<![CDATA[San Antonio Law Blog]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2013-03-21:/blog/83429 2020-05-01T12:39:04Z Movable Type Enterprise <![CDATA[Is there ever a reason to ask for sole custody?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3925770 2020-05-01T12:40:04Z 2020-05-01T12:39:04Z Texas uses the term "conservator" to describe the parent(s) in charge of managing a child's care and making decisions about where the child will live, but the state operates much like other states when it comes to allocating those responsibilities. Ideally, the state usually prefers to have both parents involved in a child's care as much as possible.

Is there ever a reason, then, for the court to give one parent sole conservatorship? Is there a good reason for a parent to ask?

]]> Sometimes, having both parents actively involved in a child's life really isn't "in the best interests of the child" no matter which way you look at it. These include situations where:

  1. One parent is incarcerated: A parent who is in prison for an extended period can't provide a home for a child or make decisions about their care. Depending on the situation, engaging with that parent may actually be detrimental to the child's mental health.
  2. A parent has abandoned the child: Sometimes a parent seemingly disappears. Maybe they have problems that cause them to drop off the official radar or maybe they're trying to avoid paying child support. Either way, that doesn't make for a good parent-child relationship.
  3. A parent has a mental illness or substance abuse problem: Serious mental illness and substance abuse can both cause altered mental states and poor life choices -- and could put a defenseless child at risk.
  4. A parent is neglectful or abusive: Abuse can be physical, mental or emotional, while neglect generally means failing to provide a child with the basic necessities, like adequate food, shelter, clothing, education and medical care.

If you think that any of these situations apply to your divorce and custody case, make sure that you have a conversation with your advocate early about the possibility of sole conservatorship.

<![CDATA[What's intoxication assault in Texas?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3921629 2020-04-17T06:58:33Z 2020-04-17T06:57:33Z You were out, having fun, and you had a few drinks. You figured you were fine to drive, however, because you didn't particularly feel drunk.

You weren't actually fine, however, and someone got badly hurt. Now, you're facing charges of "intoxication assault."

]]> Most of the time, drunk driving will get you charged with a DWI (driving while intoxicated), which is definitely serious. A charge of intoxication assault is even more serious, however, and is reserved for times when someone is badly hurt as a result of the intoxicated driver's accidental actions or mistakes.

Texas Penal Code § 49.07 specifically defines intoxication assault as a third-degree felony under most circumstances, although it is possible for the charges to be elevated to an even more serious felony.

You can be charged with intoxicated assault after:

  • Boating while intoxicated
  • Flying an aircraft while intoxicated
  • Operating an amusement park ride while intoxicated
  • Assembling a moving amusement ride while intoxicated

It doesn't matter if the victim was a passenger and friend who was along for the ride or a total stranger, as long as they suffered a serious bodily injury -- which means they either have permanent disfigurements, have lost the use of a body part or nearly died.

Without any elevation of the charges, a third-degree felony charge of intoxicated assault can net you up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. (It's also important to mention that voluntary intoxication is never considered a viable defense.)

Building a defense to these kinds of charges requires an experienced approach that focuses on the facts of the case, the evidence the police were able to gather and the way that the law is written. If you're facing charges, find out how to best protect your interests.

<![CDATA[What is a 'criminal defense strategy'?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3917599 2020-04-03T15:12:25Z 2020-04-03T15:11:25Z You're probably thinking, "What kind of strategy can a criminal defendant actually have? Either you're guilty or you're not, right?"

Not exactly. Under the American legal system, you're innocent until proven guilty -- which places a substantial burden on the prosecution. It's always wise to remember that cases sometimes aren't so much about what happened as they may be about "what the prosecution can prove."

