with an attorney regarding this question as they will be able to give you a more accurate idea of how long it may take.

Frequently Asked Questions

ANSWERS TO YOUR PRESSING QUESTIONS

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A criminal conviction in Texas may have a long-lasting impact on your future. If you are convicted of a crime in Texas, it can negatively impact your life in myriad ways.

Many offenses, including DWI, could result in the revocation of your driver’s license upon conviction. You could lose your job after being convicted of a job, and you may have trouble finding work with a criminal record. Many employers run background checks before hiring someone. If you have a criminal record, you may be turned down. Furthermore, professional licensing boards in certain fields could take away your license or decline to give you one.

If you are in college, you could get suspended or expelled. You will likely at least hear have to attend a hearing before your school’s disciplinary board. You may be unable to secure federal financial aid as well.

A convicted felon cannot possess a firearm in the state of Texas. However, after five years pass from the end of your prison sentence, parole, or probation, you may possess a firearm, but only in your home. If you are a foreign national, a conviction can prevent you from obtaining a green card or becoming a naturalized American citizen. You may also lose your job and be deported.

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A criminal conviction in Texas may land you in jail or prison. You also may face probation, suspended sentences, restrictions, or sanctions depending on the severity of the charges.

A person convicted of criminal charges has to face a court trial. The judge can handout punishments of different types based on the severity of the crime. It may include a prison term, fines, or both.

In Texas, a criminal conviction on misdemeanor charges may include the following punishments:

  • Class A misdemeanors: Up to 1-year imprisonment and $4,000 fine
  • Class B misdemeanors: Up to 180 days jail and $2,000 fine
  • Class C misdemeanors: Up to $500 fine

A felony conviction can lead to more serious penalties, including:

  • Capital felony: Death penalty
  • First-degree felony: Life prison sentence with $10,000 fine
  • Second-degree felony: Up to 20-year jail sentence and $10,000 fine
  • Third-degree felony: Up to 10-year jail with $10,000 fine
  • State-jail felony: Up to 2-year prison term with $10,000 fine

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An experienced Texas criminal defense attorney can help you in many ways. Below are some of the key benefits of hiring an attorney when you’ve been charged with a crime. A criminal defense attorney can help:

  • Navigate the complex criminal justice system
  • Negotiate for a favorable outcome
  • Determine the right sentencing program for your situation
  • Hire investigators and expert witnesses

Having a good lawyer by your side throughout your criminal trial can make all the difference in the world. Allow our attorneys to fight tirelessly toward a favorable resolution for your case.

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Being arrested is one of the scariest and most confusing moments in an individual’s life, especially if it’s the first time it’s happened to you. If you are arrested in Dallas or anywhere else in Texas, you should be careful about what you say when dealing with police officers. If you are being questioned, don’t answer any questions until your attorney is present. Never sign anything without consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you believe you are being threatened or coerced by law enforcement after your arrest, let your lawyer know about this.

No matter if you have been arrested for a state crime or federal crime, police officers are trained to accomplish their main goal, which is to gather as much evidence as they can. This, it’s critical that you exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Immediately ask to speak to a qualified criminal defense lawyer.

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The primary difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is that misdemeanors are less serious offenses. Misdemeanors are punishable with less than a year jail time, whereas felonies are punishable with at least a year of prison time.

A misdemeanor charge typically involves non-violent offense, meaning the illegal action did not cause harm to the alleged victim. Punishments for misdemeanor offenses include: fines, community service, court-ordered treatment, probation, and jail time that does not exceed one year.

In Texas, misdemeanors are classified into three categories according to the seriousness of the offense: (1) Class A misdemeanor; (2) Class B misdemeanor; (3) Class C misdemeanor.

In Texas, misdemeanors are classified into three categories according to the seriousness of the offense: (1) Class A misdemeanor; (2) Class B misdemeanor; (3) Class C misdemeanor.

  • Shoplifting and theft
  • Driving While Intoxicated (first and second offense)
  • Indecent exposure
  • Prostitution
  • Harassment
  • Unlawful carrying of a weapon
  • Assault with injury
  • Burglary of a vehicle
  • Failure to pay child support
  • Minor drug possession
  • Lying to a police officer

Class C misdemeanors, the least serious misdemeanor offense, are punishable by fine only. Traffic citations like speeding and driving without a license are among the most common fine-only misdemeanor offenses.

