Defending Against Weapons Charges
Weapons offenses are similar to drug cases in that the government wants to prove that you possessed something that you should not have possessed. They fall into two rough categories: (1) possessing a weapon that you cannot ever possess (illegal weapons); and (2) possessing an otherwise legal weapon in a restricted place (such as a church or bar) or in a restricted manner (such as displaying it in a way you shouldn’t or possessing it with a license to carry but not revealing it when asked by an officer).
Weapons laws are complicated. Complicated laws provide room for good attorneys to investigate, locate, and raise doubt in the case. In the last few years alone, Texas has enacted significant changes to whether a person can carry a firearm in their car (and how), what constitutes a “prohibited weapon” and “illegal knife,” and when someone has to retreat before using deadly force. The lawyers at Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP remain up to date on these statutory changes because our clients demand and deserve it.
In addition to complicated law, any possession case involves a seizure by the police. Our lawyers excel at raising legal issues challenging police seizures. Our firm has represented defendants before many trial and appellate courts throughout Texas, often raising constitutional challenges to such police conduct.
We use a legal team approach, employing the skills and talents of three highly qualified and experienced criminal defense attorneys. This approach enables us to apply nearly 60 years of criminal trial experience when developing powerful defense strategies against weapons charges, such as:
- Possession of an illegal firearm
- Violating a concealed carry statute
- Weapons trafficking
- Firearm possession by an alien
- Firearm possession by a felon
- Brandishing or discharging a firearm
- Unlawfully carrying a weapon
Anyone facing a serious criminal weapons charge in state or federal court should contact Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP immediately for a free consultation. The firm’s experienced attorneys will discuss the case in an easy-to-understand fashion and offer practical advice for any situation.