Basic Texas Criminal Law Information
Civil law involves private law suits between two or more private individuals, businesses or other legal entities. Criminal law involves a private individual and the State of Texas or the United States Federal Government. In criminal law matters, criminal charges are filed by the State of Texas or by the Federal Government through a prosecutor. Another important distinction between civil law and criminal law is the standard of proof. In order to prevail in a civil case, the plaintiff must typically demonstrate by 51% that the defendant is responsible for the plaintiff's injuries. In a criminal law case, the prosecutor must demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the person charged with the crime actually committed the crime. The standard of proof in a criminal case is considerably higher than that used in a civil case. In a criminal case, the criminal defense lawyer attempts to persuade a judge or jury that the prosecutor has failed to meet their burden of proof.
Criminal defense lawyers represent individuals who are being prosecuted by the State of Texas or the Federal Government for an act that has been classified as a crime. What constitutes a crime is defined in the Texas Penal Code and by Federal Statutes. Statutes are rules or laws that define what type of conduct is illegal. Crimes are generally classified as "misdemeanors" (less serious offenses that are normally punishable by a fine like some traffic violations, petty theft cases, or possession of a small amount of marijuana) or "felonies" (more serious offenses that warrant imprisonment of one or more years, such as rape, grand theft, assault and battery, assault with a deadly weapon, or homicide/murder). Drunk Driving criminal defense lawyer Harold J. Danford has successfully negotiated and litigated both misdemeanor and felony Drunk Driving and Drunk Driving related crimes.
If you or someone you know in Kerrville, Texas or a surrounding area including Bandera, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Junction, Mason, Menard or Brady has been arrested or charged with Drunk Driving and needs the assistance of an experienced Texas Drunk Driving criminal defense lawyer, then contact Drunk Driving criminal defense lawyer Harold J. Danford at 888-260-5339 or via his convenient contact form provided.