A felony is the most serious type of criminal offense. Crimes in this category are reserved for violent and illegal actions that cause physical injury, financial harm, or death to another person. In addition to a prison sentence of over a year, hefty fines are imposed with felonies. The fine for a felony is usually more than a misdemeanor.

Examples of felonies include:

  • Robbery
  • Arson
  • Kidnapping
  • Indecent exposure to a child
  • Intoxication assault
  • Rape
  • Murder
  • Manslaughter
  • Sexual assault
  • Aggravated sexual assault
  • Possession of child pornography
  • Online solicitation of a minor
  • DWI (third offense)
  • Trafficking of persons

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If a plea bargain cannot be reached during the pretrial conference, your trial date will be set. In some cases, it is better idea for a defendant to stand trial rather than take a plea bargain. It all depends on the facts and circumstances of the particular case. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be able to determine your best course of action.

A criminal trial involves opening statements by your defense lawyer and the prosecutor. Witnesses are called and questioned. Evidence is presented. Your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecutor will make closing statements, and the judge will give the jury instructions. After deliberation, the jury announces its guilty or not guilty verdict.

In Texas, the jury’s verdict must be unanimous in order to convict the defendant. If a unanimous vote cannot be reached, a mistrial is declared. If a unanimous guilty vote is reached, sentencing commences. After the verdict has been rendered, your lawyer may attempt a post-trial motion, such as a motion for a new trial.

TESTIMONIALS

Recommendation for Mark LassiterI am pleased to write a letter of recommendation. I highly recommend Mark Lassiter to others who are seeking such assistance. His representation allowed me to do very little in my case. It was Mark’s proven expertise and his legal knowledge that was valuable in getting my case dismissed. In short, I recommend Mark enthusiastically without reservation and I do believe he would be a valuable asset to you.

- Name Redacted

dear Markplease accept this letter on my and Susan’s behalf. there is a powerful message and testimony we would like to share with you for the first time.for over a year the weight of what happened to Reid was heavy on our souls. at first we held great anger, resentment and disgust toward Angel (the passenger). it became evident after turning 21 the Angel has a severe alcohol problem which my son nor us fully understood. The arrest also brought us great disappointment, frustration and disheartenment toward Reid.We have found that God often surprises us with his answers to our prayers. Prior to the arrest was had been in prayer that God help turn Reid away from selfishness, childishness and destructive ways. We prayed that God move to change him toward everlasting values and better choices in his life. We believe that God answered that prayer with the arrest. We blamed ourselves for bringing this calamity but understood it would take something this powerful to reach him. There is no doubt in our minds this ordeal has placed a permanent imprint on his soul.during the many delays associated with this case we were able to put forgiveness in our hearts toward Angel. Also during the many delays the full weight of the case in our and Reid’s mind triggered conversations pertaining to life decisions and direction. Time allowed us the opportunity to be rid of the noise and cloudiness of our emotions. We believe this to be a part of the master plan that God was overseeing.Only today did the full story become revealed. During this case with all the odds against us can we say without question that God was in it. How else could the series of events occurred within the judicial process that could put the opportunity in to your mind that there was a way to victory. The entire morning Susan and i were in fervent prayer even after your told us we had only a 25% chance of winning.Grace is the receipt of a blessing that is undeserved. Reid did not deserve to win today. We all are eternally marked by the message of grace given to us and you were the instrument that brought the gift to our house. Thank you from bottom of our souls and may God bless and keep you all of your days.

- Name Redacted

Dear Mr. Lassiter,Today you saved my son’s life. When he received a DWI, it broke my heart because I knew it would be on his record forever. It would limit his options in life. He would be paying for his stupid mistake for the rest of his life. At 21 years of age he was overwhelmed with the depth of the problem he created for himself.I decided to find him the best lawyer in Dallas, and I did. I researched lawyers for two days, and then I found you. I knew from the moment I read about you that you were the one we needed. When I met you, I knew instantly that I had complete confidence in you. Even if the result had ended with my son being guilty, I would have had peace knowing that he had had THE BEST lawyer.Listening to you “own” the courtroom today was amazing. You told us in the morning that we only had about 25% chance to win; however, by the middle of the afternoon the case was over before the prosecutors even finished, and we won! What an incredible lawyer you are!I will be grateful forever to you. Your work has given my son a second chance. He left the courtroom today with a whole new perspective on life…thanks to you!Very sincerely,

