THOMAS A. MARTIN
Attorney-at-Law
DESCRIPTION OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES
CRIMINAL ASSAULT
There are a number of different types of criminal assault,
ranging from simple assault to more serious criminal
charges including aggravated assault, sexual assault,
and domestic assault that can involve serious physical
injuries. An aggravated assault, for example, is an
attack on another during the commission of another
crime.
FEDERAL CRIMES
If you are innocent of a federal crime, the charges
should be dismissed. If your involvement in a crime was
in a minor role, the punishment should be less. If you
cooperate with the prosecutor, the punishment should
reflect that cooperation. Contact our federal criminal
defense lawyer as soon as you know you are a suspect.
-Alien Smuggling: Transporting and harboring illegal aliens
is against federal law. If you have been charged with
smuggling or harboring, we can protect your rights and
investigate all the circumstances.
-Compelling Prostitution: Our criminal defense lawyer has
helped clients accused of compelling prostitution -
bringing young females into the U.S. for purposes of
prostitution. Are you innocent? Can you help the
government stop this crime? Contact a criminal defense
lawyer who can explain your options.
-Federal Drug Crimes: If you have been arrested for a
federal drug crime, you need a lawyer who can
investigate, challenge the evidence, and explain the
circumstances. Did you know you were transporting
illegal drugs? Were you under extreme pressure? Our
drug crime defense law firm has handled cases involving
trafficking in illegal drugs such as crystal meth, coke,
crack cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, marijuana, and others.
-Kidnapping, Bank Robbery: No matter what crime you
have been charged with, our criminal defense law firm
can effectively represent you.
FELONIES AGAINT FAMILIES
Crimes among family members can be especially difficult.
Sorting out the evidence and interviewing witnesses is a
challenge when the people involved have a family
relationship.
Many felony crimes against family involve family law
issues - divorce, visitation, custody. Because we also
handle family law matters for our clients, our law firm
understands that witness accounts can be confused
because of conflicting motivations and emotions. We
have defended clients who acted while in a highly
emotional state. We have also defended clients who
faced false sex crime charges.
Our first step in any situation is to protect our client's
rights. Our criminal defense law firm listens carefully to
the client's view of the events that led to criminal
charges. We look at the evidence, past incidents, and
contributing factors. We work to dismiss the charges -
or, if called in time, to keep charges from being filed. Our
defense lawyer also looks for ways to mitigate any
punishment.
Our criminal defense law firm has handled a wide range
of cases involving alleged felonies against families,
including but not limited to:
-Child Abuse
-Child Sex Abuse
-Custody Violations
-Domestic Violence
-Family Assault
-Obstruction of Visitation
-Spousal Abuse
FELONIES AGAINST PEOPLE
Felony crimes against people - murder, manslaughter,
kidnapping, sex crimes - require a defense attorney with
experience and an ability to understand the emotional
and scientific complexities of crimes against people.
At the Law Offices of Thomas A. Martin, we know that
felony crimes against people can generate an
exceptional amount of emotion and anxiety. It can be
difficult to talk to witnesses, who are often
understandably distraught. Our felony crimes defense
attorney listens carefully to witnesses in crimes against
people, sorting through the emotion to get to the facts
of the case.
We also know how to review forensic evidence, finding
the clues that tell the story of the case. Autopsies,
accident reports, crime scene photos, and witness
statements all add to the complexity of the case. As a
tactical attorney, Thomas A. Martin develops a strategy
based on the evidence. Our criminal defense law firm
handles the defense in a wide range of cases, including
but not limited to:
-Homicide
-Kidnapping
-Manslaughter
-Negligent Homicide
-Sex Crimes
FELONIES AGAINST PROPERTY
A property felony involves tangible evidence - stolen
goods or damaged property. To prosecute a person
accused of a crime against property, the investigator
and prosecutor must be able to establish a link between
the crime and the suspect.
At the Law Offices of Thomas A. Martin, we examine the
evidence carefully. Was it lawfully obtained? Is there a
clear link with the client? What may seem like a clear link -
stolen goods found in a suspect's car, for example - may
prove to be explainable. The stolen property may have
been placed there by someone else.
Whatever the circumstances in your case, it is important
to have a criminal defense lawyer who knows the rules of
evidence and understands forensic science. Attorney
Thomas A. Martin has the experience, the determination,
and the scientific knowledge you need for an effective
defense. He also has extensive experience interviewing
witnesses and cutting through deceptive tactics.
Our criminal defense law firm handles all types of felonies
against property, including but not limited to:
-Arson
-Credit Card Theft
-Criminal Mischief
-Forgery
-Grand Theft Auto
-Robbery, Home Burglary
-Vandalism
JUVENILE DEFENSE
Under Texas law, there are different rules in juvenile
criminal cases. A minor cannot be interviewed alone. The
prison system for juveniles is managed by the Texas
Youth Commission. Minors with extended sentences
(such as those for murder) will be held by the Texas
Youth Commission until age 21, when they are
transferred to the adult prison system.
