Fighting a Grapevine Charge Requires a Serious Criminal Lawyer

Regionally, Grapevine is known as a tourist destination, with countless people coming in via Dallas-Fort Worth and staying here.

People love enjoying watersports on Lake Grapevine. Holding conventions here. Touring the local wineries. Enjoying the ice skating rink at Grapevine Mills Mall.

There is more to this Dallas suburb, though. In 2007, CNNMoney rated Grapevine as one of the best places to live, and for good reason. Schools here are excellent. The proximity to both Dallas and Fort Worth – not to mention DFW – provides ample access to any “big city” needs that Grapevine is unable to meet on its own. The weather is great.

It also does not hurt that crime here is practically nonexistent – 22% lower than the national mean overall, and 31% lower than Texas. The contrast is even starker when looking at violent crimes, with Grapevine coming in at 63% and 66% lower, respectively.

Unfortunately, Grapevine’s low crime rate can actually make things worse for you if you do find yourself on the wrong side of the law here. Why? Because when an arrest does happen in Grapevine, people notice, which means your reputation is on the line. Even worse, law enforcement officials, politicians, and local businesses all have a vested interest in keeping the crime rate low so that people continue to visit.

This means that they will not hesitate to make an example out of someone in an effort to show how tough on crime they are and deter others from engaging in similar acts. In his years of helping people in and around Grapevine deal with their criminal charges, Jeff Hampton has seen this play out over and over.

If you want the best chance at getting a positive outcome in your case, it is absolutely vital that you work with a knowledgeable Texas defense attorney. Decide to hire Mr. Hampton and he will mount a smart, aggressive defense designed to get your charges reduced, dropped, or dismissed.

What It Takes to Be a Great Criminal Defense Lawyer in Grapevine

Why do so many people charged in Grapevine choose Jeff Hampton to defend them against their criminal charges?

He will fight for your rights. The rights granted to an accused individual under the Constitution provide powerful protection against the potentially oppressive power of the state, so effectively asserting those rights early and often can mean the difference between going home to your family or a prolonged stay behind bars.

One of the most important rights you have is your right to legal representation. Many people believe that either a lawyer will not be able to help them or that the charges are not serious enough to warrant an attorney, but attempting to go it alone in Grapevine is a huge mistake.

The jails and prisons in Texas are filled with people who thought they could talk their way out of criminal charges. However, despite what the police may tell you when they take you into custody, they are not interested in “your side of the story” or “getting to the bottom of things.”

Rather, the focus of law enforcement is to gather evidence that can be used to prove that you committed a criminal offense. While you are required to provide your license and registration when you are stopped on the street or in your vehicle, always avoid answering questions from an officer until your attorney is present.

When you discover that you are the subject of a law enforcement investigation or you have been taken into custody, you should assert your right not to participate in any interrogation and request that your Grapevine criminal defense attorney be present for any questioning.

He is not afraid of going to trial if necessary. While Mr. Hampton’s goal is always to find a way to get your charges dropped, dismissed, or reduced before the trial begins, he will not hesitate to fight it out in front of a judge or jury if he believes it will earn you a better outcome.

That is not always the case with other Texas defense attorneys. Some do everything they can to avoid trial because they simply are not very experienced in or comfortable with the process, but with Jeff Hampton you do not need to worry about that.

He has received wide recognition and acclaim. The National Trial Lawyers has named him to their lists of the Top 40 Under 40 and Top 100 Trial Lawyers for 2014 – 2017. He has received Avvo’s highest score – 10/10 – and been named a Top Attorney DUI & DWI. He is Lead Counsel rated. He has also been listed as a Top Attorney by Fort Worth City Magazine for 2016 – 2017.

These are big, national organizations in the legal field with highly selective criteria, which should give you a sense of how the legal community feels about Jeff Hampton’s work. Which should not be a surprise, because Mr. Hampton is a lawyer who gets results. In the end, that is what really matters.

Grapevine Criminal Charges That Jeff Hampton Can Help You Fight

Of course, all of those things matter a lot less if an attorney does not have a successful track record handling your specific type of crime. Dealing with a DUI is a lot different than building a case against theft charges. Or disorderly conduct. Or indecent exposure.

Thankfully, Mr. Hampton has experience handling a wide range of criminal offenses in Texas, including:

Do not worry if your charge is not listed here. We may still be able to help. To find out for sure, simply reach out to our office and go over the details of your case.

Consequences Associated with Getting Charged in and Around Grapevine

While Grapevine may be a relatively small town, law enforcement officers and prosecutors in our city and throughout Tarrant County take misdemeanor and felony offenses seriously.  If you are charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense in Grapevine or the surrounding areas of Texas, you may face exposure to up to a year of incarceration in county jail and a maximum fine up to $4,000.  A felony conviction can result in very serious penalties, which may include life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or even death if you are charged with a capital crime like first-degree murder.

Other court imposed punishments for a Grapevine criminal conviction include:

  • Damage to your Family Relationships: If you are charged with spousal abuse or some other form of domestic violence, you may be subject to a restraining order that keeps you away from your home, spouse and even your kids.
  • Impaired Right to Live and Travel: Some felony offenses, such as a conviction for a sex offense, may result in restrictions on where you can live, work and travel.  Prospective landlords may discover your criminal conviction when running a criminal records check and refuse to rent to you.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may also be subject to deportation from the country with a permanent bar on your ability to come back to the U.S.  There are other immigration-related consequences that may also impact you if you are not a citizen of the United States.

  • Limitations on Education and Career: A criminal conviction can be an albatross around your neck that is easily discovered by prospective employers who increasingly are conducting background checks before they make hiring decisions.

Depending on the type of criminal offense charged, a conviction can also result in you being disqualified from obtaining entry into certain professions or occupations, including but not limited to law enforcement, the practice of law, teaching, real estate sales/broker, insurance sales, securities trader and many others.

Many students also experience barriers when seeking higher education, such as limitations on student loans and admission.  College students may even be disciplined under their university’s honor code.

Get in Touch with Our Office to Start Battling Your Grapevine Charges Now

If you are facing exposure to felony or misdemeanor charges, you should seek immediate legal representation to minimize the impact of these charges on your future.

Grapevine criminal defense lawyer Jeff Hampton is relentless in his defense of his clients. Whether the facts of your case make pursuit of dismissal or an acquittal the best option or make it more appropriate to pursue a favorable reduction in charges, Mr. Hampton will work diligently to safeguard your future.

Contact us today by calling 817-877-5200 or emailing jeffhampton@thehamptonlawfirm.com. Start fighting for you