When a person is charged with a crime, the degree of severity of the penalties they may face depends heavily on the specific details of their case and their arrest record. In Texas, if you have already been convicted of two prior crimes at the time of an arrest, you may face a more severe sentencing due to Texas’ three strike law. To avoid the repercussions of Texas’ three strike law after your third arrest, contact a Texas criminal defense lawyer who may be able to get the charges against you reduced or dropped altogether.
Sophia Martinez Law is a Texas criminal defense law firm helping clients build a strong defense when they are at risk of being charged with their third strike conviction. Former Assistant District Attorney Sophia C. Martinez can help you avoid the serious legal repercussions if you are charged with a third strike crime by constructing a solid strategy and using her more than 25 years of defense experience to assist with your defense case.
Understand the Texas Third Strike Law
If you have been arrested for your third felony charge, regardless of the degree, the sentence you may face if you are convicted is drastically enhanced due to the state of Texas’ third strike law. The seriousness or degree of felony committed as the first, second, or third strike does not matter in most cases unless the crime was a state-jail felony. It is important to note that convictions for felonies in other states also count toward the three strike law in Texas.
The penalties in place in the Texas three strike law are not advisory. In fact, while a judge may have some discretion in setting a sentence for anywhere from 25–99 years or for life, that judge may not place a sentence at less than 25 years in order to conform to the mandates of the statute. While the penalties for a third strike felony conviction in Texas are severe, there are some limiting factors to the law that must be abided by:
- The convictions for prior felonies must be final
- The state must provide some notice of an intent to enhance a sentence using the three-strike rule
If you have been convicted of a third strike felony in Texas, the time to appeal the ruling will be limited. That is why it is crucial you have the help of a trusted criminal defense lawyer on your side to ensure your rights and interests are protected as you build a strong defense case.
Can You Defend a Third-Strike Felony Charge in Texas?
To avoid facing the severe penalties of the Texas three strike law, a criminal defense lawyer can help you build a strong defense case. Some common defense strategies for different felony charges include the following:
- Unlawful search and seizure by police
- Entrapment
- Duress
- Self-defense
- Necessity
- Insanity
Regardless of the crime you have been charged with, an experienced Texas lawyer can help you decide your best legal options to protect your rights and interests.
Get Help From a Texas Three Strike Law Defense Lawyer Today
If you are facing serious sentencing due to the Texas three strike law, contact Former Assistant District Attorney Sophia C. Martinez for help building your defense case. Attorney Sophia C. Martinez, a former prosecutor and defense attorney with over 25 years of experience, will work hard to help you get the charges against you reduced or dropped altogether.
To schedule a free evaluation with Attorney Sophia C. Martinez regarding your Texas criminal defense case, contact Sophia Martinez Law today by completing our contact form or giving our firm a call at (210) 226-3000. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also speak Spanish.