Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Addison If you were charged or arrested for a criminal offense in Addison, Texas, contact the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter immediately for legal representation. We might be able to defend you against the charge you face and pursue a reduced sentence or work to get your case dismissed.

After an arrest, you face an uncertain future. It can be challenging to defend yourself against an aggressive and intimidating prosecutor. You shouldn’t have to go through legal proceedings alone. Our team is ready to advocate for your rights and fight to secure your freedom.

At the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we believe everyone deserves quality representation during a criminal case. We can review the circumstances of the offense and create a plan to provide an adequate defense in court. Your Addison criminal defense lawyer will remain in your corner and give you the guidance and support you need to navigate the complex process.

For a free case evaluation, call the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter at (214) 845-7007 today.

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Why You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney

You might think you can handle your defense without hiring a lawyer. Many people believe they can stand up to the prosecutor in court and prove their own case, especially when charged with a misdemeanor offense. Unfortunately, unrepresented defendants often face unfair convictions and harsher penalties. If you don’t know your rights or how to handle the legal process, you could make an error that lands you behind bars.

The Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter has defended clients since 2006. We know how to create a solid defense strategy for any type of crime. Whether you face charges for a minor infraction or serious criminal activity, you can depend on us to put our knowledge and experience to work for you.

Your best chance of getting your charges dropped or sentencing reduced is to let a criminal defense lawyer in Addison, TX, from the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter take on the responsibility for your case. Our team will tirelessly work to locate witnesses, gather evidence, and develop an argument to disprove the prosecution’s theories. We are aggressive in our methods and will use all available resources to provide the defense you deserve.

Why Hire the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter?

The Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter holds a 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo. We have also received recognition from various organizations, including Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers. We have maintained a stellar reputation within our community and strive to offer dependable legal services to clients.

We understand the far-reaching consequences of a criminal arrest. It can negatively impact every part of your life. Upon your release from prison, you can face obstacles when you look for work and a place to live. Even if you’re exonerated of all charges, you could struggle with a ruined reputation and a long road to redemption.

When you hire the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, you can expect a dedicated and trusted criminal defense lawyer in Addison, TX, to fight for your future. We have represented thousands of clients since opening our firm. Our team takes a personalized approach to tackle the unique circumstances of each case we handle.

Our Practice Areas

The Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter knows what it takes to defend you against the charges you face. We can represent our clients in a range of legal matters, including:

Don’t let your future rest in the hands of an inexperienced criminal defense attorney. Reach out to the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter immediately to determine your available legal options and learn what we can do for you.

Texas Penalties for Criminal Offenses

There are two categories for criminal charges in Texas, depending on the type of offense committed. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime, while a felony is more serious. Felonies typically come with harsher punishments, such as longer prison terms.

Common types of misdemeanor crimes include:

Petty theft
DWI (first offense)
Disorderly conduct
Certain traffic-related offenses
Drug crimes involving a small quantity of a controlled substance

Common types of felony offenses include:

Aggravated robbery
Manslaughter
Indecency with a child
Sexual assault
Third offense DWI

The judge must follow sentencing guidelines when determining the sentence they should impose for a criminal conviction. Penalties depend on the classification of the offense and factors associated with the crime.

A class C misdemeanor is punishable by up to a $500 fine.

Sentencing for a class B misdemeanor can include:

A maximum of 180 days in jail,
Up to a $2,000 fine; or
Both.

A class A misdemeanor can result in a sentence of:

No more than a $4,000 fine;
Up to one year in jail; or
Both.

A state jail felony is punishable by:

A maximum of a $10,000 fine
Between 180 days and two years in state jail

If convicted of a third-degree felony, the penalty could include:

Up to a $10,000 fine
Between two and ten years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Sentencing for a second-degree felony can involve:

At least two years but no more than 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
A maximum of a $10,000 fine

A first-degree felony can come with penalties, such as:

No more than a $10,000 fine
Between five and 99 years imprisonment or a life sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Repeat and habitual offenders in Texas can face enhanced sentencing. Instead of receiving a punishment based on state guidelines, the court could increase the prison term based on the defendant’s criminal past. For example, if you were convicted of a previous felony and currently face charges of a second-degree felony, you could receive penalties based on first-degree felony guidelines.

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Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Addison

When you face criminal charges, you likely worry about whether you’ll be forced to spend time behind bars. Any amount of time in prison can severely affect your livelihood in the future. A conviction becomes a matter of public record for anyone to find with a simple internet search. A potential landlord, employer, or university could see your criminal past and deny your application.

At the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we aim to provide clients with the best possible defense they can receive. Our legal team is ready to prepare a strategy and attempt to create doubt in the juror’s minds so they cannot find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. We want to ensure you have a fair chance at a fresh start and a productive future.

If you were arrested or charged with a crime, call the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter right now at (214) 845-7007, or contact us online for your free consultation with an Addison criminal defense lawyer.

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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