]]> If you've been charged with a crime, your defense attorney will discuss all of the potential strategies for your defense. That may include things like:

  • Denying your involvement entirely: This includes cases when an eyewitness misidentifies you or you have a ready alibi that proves you couldn't be guilty.
  • Admitting the action, but denying that it was criminal in nature: One example might include admitting that you battered someone or even killed them, but you claim it was a necessary act of self-defense, although this may also be an important tactic for financial crimes.
  • Admitting the actions but explaining the mitigating circumstances: This includes cases like those where someone accidentally starts a fire while intoxicated and ends up charged with arson.
  • Admitting to part of the charges but denying the rest: For example, this tactic might be used if you're caught with drugs and you're willing to admit that they were yours but deny that you intended to sell them to others.
  • Refusing to admit or deny anything: This is sometimes appropriate if the prosecution's case is particularly weak or built on questionable evidence.

Exactly which tactic is best to take for your defense is something that you'll discuss with your attorney early on in your case -- although defense strategies can change as more information becomes available.

<![CDATA[How do you prepare for a divorce?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3912855 2020-03-19T18:17:45Z 2020-03-19T18:16:45Z You know a split is coming -- you just aren't sure who is going to make the first move. Maybe your spouse will walk out in a week or two, or maybe you'll find your way to a divorce attorney's office first.

Either way, it's time to get prepared. That means taking a good look at your financial documents and getting things in order. Many divorcing couples could avoid a lot of unpleasantness by taking stock of their household assets and financial concerns before they start making plans for the future -- or demands in the divorce.

]]> Here's how to get started:

1. Get a filing system going

If you're already pretty organized, this is no big deal. If you're somewhat lax about paperwork or normally let your spouse handle it, this can be a challenge.

An organized filing system can help you find important papers quickly, spot something that may be missing and respond to requests from your attorney fairly quickly.

2. Gather up all the paperwork

You can't get a clear picture of your financial situation without all of the information. You need to find and copy:

  • Tax returns
  • Payroll slips
  • Business organization paperwork
  • Bank statements
  • Investment statements
  • Retirement fund papers
  • Real estate deeds
  • Mortgage documents
  • Private loan papers
  • Credit card statements
  • Insurance policies
  • Wills and trusts
  • Insurance valuation papers on art, furs, jewelry and other expensive assets
  • Premarital agreements

When in doubt, it's better to make a copy and have it than to need it later, so err on the side of caution.

3. Divide the property into marital and non-marital assets

This may not be something you can do alone. Nonmarital assets are generally not subject to division in a divorce, while marital assets are. If you're uncertain, make notes about when the property was acquired and how so that you can discuss it later with your representative.

As difficult as it may be to start to focus on the practical aspects of your marital split right now, you'll be glad later that you did.

<![CDATA[Do you anticipate having to fight for custody of your kids?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3911179 2020-03-13T13:31:34Z 2020-03-13T13:30:34Z When you got married, you may never have anticipated ending up in a situation that would involve having to fight for your kids. However, your marriage did not turn out as happily as you had hoped, and though you, your spouse and your kids were happy for a time, the marital relationship began to see significant issues that led to the need for divorce.

Though you consider yourself a good parent, you may anticipate facing a difficult child custody ordeal during your divorce. If your soon-to-be ex intends to take a revenge approach to divorce, you may already know that he or she will attempt to use the kids against you.

]]> Seeking sole custody

One of the biggest ways that parents try to use the children to hurt the other parent is by seeking sole custody. Though joint custody is becoming considered the better option more often, it does not mean that courts will not award sole custody. Still, even in cases where the court does award sole physical custody, both parents often retain legal custody.

In your situation, the other parent also wants to obtain sole legal custody and essentially make it as difficult as possible for you to make decisions for your children. It is important to note that the court will likely not award such custody unless evidence exists that you are an unfit parent or that your decision-making skills could harm the children. Still, that does not mean that you will not have to put up a fight to maintain your parental rights.

Negative aspects of sole legal custody

In cases involving an unfit parent, sole legal custody could benefit the children. However, if your case does not warrant such an arrangement, it could negatively affect your kids. They may begin to see you as less important because you do not have as much involvement in their lives, and they may deal with certain stress and strain from only having one parent make important decisions. Of course, you could also feel resentment and discouraged if the other parent receives sole custody.

Fortunately, you can put your best foot forward and work toward the custody outcomes that you believe best suit the needs and well-being of your children. It may seem difficult at times, but with the right information and the support of a Texas family law attorney, you may feel more confident in approaching your case.