Whatever the charges - from marijuana possession to
murder - the minor child needs a lawyer who understands
the juvenile justice code, knows the law, and protects
the rights of the juvenile. Our juvenile defense lawyer
knows that the choices and actions taken now will affect
a child's future for years to come and will listen to our
client's version of what happened.
We will examine the evidence, interview witnesses, and
explore the options for alternative sentencing. We work
for dismissal of charges. When that is not feasible, we
work for alternative sentencing such as community
service. Our juvenile defense attorney handles a full
range of charges, including but not limited to:
-Assault, Battery
-Drug Possession
-Drug Sales, Trafficking
-Malicious Mischief
-Murder, Manslaughter
-Robbery, Theft, Burglary
-Sex Crimes, Rape
-Truancy
-Underage Drinking
While juvenile crime often affects the entire family, our
client is the minor child accused of a crime. We will
protect that client's rights at every step of the juvenile
justice process. Those rights include attorney
confidentiality and full protection of the minor's rights.
MISDEMEANORS AGAINST FAMILIES
Family problems can be emotional and confusing. Add a
misdemeanor charge to that mix, and the problems
increase many times over.
At the Law Offices of Thomas A. Martin, you will find a
misdemeanor defense lawyer who also has substantial
experience as a family law attorney. In Houston and
throughout Southeast Texas, our law firm has a
reputation for handling family issues - civil and criminal -
discreetly and with compassion.
Your first concern when family members are involved in a
criminal matter is to make sure everyone's legal rights are
protected. At our criminal defense law firm, we protect
the rights of the person accused of wrongdoing. We
make sure that person is presumed innocent and is
treated with respect and in accordance with the law.
When criminal charges are a part of family confrontations
and disputes, our criminal defense lawyer knows how to
sort through the evidence, listen to the witnesses, and
develop a defense plan for the person charged. We
have handled many cases involving misdemeanors within
families, including but not limited to:
-Assault
-Bigamy
-Child Abuse
-Custody Interference
-Domestic Violence
-Spousal Abuse
-Unlawful Restraint
-Visitation Obstruction
MISDEMEANORS AGAINST PEOPLE
When a crime does minimal damage to the victim, the
prosecutor may decide to lower the charge from a felony
to a misdemeanor. Even though the charge is lower, the
person charged still needs an effective defense
attorney.
Why do you need a lawyer? Won't this problem go away
faster if you just plead guilty? A criminal misdemeanor is
a part of your record. It can affect job and educational
opportunities well into the future. Make sure you know all
your options before you make a decision about the
charges you are facing.
At our criminal defense law firm, our first priority is to
protect your rights. The sooner we begin doing that, the
better for your situation. Our criminal defense lawyer will
look at the evidence, talk to any witnesses, and work for
a dismissal of charges or a lowering of charges. If you
face punishment, attorney Thomas A. Martin will explain
the mitigating circumstances that are involved in your
case.
Your future is important. Your reputation is essential. If
you have been charged with a crime, protect your future
and your reputation. Contact a criminal defense lawyer.
Our law firm has experience with all areas of
misdemeanors against property, including but not limited
to:
-Assault
-DUI
-Evading Arrest
-Harassment
-Indecent Exposure
-Misdemeanor Sex Crimes
-Minor Alcohol Possession
-Public Intoxication
-Unlawful Restraint
-Weapons Charges
MISDEMEANORS AGAINST PROPERTY
In Texas, a crime against property is value-related. If
the stolen or damaged property is worth less than
$1,500, the crime charged is a misdemeanor. Crimes of
higher value are felonies against property.
No matter how minor a criminal charge may seem, how
you deal with it today can affect your life in many
different ways for years into the future. Know your
rights. Make sure you have an attorney who will protect
those rights. At the Law Offices of Thomas A. Martin, we
can explain your rights, explain what you have been
charged with, and discuss your options.
We will review the evidence, interview witnesses, and
challenge any evidence that was not properly obtained
or that does not show a clear link to our client. First on
our list of priorities is to protect your rights. Next is our
determination to limit the damage this charge does to
your life and reputation.
Our criminal defense law firm has handled a wide range
of misdemeanors against property, including but not
limited to:
-Burglary
-Criminal Mischief
-Gambling Promotion
-Petty Theft
-Shoplifting
-Traffic Violations
-Trespassing
-Vandalism
WHITE COLLAR CRIMES
As soon as you know you are being investigated for a
white collar crime, talk to an experienced white collar
defense lawyer about your situation. At the Law Offices
of Thomas A. Martin, we have extensive experience
protecting the rights and interests of clients charged with
fraud and other white collar crimes.