- Susan Ellis

unless you are already a petty criminal with countless B and C misdemeanors and a misdemeanor A pending, a DWI charge might not really matter much – for all the others counts: Fight it with all you got – get the best professional to your side you can find!Why should you? A simple google search “Texas DWI penalties” will give you an idea what you are looking at: prison, probation, fines, classes, ignition interlock, insurance rate skyrockets and a criminal record for life (yes – this can happen even for a first time DWI in Texas) Now if you read until this point you probably are charged with a DWI (or simply board) and you are shopping for a lawyer – so some basic guidance:a) Same as in real life: You want to be surrounded by people who know what they are talking about. Nobody likes people who constantly brag around, through around the usual business buzz words which doesn’t mean anything. So: Get somebody who is specialized in this field, means if 50% or more of his work is in the field of defending DWI’s that’s probably a good indicator– Mark is one of them – talk to him you will see!b) Educate yourself – thanks to a wonderful innovation by DARPA (which you are using in this moment) you can read all about it: What happened the night before, what’s a SFT, what is a legal stop, how does an Intoxilyzer 5000 work and what flaws does it have, possible plea bargain options (not so tempting ones in TX anyway) – read the stuff, it’s out there and discuss it with your attorney – if he doesn’t want or can’t answer your questions, that’s a pretty good indicator that your sitting in the wrong office, run!– Mark WILL answer your questions – and I’m convinced you cannot surprise him with a question in your case that he can’t answer or will find an answer for you!c) Your lawyer should – more or less – from the beginning be willing to take your case to Trial, all the way. What do you have to lose? If you are a BAC 0.28 candidate and you plea it down to a misdemeanor B it technically looks better on paper – but it will still follow you for life (most employers wouldn’t even consider the difference or know it – a DWI is a DWI…) If you are a BAC 0.09 candidate your chances are even better – (did you know the Intoxilyzer 5000 gives himself a +-0.02 calibration margin? What now, is a BAC 0.09 and hour after driving now under the legal limit? Guess what, the state will state “off course NOT! The magic machine proved he’s Intoxicated and guilty!” That’s why you need a lawyer on your side who is willing to take it to trial!– Mark is a trial lawyer – those people don’t want to plea out, they need the courtroom as their stage, that’s what they love to do, that’s what they are good at – so let him do it for you!d) Money / Costs – completely neglect. This is not the time for price comparison. You are not out there to shop for new hardwood floor for your living room – you are out there to get the best possible outcome in a situation which initial will hurt you if convicted pretty bad (financially), possible cost you your job, destroy your reputation and will follow you around for the rest of your natural life.– Mark will not overcharge you for his service, in my opinion you are getting a great deal. If you have the feeling you cannot afford a lawyer like Mark put it into perspective: if you hire a $500 lawyer and plead guilty maybe to a DWI misdemeanor B, you will pay much more over the years in court costs, classes, probation fees, DPS surcharges, insurance and and and… But if you hire Mark, you have one of the best at your side, you have a real chance – off course Mark isn’t a magic wizard who can make everything go away in a moment’s notice, but 5,10,20 years down the road you don’t want to think “oh boy, I wish I would have fought this thing more aggressively back then…” I was already a bit into my case when I met Mark. Mark has a can do attitude, does not try to beat around the bush and most importantly: He looks at things, tries different avenues, seeks out weaknesses in the case base on the evidence presented – if you meet him, you will have the same experience. During our meetings we discussed alternatives and other options e.g. expert witnesses, jury trial, bench trial, plea agreement (even if he didn’t like that – Mark doesn’t want to plea, he wants to win for his clients)And here is the outcome:A clear acquittal – NOT GUILTY(even better than a dismissal which technically can be reopened by the DA within the statute of limitations – if I understood that right – Not guilty means you are not guilty, case expunged – that’s the end of it!)Mark’s services helped me to get the best possible outcome you can expect when you are charged with a (DWI / DUI) crime and I hope I will never see him again….. (under such circumstances J ) –

- Daniel

I would never use or recommend anyone else for anybody else for a criminal manner.

- Cory M.
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