If you need to hire a criminal defense attorney in the Houston area, chances are you need one quickly. But it’s essential that you take the time to find the right one. Hiring an inexperienced lawyer can be the biggest mistake of your life.
During an initial consultation with an attorney, ask about their background and experience, how they would manage your case and how much their services would cost if you engaged them.
Continue reading for answers to these questions and more from the Neal Davis Law Firm. Don’t hesitate to call us if you’re concerned about protecting your legal rights.
Just remember: Contacting a defense attorney will not make you appear guilty but, rather, will show that you mean business in asserting your innocence.
To act on that, you need a board-certified criminal defense attorney in Houston, TX. That can be the difference between freedom and jail time.
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost?
The short and truthful answer is: It varies. Attorney fees can be impacted by the nature of the offense, the number of charges or complainants, the complexity of the case and the need for investigations or input by experts.
At the Neal Davis Law Firm, we understand that legal fees are most likely unplanned expenses. We strive to ensure our fees reflect the unique details of your case, the high level of service we provide and our proven expertise and capabilities.
“Cheap” defense comes at a cost, so watch out
A law degree doesn’t automatically qualify someone to defend your case effectively, and hiring a bargain attorney can be a costly mistake. You might wind up needing to hire another lawyer to clean up the first one’s mess, leaving you with hefty fees for an appeal and the dire consequences of a conviction, including jail time and a lasting criminal record.
So, beware of certain types of lawyers who might offer grand promises on the cheap. They include:
The letter lawyer
This struggling attorney, hungry for business, sends letters to defendants as soon as arrest records become public.
The newbie
Freshly licensed, they’re still learning the ropes, often at the expense of their clients.
Meet ’em and plead ’em
This lawyer has no real intention of delving deeply into your case. They’re looking for a quick plea deal so they can make money and move on.
Pay as you go
Charging a separate fee for every little task, these lawyers often leave clients with bills far exceeding initial expectations.
Jack of all trades, master of none
Some lawyers occasionally dabble in criminal law to supplement their primary practice, such as civil, family, immigration or injury law. Hiring them for a serious criminal matter is akin to expecting your family doctor to perform brain surgery.
Why would I need a defense attorney? I’m innocent.
Famous last words…
You’ve been arrested and charged with a crime you did not commit.
Your innocence is on your side, right? Not always.
Innocence isn’t always enough to avoid conviction.
The police don’t want you to have an attorney present.
Police may try to persuade you that it’s in your best interest to speak to them readily and without having a lawyer.
Police may tell you that “it doesn’t look good” if you get a lawyer. This is false.
Neal knows this kind of talk is designed to help the police, not you. He knows you should wait and get a knowledgeable defense attorney by your side before making any statements to the police.
Remember that, by law, investigating officers have a right to lie to you during an investigation. You do not have that right.
You are required to tell the truth. But the truth can be twisted, and police already may have decided you are guilty. They may try to get you to say things that could incriminate you.
Neal Davis can protect you from making such statements.
Police may “rush to judgment”
A defense attorney is necessary because police and prosecutors sometimes “rush to judgment.”
In other words, they may not consider that, by law, you are “innocent until proven guilty.” Instead, they may consider you guilty from the start and then try to build a slanted case against you accordingly.
Police or prosecutors may reach incorrect conclusions based on vague or unreliable evidence. They may do this by convincing themselves that they are right and everyone else is wrong.”
District attorneys are not your friends. Their job is to obtain convictions, not to be fair or impartial.
Just because you are innocent does not mean they won’t try mightily to convict you.
Be polite. Be smart. We’re not asking you to be disrespectful to law enforcement.
If the police ask you to make a statement without a lawyer present, you should politely decline and inform them that you’d like to speak to a lawyer first – and perhaps have a lawyer present when you do make a statement to the police.
That’s not being uncooperative. That’s being smart.
Interacting with Texas police while protecting your rights
If you must interact with Texas police, do so respectfully, without compromising your constitutional rights.