<![CDATA[What are some examples of tax evasion?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3909295 2020-03-05T07:57:25Z 2020-03-05T07:56:25Z The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn't consider every failure to pay the correct taxes an act of fraud. Plenty of people make mistakes on their tax returns simply because they don't fully understand them. Others are simply poor bookkeepers. Some rely heavily on the person they hire to prepare their returns for them and never have a clue that the taxes aren't being properly paid until the IRS comes calling.

So, what exactly is tax evasion?

]]> Tax evasion is a type of fraud, usually accomplished through various means of deception. It's not only illegal, but it's also a federal crime that can leave a felony on your record, send you to prison for up to five years and net you up to $250,000 in fines and other costs.

Tax evasion can include acts like:

  • Paying your help under the table. Maybe you have an employee or two who is working "off the books." While that can be convenient for everyone involved, that's actually cheating the IRS out of taxes. So is paying your nanny or your day maid in cash and not reporting it.
  • Failing to pay capital gains on your bitcoin or other e-currency. A lot of people thought that cryptocurrency couldn't be taxed -- but the IRS is very clear that it must be included when you file. Trying to hide it will get you into trouble for certain.
  • Hiding income from illegal activities. If something makes you income, it's considered taxable. It doesn't matter to the IRS if the source of that income is something like prostitution or drug deals -- it still needs to be reported.
  • Hiding cash transactions. If you have a business that sees a lot of cash transactions, it may be tempting to keep that money hidden -- but that could spell disaster if the IRS starts looking closely at your books.

Tax evasion is a serious offense that can result in prison time. It's smart to get legal help the moment that the specter of a tax investigation has been raised.

<![CDATA[Can you move out of Texas with your child following divorce?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3901330 2020-02-18T16:57:25Z 2020-02-18T16:56:25Z When you're going through a divorce, you automatically have to reassess your plans and goals. It's time to let go of the picture you had of your future while married and embrace a different one.

For many people, that means relocating. Maybe you want to go back to your hometown. Maybe you want to move somewhere to get a better education or a different job. There are a dozen different reasons you may want to move away from your current location, but that can be a complicated prospect if you share a child with your soon-to-be ex.

]]> You can't simply pull up stakes and take your child with you -- even if you have primary physical custody. Texas conforms to the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, which prevents a parent from relocating with their child far away from the other parent without the court's approval. Violating that rule could subject you to fines (or jail) and affect your custody rights.

So, what can you do?

If you know early you intend to move after the divorce

If you're pretty sure that you want to move away after the divorce, make it part of your negotiations. You may have to adjust your expectations regarding custody -- or develop a clear plan to help your ex and your child maintain a good relationship despite the distance.

If you don't know until after the divorce that you want to move

Once custody and visitation are settled, you have to go back to court to ask for a modification of the order. This will mean explaining to the judge why you want to move and framing your argument that you should be allowed to take your child with you in terms that explain how doing so will actually benefit your child.

For example, if you want to be near your family, you might explain to the judge that your special needs child requires a lot of care -- and that your parents are willing to provide it if you move. That's a direct benefit to your child, so it could sway the court in your favor.

If you have a question about child custody and relocation, don't hesitate to seek more information.

<![CDATA[3 reasons eyewitness testimony is unreliable]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3921197 2020-02-07T18:25:47Z 2020-04-14T19:29:40Z Police and prosecutors alike love eyewitness testimony. If someone says they saw you commit a crime, you can bet that authorities are going to train all of their attention on you -- maybe to the exclusion of any other evidence that doesn't fit with that witness's statements.

Here's the thing: Eyewitnesses are notoriously unreliable. Here are three reasons eyewitness testimony isn't all that reliable:

]]> 1. The interaction between the human eye and the brain is complicated.

What was the lighting like at the time of the crime? How far away was the eyewitness? What else were they doing when the incident started? Was a weapon involved? All of these things (and a lot more) can affect what human beings focus on during an event, what they actually see and what their brains record. Often, there are gaps in what the human eye can see -- and the brain takes over and fills in the blanks in order to make sense of a scene. The resulting picture can be distorted.

