Kermit, TX Criminal Defense Law Firms & Lawyers

Hire a lawyer. You are going to have to have a really good explanation on why you ran. Be helpful if you have been working and otherwise a law abiding, tax paying citizen. Also, if you completed a drug rehab and are now living drug free that can be a great argument. Turning yourself in (after hiring a lawyer and before being arrested) is also helpful.

You are always entitled to represent yourself in court. Whether you should is a different issue. The conventional wisdom is that an attorney will be able to do a better job and get a better outcome. Prosecutors and judges don't like dealing with ProPers, unless you are simply pleading guilty, not defending the case. This is NOT a mother and daughter family dispute, you were arrested and charged with a crime. You already admit you know The county has a not drop policy. That means exactly what it says. When talking about domestic violence charges, police and prosecutors vigorously prosecute those cases, even over the objection of the victim, and their tearful recanting and claims of mistake or misunderstanding about their repentant, apologetic abuser. They long ago grew tired of seeing the victims drop charges, only to be found later abused, beaten or worse by the same abuser. When charged with any crime, the proper questions are, can any evidence obtained in a search or statement be used against you, can you be convicted, and what can you do? Raise all appropriate defenses with whatever witnesses, evidence and sympathies are available for legal arguments, for evidence suppression, search and seizure, or other motions, or for trial. That includes the make up claim. While this isn't a 'capital case', you certainly face fines and potential jail, so handle it right. No amount of free 'tips and hints' from here or elsewhere are going to effectively help in a legal defense. If you don't know how to represent yourself effectively against an experienced prosecutor intending to convict, then hire an attorney who does, who will try to get a dismissal, charge reduction, diversion, programs, or other decent outcome through motions, plea bargain, or take it to trial if appropriate.