Neal has years of experience dealing with police officers in arrest situations. Numerous times, he has been able to prevent police from filing charges or getting existing charges dropped.
Should I talk to the police without an attorney present?
No. Never.
Never talk to the police unless a lawyer is present. You do not want to be tricked or coerced into saying something that could incriminate you, and you do not want to rely on the officer to accurately reflect any conversations you have.”
Without an attorney, a suspect might speak to police to try and talk themselves out of trouble or do other things that end up hurting their case.
Then, once they hire an attorney after they’ve been charged, the attorney has to try and “put Humpty Dumpty back together again.”
Get a good lawyer to review your case. Go into any meeting with the police prepared – with your defense lawyer by your side.
If the police have questions for you, let Neal help you answer. He can properly prepare you for a police interview and be present with you when you speak to the police.
He can intervene with answers or objections when needed to ensure that your statements to the police cannot be misrepresented or misconstrued.
A lawyer will ensure that your rights are protected. A lawyer will make sure that police or prosecutors do not take advantage of you. A lawyer also will make sure that the evidence of your innocence is conveyed in the most impactful way to police or prosecutors.”
Never delay consulting with an attorney
Criminal defendants need defense lawyers.
Many people who are suspected of a crime don’t quickly consult with an attorney. It’s a serious mistake that is harmful to their case.
Prevention is better than treatment in a criminal case, as in medicine. Every suspect should hire an attorney early—during the investigative phase and before a charge is filed.
The type of criminal case doesn’t matter. Whether you need an online solicitation of a child defense, a possession of child pornography defense, a drug possession defense, or an embezzlement defense, a qualified defense attorney is crucial.
The advantages of hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney in the investigative phase are indisputable. Often, the defense attorney can prevent charges from even being filed. And if charges are filed, the defense attorney can already be in the best position to defend a client.
Neal Davis knows innocent defendants need criminal defense lawyers, “whose duty includes explaining to them why they are innocent.”
In other words, your defense attorney will build a case for your innocence, amassing facts and details which will support your side.
Neal knows that innocence must be established. He also knows that the mere belief by police or prosecutors that you are guilty does not make you a guilty person.
If you have been charged with a crime for which you are innocent, you still need a skilled criminal defense lawyer such as Neal Davis to help you.
Being arrested is not the end. Talk to our defense attorney today.
Types of cases & experience
What types of charges does your firm handle?
We handle all types of state and federal charges in courts across Texas and the United States.
Does your firm specialize in any types of cases?
Our firm focuses on achieving the best possible outcomes for clients facing complex criminal charges. While we have experience in a wide range of areas, defense attorney Neal Davis has a proven track record of success in defending sex crime offenses. We also handle non-violent white-collar crimes for businesses and individuals in state and federal courts.
What types of cases has your firm tried?
We have tried many types of cases, from simple state misdemeanors such as DWI or domestic assault to state felonies such as sex or drug offenses, aggravated assault, theft, fraud or homicides to federal white-collar offenses such as health care fraud.
Does your firm handle appeals and writs?
Yes, we regularly handle appeals and writs. We’ve successfully obtained reversals on convictions in federal and state courts, including one for a high-profile murder case. We are also among a very small percentage of lawyers who have appeared before the United States Supreme Court.
How much experience does your firm have in handling criminal cases?
We’ve handled criminal cases for over 25 years.
How much of your practice is devoted to criminal law?
Our practice is devoted almost entirely to criminal law. We handle a few select civil cases, usually when there is a criminal component. Occasionally, we pursue or package prosecutions on behalf of individuals or business entities (e.g., for a large company whose employee has embezzled a large sum of money).
What is your background in criminal law?
We have always practiced criminal law. Even before opening his own law firm, Neal Davis worked as a lawyer for more than a decade with Texas criminal defense legend Dick DeGuerin.
What distinguishes your law firm?
Why should I hire your firm?
We hold ourselves to the highest standard of success, ensuring that you get the best possible outcome for your case. We believe everyone is entitled to respect, discretion and an expert defense.