2. Human memories can change and are open to suggestions.

Studies have shown that memories shift as events are reflected upon and recalled. Important details get lost, and new details can be added. This makes human beings particularly susceptible to suggestions. Police detectives intent on finding evidence of someone's guilt may purposefully or accidentally try to shape those memories.

3. By the time the trial rolls around, eyewitnesses often just "repeat the story."

People often try to create a coherent narrative of events in their mind -- but that story is influenced by the telling. After an eyewitness has been questioned dozens of times and asked to repeat the same information, they may develop a narrative that feels complete while simultaneously forgetting much of the details. They no longer actively recall the events they saw. They just repeat what they've already been saying.

If you've been accused of a violent crime and there's eyewitness testimony, don't assume that your case is lost. There are many ways for an experienced defense attorney to show that an eyewitness may be wrong.

<![CDATA[Are criminal justice reforms coming to Texas?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3890013 2020-01-23T17:06:46Z 2020-01-23T17:05:46Z Texas has long been the land where criminal justice is thought of as swift and unyielding -- but that may be changing. Is Texas about to take a more progressive approach toward criminal justice?

Here's what to expect in 2020:

]]> Possible bail reforms

The cash bail system is widely criticized because it often forces poor defendants to sit in jail for low-level crimes while they wait on a trial. As a result, many just give up and plead guilty to get back to their lives.

While major bail reforms are still working their way through the system, there has been progress on local levels. Activists and lawmakers are hoping that they can enact changes on a broader scale later in the year.

Mental health awareness among law enforcement

The authorities are finally catching on to the idea that there's a lot more to be gained by getting people with mental health issues the treatment they need instead of just tossing them in jail every time there's an issue. Several Texas cities are allocating funds for additional mental health caseworkers and treatment programs instead of prison.

Leniency for certain offenders

America has a mass incarceration problem -- and a lot of that has been driven by draconian measures toward drug crimes. Prosecutors in many progressive areas are starting to take a new view, however, toward low-level crimes, like marijuana possession. The goal is to keep essentially harmless offenders out of prison while putting more of the state's resources toward combating serious crimes.

If you've been charged with a crime in Texas, don't trust your future to chance. Learn how an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

<![CDATA[Is your spouse playing dirty during your divorce?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3889090 2020-01-20T14:41:34Z 2020-01-20T14:40:34Z Not every divorce can be the mutual, amicable parting many struggling couples hope for. Those spouses who opt for calmer methods of divorce, such as mediation, may still find there are topics that raise their ire or bring out the worst in their partners. Ideally, even in a litigated divorce, both sides can remain civil as they fight for what they want.

You cannot always guarantee this will be the case. You may think you know your spouse well, but when a marriage begins to fall apart, it is not easy to predict how one spouse may react if he or she feels wronged or blindsided. For this reason, you will want to be alert for any of the common ways an embittered spouse may try to retaliate during the divorce process.

]]> Watch for these tactics

Some tactics a grieving or vindictive spouse may take against a partner during a divorce can create a lifetime of struggle and hurt. You may see the signs, such as your spouse threatening to make you sorry or insisting he or she will do anything to gain the upper hand. Often these schemes involve the children, but even if your divorce does not involve children, you will want to watch for any of the following:

  • Running up your legal fees by forcing you to communicate through your individual attorneys to discuss the terms of the divorce
  • Filing unreasonable petitions to drag out the process and cost you money
  • Refusing to continue paying his or her share of the household expenses, such as the mortgage and utility payments
  • Refusing to deliver court-ordered support until the latest possible moment in the grace period
  • Running up outrageous debt on joint credit cards or cards with authorized access
  • Emptying your joint bank accounts

If you do have kids, your spouse may refuse to allow you access to them during the divorce, which can greatly affect your bid for custody. More seriously, your spouse may try to deny you parenting time by petitioning for full custody or even accusing you of mistreating the children.

This is not the time to take such actions lightly or to blame them on your spouse's emotions. Instead, you would be wise to bring any negative actions or threats to the attention of your Texas attorney who can take legal steps to protect you and work to obtain a fair and just divorce order or settlement.