-Accounting Fraud: Have you been accused of "cooking
the books" for your company? Our white collar defense
law firm will do our own investigation to assure that the
prosecutor does not use evidence that cannot be linked
to you. We will assure that investigators respect the
limits placed on search warrants.
-Embezzlement, Securities Fraud, Bribery,
Counterfeiting, Credit Card Fraud: Whatever charges
you are facing, we have the experience and
determination to help you.
-Health Care Fraud, Medicare Fraud: If you have been
charged with falsifying medical bills associated with a car
accident or if you are accused of defrauding Medicare,
you need a lawyer who understands the details involved
and can help you explain the situation.
-Tax Fraud: Some cases of tax evasion are based on
under-reporting income while others are based on
overstating deductions. If you are a CPA suspected of
setting up tax fraud schemes for your clients, contact a
tax fraud lawyer to help you through the legal process.
Whether you feel you are innocent or not, you have
rights. At the Law Offices of Thomas A. Martin, we will
aggressively protect those rights. If you were involved
with fraud because of personal or business pressures,
we will work with you to mitigate the damages.
SEX OFFENSES, ADULT
Once a sex crime investigation starts, it is difficult to slow down the pace and get the
investigator to listen to your side of the story. That is why you need an experienced
criminal defense lawyer on your side. If you have been charged or if you think you
might be charged, call us immediately so that we can begin protecting your rights and
investigating the facts.
Society looks at sex crime accusations suspiciously, often assuming guilt on the part of
anyone who has been questioned. Your reputation and your freedom could be at
stake. Even when there is no physical evidence of rape or other sexual assault or
sexual abuse, the investigation will usually proceed.
Police and prosecutors work quickly and aggressively on sex crime cases. If the police
want to question you, you cannot rely on your innocence to protect you. You need a
lawyer who can explain the process to you, defend your rights, and start investigating
on your behalf.
Our criminal defense law firm has handled all types of sex offenses involving adults,
including but not limited to:
-Aggravated Sexual Assault
-Improper Relationship between Therapist and Patient -Improper Sexual Photo or
Visual Recording
-Indecent Exposure
-Prohibited Sexual Contact (incest)
-Public Lewdness
-Sexual Assault (rape)
-Teacher and Student Sex
We know that a love letter or an incriminating photo or an innocent action can be
interpreted many different ways. We know that you might say something in a police
interview that could be taken in more than one way. That is why it is so important to
have a lawyer present who is focused on your rights.
SEXUAL OFFENSES, CHILD
If you have been accused of sexual contact or indecency toward a child, your
credibility will be in question. The police, the prosecutor, and the general public will
probably believe the child no matter what the background or facts of the case might
be. As a society, we want to protect children, and that is appropriate. But we also
need to protect the rights of people accused of child sex offenses.
Have you been questioned? Have you been arrested? Whether or not you feel you
are innocent of the accusations, you need a lawyer experienced in cases like yours.
Depending on the facts of the case, we will work to keep charges from being filed, to
have the charges dismissed, to obtain a fair plea bargain that limits the damages you
are facing, or to fight the charges in a court of law.
We have represented people in a wide range of cases, including but not limited to:
-Adult Sexual Fondling of a Child
-Aggravated Sexual Assault (child rape)
-Indecency with a Child (sexual contact or sexual exposure)
-Pedophilia
-Teacher and Student Sexual Contact
We have found through experience that child sex offense charges are often based on
false allegations. We have won dismissals in cases in which detailed descriptions of the
location and of the accused person proved to be inaccurate. Some allegations prove to
be physically impossible. Others are based on peer pressure, pressure from adults, an
attempt to avoid discipline, a desire for attention or money.
Whatever the reason for false charges, contact child sex abuse defense lawyer
Thomas A. Martin for a thorough investigation and an aggressive defense.
If there is any merit at all to the charges, your attorney will continue to vigorously
defend your rights while working to limit the consequences.
The Law Offices of Thomas A. Martin represents clients throughout Southeast Texas, including the cities of Houston, Galveston, Memorial, River Oaks, West University,
Clear Lake, League City, Sugar Land, Pearland, Beaumont, Hempstead, Katy, Conroe, and all the communities in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend,
Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, Waller and Wharton Counties.
The Law Offices of Thomas A. Martin represents individuals
facing serious felony charges in both state and federal trial
and appellate courts. We represent people facing felony
charges from drugs to murder, and have developed an
emphasis on sex crimes (both adult and child offenses).
In our commercial litigation practice, we represent small
business owners facing "bet the business" litigation
prospects if the opposing side wins.
With our family law practice, we cherish the opportunity to
represent parents, especially fathers, who need a divorce
and want to keep or get custody of their kids.