San Antonio, TX Gun Crimes Attorney

Experienced State Gun Crimes Defense Lawyer Serving San Antonio, TX

State gun crimes can lead to serious felony charges. If you or someone you know has been charged with a state-level gun offense, securing representation from a strong criminal defense attorney is one of the most important steps you can take. Texas does not take state gun crimes lightly and neither should you. At the Law Offices of Sam H. Lock, we represent clients charged with all types of state gun crimes.

Most often, when police perform a routine traffic stop, a search may be performed if there is reason to believe the driver is a suspect in a crime, and an illegal firearm may be found. Officers may also discover a gun during a stop-and-frisk search and arrest the person on state gun charges.

Whether it was your intent to use the gun or not, or if you routinely carry a gun in your car for added security, it is important to understand that you could potentially face charges for carrying certain types of weapons in certain situations. Texas law does allow people to openly carry handguns or concealed weapons without the requirement to obtain a license to carry (LTC). However, certain people are prohibited from carrying firearms, including people who are intoxicated or people who are restricted from possessing guns due to felony convictions or orders of protection. These people may be charged with gun crimes if they possess firearms.

Gun charges may also apply if firearms are carried in certain restricted locations. These include schools, polling places while voting is taking place, courthouses, businesses with signs that prohibit handguns, amusement parks, and sporting events.

Charges of Assault with a Firearm in Texas

The act of threatening someone with a gun in Texas can come with serious consequences. Depending on the situation, you could be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which is defined as "intentionally and knowingly" inflicting serious bodily harm with a firearm or threatening to do so by brandishing a weapon. Most often, this is charged as a second degree felony, and a conviction could potentially result in up to $10,000 in fines and anywhere from two to 20 years in prison.

There are certain mitigating circumstances that could result in the charge being reduced or dropped. Assault with a deadly weapon is a serious crime, and you should seek professional legal representation if you have been arrested for this offense. A criminal defense lawyer can go over the details of your case with you to determine whether any of the following defenses apply:

• Self-Defense: Drawing and/or discharging your weapon can be legally justified if there was an immediate threat to your well-being or the safety of someone else.
• Lack of Intent: You may be able to demonstrate that you acted without meaning to harm or threaten anyone.
• Mistakes of Fact: The details of the incident could be muddled, leading to false accusations. For instance, you may have been mistaken for someone else, or what someone thought was a gun may have been another item.

In cases of assault with a deadly weapon, you stand a much better chance at a favorable verdict if you have a legal advocate in your corner. Our criminal defense attorney has a deep understanding of the law, and he can anticipate arguments from the prosecution ahead of time, working to ensure that you can avoid a conviction.

Contact Our Experienced San Antonio, Texas State Gun Crimes Defense Lawyer

A conviction following a state gun charge has the potential to ruin your life, and you may face years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. Attorney Sam H. Lock has been practicing law for over 25 years, and he has experience in hundreds of cases, from weapons charges to homicides. He treats clients with a down-to-earth, reasonable attitude, and he is ready to fight to protect your rights.

Contact the Law Offices of Sam H. Lock to determine your best options for defense against state gun law violations. We represent clients from our San Antonio office, including cities throughout Bexar, Comal, Kendall, Medina, and Guadalupe counties. Call us in San Antonio at 210-226-0965 to schedule your initial consultation.