Bellaire Criminal Attorney Ready to Help

Bellaire is a small city of about 18,971 people, according to the United States Census Bureau. The city’s residential small-town charm aesthetic has earned it the moniker “City of Homes”. While idyllic and relatively safe, Bellaire does have crime. Similar to the rest of the nation, those who are charged with crimes here have the right to legal defense from an experienced Bellaire criminal defense attorney. Former prosecutor Nathaniel Pitoniak represents those charged with crimes in Bellaire and other parts of Texas. You can learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation with our law office: Call (832) 315-6283 right now.

Practice Areas at the Law Office of Nathaniel Pitoniak

Before his time as a Texas criminal defense lawyer, Nathaniel Pitoniak served as a felony prosecutor and chief prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for over ten years. Nathaniel understands how both sides of the criminal justice system work and he is prepared to represent defendants in a wide variety of criminal cases.

The following is a brief overview of the practice areas at the Law Office of Nathaniel Pitoniak.

Drug Crimes

Drug charges in the state of Texas can carry serious penalties if there is a conviction. In many cases, an experienced Bellaire criminal defense lawyer is an important ally for someone charged with a drug crime. An attorney with experience fighting drug charges can help the defendant understand their legal rights and construct a strong defense. Additionally, criminal defense lawyers can help determine if it may be possible to get the charges reduced or dismissed before trial.

Violent Crimes

There are several different types of violent crime offenses in Texas. Many of these offenses involve severe criminal penalties, including long prison sentences. The criminal defense lawyers at the Law Office of Nathaniel Pitoniak are prepared to represent those charged with all types of violent crimes, such as:

  • Aggravated assault
  • Assault of a family member (domestic violence)
  • Gun charges, including:
    • Unlawfully carrying a firearm
    • Carrying a firearm in a prohibited place, such as a school or polling place
    • Publicly displaying a firearm illegally
    • Illegally owning a firearm (e.g. someone with a felony conviction)
    • Unlawful transfers of firearms
  • Murder

Sex Crimes

A sex crime conviction can have severe lifelong consequences which can affect employment opportunities, housing options, and other important aspects of your life. Our Bellaire sex crime defense lawyers are available to stand by defendants accused of the following crimes:

  • Continuous sexual abuse of a child
  • Indecency with a child
  • Statutory rape
  • Sexual assault
  • Aggravated sexual assault
  • Indecent exposure
  • Improper relationship between an educator and student
  • Public lewdness
  • Invasive visual recording
  • Unlawful disclosure of intimate visual material (aka “revenge porn”)
  • Voyeurism
  • Sexual coercion

White-Collar Crime

The term “white-collar crime” refers to crimes with a financial motivation, which are typically not violent or at least not directly violent. There are several subcategories of white-collar crime:

  • Money laundering
  • Embezzlement
  • Insider trading
  • Fraud
  • Wage theft
  • Labor racketeering
  • Identity theft
  • Copyright infringement
  • Cybercrime
  • Forgery
  • Bribery
  • Ponzi schemes

If you have been charged with a crime related to any of these offenses, you can better understand your legal options by speaking with an experienced white-collar criminal defense lawyer.

Organized Crime

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines organized crime as “a group of individuals with an identified hierarchy, or comparable structure, engaged in significant criminal activity.” There are several different types of criminal charges that could be filed in an organized crime investigation. Many extensive investigations result in federal RICO charges. However, organized crime-related offenses may also be filed at the state or local level.

If you have been charged with any of the following offenses as part of an organized crime investigation, our Bellaire organized crime lawyers may be able to help:

  • Racketeering
  • Illegal gambling operations
  • Loansharking
  • Violent crimes related to racketeering
  • Counterfeiting
  • Drug trafficking
  • Embezzlement
  • Murder and murder-for-hire
  • Bribery
  • Kidnapping
  • Arson
  • Unlawful use of a passport

Misdemeanors

According to Texas law, a misdemeanor is a criminal offense punishable by no more than one year in a local or county jail. Misdemeanors can fall into three types of classifications:

  • Class A – The highest-level misdemeanor class, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
  • Class B – The second-most severe misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
  • Class C – The lowest-level misdemeanor charge in Texas, punishable by a fine of up to $500.

While not as serious as a felony charge, those charged with misdemeanors should also consider speaking with an experienced Bellaire criminal defense lawyer.

Theft

Theft-related offenses can either be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances of the case. The following are some of the various types of theft charges under Texas state law:

  • Possession of stolen property
  • Simple theft
  • Cargo theft
  • Theft of service
  • Theft of trade secrets
  • Theft by check
  • Tampering with identification numbers
  • Unauthorized use of a vehicle
  • Organized retail theft
  • Cargo theft
  • Illegal acquisition of financial information

When to Consider Hiring a Bellaire Criminal Defense Attorney

In Texas (as well as all other states), those charged with crimes have the right to an attorney under the law. A criminal defense lawyer with experience defending clients in the same type of charges you face can prove beneficial in several ways. He or she can draw on their past experience in similar cases to present a strong possible defense. Sometimes, this defense could result in reduced or dismissed charges before trial. In other situations, an experienced criminal defense lawyer may be able to present a successful defense at trial that results in an acquittal. While there is no guarantee of success, it is important to consider visiting with an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure you understand all of your legal options.

Bellaire criminal defense lawyer Nathaniel Pitoniak is prepared to help defendants understand their charges and their legal options under the law. You can learn more about your rights and possible defense options in a free consultation: contact the Law Office of Nathaniel Pitoniak today at (832) 315-6283.