<![CDATA[Did the holidays make you realize your marriage is broken?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2020:/blog//83429.3880186 2020-01-07T21:58:42Z 2020-01-07T21:57:42Z The holiday season can be, for many people, kind of intense. There's a lot of financial and social stressors occurring simultaneously, along with tons of "family togetherness." You're also bombarded with images of what the holidays (and a marriage) should be like. All that can make you keenly aware of how your own situation fails to measure up in comparison.

That's why the Monday of the first full week in January has gained a reputation as "divorce day," as many disillusioned spouses make their first trek to a family law attorney's office seeking a divorce. Indeed, all of January typically sees an uptick in the number of people who decide to end their marriages.

]]> If you're among the many people facing the reality that their marriage is somehow broken, take heart: Divorce is definitely not the worst that can happen. In fact, you may ultimately find it freeing.

Here are some questions you should ask yourself before taking the next step:

  • What are your primary concerns with divorce? Are they related to finances, e.g., the money you need to start over in a new place or a fair division of the marital property? Are you mostly concerned about the custody of your children? Knowing your focus can help you decide where to expend your energy.
  • Do you think your spouse will accept the divorce? If your spouse is amenable to a peaceful parting, it may be possible to get a dissolution or use mediation to end your marriage. Both can be less costly and less traumatic than a litigated divorce. If you don't believe your spouse will work with you, however, it's important to consider the possibility of a litigated divorce from the start.
  • How ready are you for the changes? Once you set a divorce in motion, things can happen rather quickly. Make sure that you are emotionally, financially and physically prepared for the shift. Make copies of all of your financial documents, set up a new bank account and gather up your essential personal items just in case you have to make a quick exit.

If you're ready to end an unhappy marriage, contact our office today to learn how we can help.

<![CDATA[Texas man's case highlights flaws in DNA evidence]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2019:/blog//83429.3875479 2019-12-26T20:04:13Z 2019-12-26T20:03:13Z Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing has long been heralded as the "gold star" of evidence among both law enforcement officers and juries. In a world where television magic has convinced most people that DNA is always subjected to exacting tests and provides incontrovertible evidence of someone's guilt or innocence, it's easy to understand why jurors convicted a Texas man of murder based on the genetic material found under the victim's fingernails.

The problem is that the defendant was innocent. However, it took nine years for members of the Innocence Project to prove it and get a judge to listen. In the meantime, the defendant languished in jail -- only being released under strict conditions once it became clear that someone else had committed the crime for which he was convicted.

]]> What happened? The DNA analysis that was done by the court-approved lab before the man's 2012 trial was flawed. More advanced technology and a second look by another lab allowed investigators to find the correct DNA sequence and match it to another man through a national genetic database. That man has since confessed to the murder and is guilty of several crimes since.

This case highlights something defense attorneys have known for a long time: DNA evidence isn't nearly as exact and reliable as most people think. DNA from several different donors can be comingled, leading to mistakes in analysis. A partial DNA sequence can also lead to incorrect results. Combined with mistaken witnesses and faulty, high-pressure police interrogation techniques, DNA isn't nearly as infallible as anyone would like to believe.

If you've been charged with a violent crime, protect your future. Obtain experienced legal representation right away.

<![CDATA[How do you survive a medical fraud investigation?]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2019:/blog//83429.3868288 2019-12-13T02:48:11Z 2019-12-13T02:47:11Z When you do business with the government, the government is inclined to take a pretty close look at any discrepancies or red flags. That's a major concern if your medical office participates in the Medicaid and/or Medicare programs.

Medical fraud is estimated to cost billions each year through things like:

  • Billing for services that were never provided
  • Upcoding, or charging for a more expensive procedure than the one actually performed
  • Filing fraudulent claims for reimbursement
  • "Unbundling," or filing individual charges for treatments that are usually billed together to pad the bill
  • Ping-ponging a patient back and forth between doctors unnecessarily to increase their bill
  • Providing unnecessary testing or treatments
]]> It's not just doctors who get caught up in a Medicaid or Medicare fraud investigation, however. Virtually anybody who works in the medical office where fraud is suspected can be accused of having their hands in the government's cookie jar. Even those who are totally innocent of wrong-doing often have a difficult time proving it.

