Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Garland Garland is located on the northeast side of Dallas and is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It spans Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall counties. The area has over 2,800 acres of parkland broken up into 63 parks and is home to Amberton University and Dallas College.

But no matter how idyllic an area may look on the outside, things still happen. If you find yourself on the receiving end of an arrest, accusation, or criminal charge, you need experienced and skilled representation to protect your rights and your freedom.

The legal team at the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter has experience with a wide variety of criminal cases, and we stand ready to help you. Call our office today at (214) 845-7007 for a free initial consultation where we will discuss the details of your case and advise you on your next best steps. If you have pressing questions about your case, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced legal team today.

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garland, tx

Why Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

If you are accused of or charged with a crime, it can have permanent life-altering effects on your life and those of your friends and family. It is an unfortunate reality that the mere accusation of a crime can result in failed relationships, job loss, and difficulty renting an apartment.

However, with the help of an experienced attorney, you may have the charges reduced or dismissed. Without legal representation, you’re unlikely to get the best results in your case. While it’s true that you may be offered a public defender to represent you, these are often experienced lawyers who have an overwhelming caseload. The sheer amount of work they must accomplish means they’re often unable to understand the details of your case and investigate the charges.

We always recommend that if you’re accused of a crime, it’s crucial to seek experienced legal guidance from an aggressive Dallas criminal defense attorney. The legal process in Texas is complicated and daunting. Our legal team can handle the negotiations with the prosecutor’s office, the paperwork, and the phone calls necessary to navigate the system.

We understand that there are several criminal defense attorneys from which to choose in Garland, Texas. Like other professionals, not all defense attorneys have the same skills and experience. Ultimately, you’re looking for an attorney who can deliver exceptional results and has a successful record of handling cases.

Our office has represented thousands of people throughout the state of Texas and garnered a national reputation for excellent service. We have consistently been chosen as Texas Super Lawyers and ranked by the National Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Lawyer.

In the legal system, you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately, in our society, you may be treated as guilty until you’re proven innocent. Our aggressive criminal defense attorneys are committed to providing you with the best defense possible and fighting for your rights and freedoms.

criminal law

Practice Areas

When you’re choosing a criminal defense attorney, it’s important to find one that has experience with the criminal charges that you are facing. Understanding the nuances in case law can make a significant difference in your case.

Our team of criminal defense attorneys has experience in several areas, which offers our clients a significant benefit. We are ready to put our considerable experience to work for you if you’re facing any of the following charges:

What to Do if You Are Arrested

It can be overwhelming and frustrating when you’re involved with the criminal justice system. It’s important to remember that you have rights even after being arrested, and it’s up to the police to preserve those rights. If your rights have been violated, the court may dismiss the charges against you. There are several steps that you should and should not take after being arrested.

Do not say anything without your attorney present. During your arrest, the police must read your rights to you. One of those rights is the right to remain silent. It’s important you do not try to convince law enforcement of your innocence. You may inadvertently say something that can be used against you later. The only thing you should say is that you want to speak with your lawyer.

Be respectful. Police officers have a job to do. If you’re quiet, respectful, and do not try to flee the scene, your actions improve the impression the court system has of you.

Refuse to allow the police to search without a warrant. Immediately after an arrest, a police officer has the right to do a limited search. However, they cannot do a thorough search without having a warrant. For example, if you are arrested while driving your car, the officer can search you for things that might harm them, but they cannot do a general search of your car without a warrant unless they have probable cause to believe they will find evidence of a crime.

Stay calm. Some people panic when they’re placed in handcuffs. It’s crucial you do not try to resist and do not become aggressive.

Hire an experienced Garland criminal defense attorney. You have the right to have an attorney to represent you, protect your rights, and protect your freedom.

Contact the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter Today for a Free Case Evaluation

If you have been arrested, charged, or know that you are being investigated for a crime, contact the Garland criminal defense attorneys of the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter today. Our legal team takes the time to get to know our clients and the details of their cases. We never assume the facts and instead develop a personalized plan to meet your goals.

It’s difficult to say how long the process will take. The time it takes depends on several factors, such as the crime you’re accused of, whether it’s a felony or misdemeanor, and whether it’s a federal or state charge.

The legal team at the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter will fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed. If a plea bargain cannot be reached or if it’s not in your best interest to take a plea bargain, our team is prepared to aggressively fight your case in court. Call our Dallas criminal defense attorneys today at (214) 845-7007, or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation.

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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