We’ll handle your case with the greatest of care and personal attention, working diligently to protect your freedom and reputation. If we can obtain a successful outcome before going to trial, we will, without premature bargaining or compromise.
Where possible, we seek a dismissal, often by giving the prosecutor no other choice. Many times, if brought into a case early enough, a skilled criminal defense attorney can successfully resolve criminal investigations without charges ever even being filed.
At the Neal Davis Law Firm, we’re proud of our record of successfully resolving state and federal investigations in Houston, Texas, and across the nation.
We have prevented all types of charges from being filed, including capital murder, intoxication manslaughter, child pornography, child sex offenses and federal white-collar crimes. But when a case does go to trial, we’ll fight for you every step of the way, drawing on winning strategies from over 25 years of trial experience.
What makes your firm different?
Our qualifications, record of success and level of client service distinguish us. We’ve also been consistently recognized as an aggressive and highly experienced criminal law firm in Texas with a proven track record of winning results.
But we are most honored by what our clients have written about us: that we’re accessible, that we genuinely care about them, that we treat their case with the utmost importance and that we go beyond the call of duty and fight tirelessly to win the best outcome.
What makes your firm successful?
The key to our success is effective communication with prosecutors, judges and juries. We’ve earned the respect of prosecutors and judges for zealously representing our clients, often obtaining a favorable resolution without the need for a trial.
We will work hard to present your defense in a way that prosecutors find compelling and that any jury can understand. We want them to understand you and your situation and to give you the benefit of the doubt.
What others say
“In March of 2017 I was charged with a felony. However, Neal and Ty were able to sift through the ‘reported’ facts and produce the real facts. As a result, my case was completely dismissed by a grand jury. Neal and Ty really know what they’re doing and are passionate about their work. In my case, they aggressively went after the truth-and earned every penny. Any time I had a question, I never felt uneasy about calling or texting Neal, Ty or their staff. They made me feel like I was part of the team, which helped me cope with the stress of a felony charge. That charge could have ruined my life. My gun rights and my voting rights could have been taken away, and my ability to find work could have been severely hampered. To Neal, Ty and their staff, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!”
Verified Customer
“Neal’s team was amazing. Not only did they take the time and listen to my every fear, but they gave me the comfort and reassurance I needed as well as put up with my constant emails every time the fear struck again. I was never ignored, and I never had to call more than once for answers or advice. Truly compassionate attorneys here! They grabbed my case by the head and I have no doubt their proactive actions saved me. If you are in need of a criminal attorney, you have definitely come to the right place!”
Houston | Client’s federal charges declined
Verified customer
“Words cannot express my gratitude to Neal Davis. He was there from the beginning and guided me and my family through the entire process. He maintained communications to keep me informed and up to date on my case. He was even kind enough to follow up afterwards to see how I was doing after everything got taken care of. I would definitely recommend Neal Davis and his team.”
Houston | Aggravated sex assault of a child dismissed the day of trial
Verified customer
Awards and recognitions
Are members of your firm Board Certified in Criminal Law?
Yes, Neal Davis has been Board Certified in Criminal Law (Texas Board of Legal Specialization) since 2009.
Only 10% of licensed attorneys are Board Certified in Criminal Law, and Neal Davis is among that group. In the world of criminal defense, this distinction can be the difference between freedom and jail time.
How do other attorneys and judges rate your firm?
Two of the most respected sources of peer-reviewed ratings in the legal profession are Martindale Hubbell and Best Lawyers in America.
We have been awarded the highest rating (AV) from Martindale Hubbell (2015). We have also been recognized as Best Lawyers (2015-2022) and a Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers in America (2017-2019).
Facing charges? Talk to defense attorney Neal Davis.
If you are a suspect in a criminal investigation, contact the Neal Davis Law Firm to schedule a consultation to see how we can help. We also encourage you to visit our website to learn more about Neal Davis, check out our client testimonials and much more.
