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Proven Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Counter Criminal Allegations

Houston firm advises that if the facts do not set you free, argue the law

The criminal defense attorneys of Patrick M. Kelley, Attorney at Law in Houston assist accused Texas clients using two main types of defenses:

  • Factual defenses establish that an accused is entitled to a dismissal of charges because eyewitness testimony is mistaken or because it is proved that an accused had no knowledge of any criminal activity or that someone other than the accused could have been responsible for the charged criminal conduct. If the potential for a factual defense exists, our criminal team relies on 65 years of combined criminal law experience to find, present and argue your factual defense effectively.
  • Legal defenses establish that an accused is entitled to a dismissal of charges because some or all of the evidence collected by police was the result of an illegal stop, illegal arrest, illegal search or illegal questioning by police. A police officer who violates an accused’s privacy rights gives the defense a path for dismissal of charges if the accused’s attorney is experienced enough to know where to look. Patrick Kelley knows where to find privacy violations if they exist, due to his background and experience in representing over 3,200 criminal clients since 1990.

The best defense is a zealous offense

The Texas exclusionary rules on search and seizure are among the most restrictive in the United States. We work tirelessly to stress enforcement of these rules on behalf of our clients accused of a crime. Patrick Kelley has repeatedly been successful over the last 30 years arguing for suppression of evidence and for dismissal of his clients’ charges resulting from illegal stops, arrests, searches and questioning by police. Patrick also authored the weekly newspaper column “Drug Search and Seizure” for two years in the Houston Chronicle and Houston Post (1994-1995).

Our best friend is the Texas exclusionary rule

Police cannot prove a case against an accused without evidence, and evidence cannot be admitted in court if it is obtained by police in violation of the accused’s privacy rights under Texas law. The Texas exclusionary rule applies equally to each and every criminal case. Examples of evidence seized or obtained by police that are subject to the rule are:

  • Drugs, weapons or stolen property found in a motor vehicle stop
  • Drugs, weapons or stolen property found in the accused’s residence or on the accused’s person
  • Breath or blood tests taken from an accused after a traffic stop
  • Any police observations of an accused after a traffic or pedestrian stop
  • Oral and written statements of an accused given during police questioning
  • Any item found as a result a search warrant, arrest warrant or traffic warrant
  • Any identification of an accused in a photo spread or line-up

A privacy violation claim is potentially present in each and every criminal case where police stopped, arrested, searched or questioned an accused. Let our team of experienced criminal defense lawyers try to find and argue that privacy violation claim on your behalf.

Speak with a knowledgeable Houston criminal defense lawyer

Patrick M. Kelley, Attorney at Law represents Texas clients in criminal defense matters. Please call 713-222-6363 or contact us online for a consultation. Our office is in Houston.

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