To survive a Medicare or Medicaid fraud investigation, play it smart. The moment that you know that an investigation is in process, take steps to protect your rights and preserve your future.

The number one thing that you need to remember is that you shouldn't talk to investigators alone. They wouldn't be speaking to you unless they either believe you have information that they want or that you're guilty of wrong-doing. Nothing you can say is likely to dissuade them of that belief without evidence.

An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you deal with investigators and protect your rights.

<![CDATA[5 reasons to end your marriage]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2019:/blog//83429.3865134 2019-11-28T21:01:51Z 2019-11-28T21:00:51Z Marriage can be messy. Keeping a relationship healthy and happy requires a lot of work over time. Some spouses simply fall out of love over time if they change in different ways or were just temperamentally ill-suited to be together.

Here are five ways to recognize that your marriage is over:

]]> 1. You no longer care what happens.

If you can't muster any kind of strong feelings about your spouse at all, that's a sure sign that your relationship is emotionally over already. Fighting with your spouse over something important may not feel good, but it at least requires some sort of passion. If you just no longer care what your spouse does, you've probably already mentally "checked out."

2. You fight over everything and anything.

This happens a lot when a lovestruck couple gets married despite their incompatabilities. Those incompatabilities grow and become more obvious once the fervor of "new love" fades. Dramatic fights within the first year of marriage are a bad sign and a clue that you and your spouse aren't meant to be.

3. Your goals are woefully mismatched.

If you want a quiet existence and kids, but your spouse would rather live a bohemian life and remain childless, that's not something that can be worked out through compromises. Major differences in your value systems don't make for a happy marriage. One of you will have to sacrifice too much and may grow resentful.

4. You've grown to loathe your spouse.

Maybe your spouse has come to despise you in return. If you and your spouse resent each other and feel contempt toward each other, that's a deal-breaker.

5. You don't feel complete with your spouse.

Your spouse should be your friend, your family and your romantic interest. If any of those three are missing, it can be difficult to feel like you're fullfilled in your marriage.

If your marraige "feels over," it probably is. Talk to a family law attorney about what steps you should take next.

<![CDATA[Assault charges in Texas are not to be taken lightly]]> tag:www.brownandbrownlawoffices.com,2019:/blog//83429.3864353 2019-11-25T22:51:42Z 2019-11-25T22:50:42Z Many people go their entire lives without getting into a serious physical altercation with another person. You may have expected that you would live your life in such a manner, but unfortunately, that is not how it worked out for you. Now, you are in trouble with the law.

Whether you had a few too many drinks and ended up in an altercation with another person or were defending yourself from someone else who had a few too many, you have legal options if authorities have charged you with assault and battery. In order to understand those legal options, you may first want to understand the charges you face.

]]> Texas state law

Laws regarding assault and battery vary from state to state. In Texas, if authorities charge you with assault, they must prove at least one of the following scenarios occurred:

  • You intentionally or knowingly threatened another person with imminent bodily harm.
  • You intentionally, knowingly or recklessly caused bodily harm to another person.
  • You intentionally or knowingly caused physical contact with another person knowing that the other person would perceive that contact as provocative or offensive.

Additionally, if the altercation resulted in serious bodily injury or you used a weapon during the altercation, it is likely that a charge for aggravated assault will result.

Classifications of the charges

The type of charge can also range in severity after such an incident. It is possible that you could face at minimum a Class C misdemeanor charge if you made threats of bodily harm or offensive physical contact occurred without any other aggravating factors. On the other end of the spectrum, you could face a first-degree felony charge if the altercation involved someone with whom you have a domestic relationship or the victim was a public official, emergency worker, witness, police officer or security guard.

Working toward favorable outcomes

Only you know the true circumstances that led to your charges, and it is important that you allow that information to work for you as best as possible. You may find that it allows you to create a meaningful criminal defense to combat the assault allegations you face. Of course, you may need help determining exactly how that information could be put to use and working with an experienced criminal defense attorney may allow you to better understand your legal options.