San Antonio Felonies Lawyer Builds a Determined Defense

Proven advocate fights serious charges in Texas

A felony is the most serious type of criminal charge a person may face, with penalties that include incarceration in state prison for anywhere from six months to life, or the death penalty in capital murder cases. That makes your choice of a defense attorney one of the most important decisions you can make. In San Antonio, Tylden Shaeffer, Attorney at Law, P.C. offers highly professional defense representation for people throughout Central Texas who have been arrested and charged with a felony or are the target of a criminal investigation. The sooner you contact me, the sooner I can begin to mount an effective defense to protect your rights.

Experienced criminal defense counselor handles a range of felony allegations

Crimes typically categorized as felonies include manslaughter and murder, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary, drug trafficking and most federal crimes. Many felony offenses involve violence, but theft or fraud may be classified as felonies depending on the amount of money involved. In my criminal defense practice, I regularly represent clients accused of:

• Fraud — Fraud is theft accomplished through deception and includes forgery, trademark counterfeiting, credit or debit card fraud, identity theft, mail fraud, check-kiting, filing a false insurance claim, and lying on a loan application. A fraud becomes a federal offense when it violates a federal statute or targets a federal program. Offenders can face enhanced charges for fraud against certain victims, such as the elderly. I have extensive experience fighting for Texans facing fraud charges.

• Federal crimes — A federal crime is an offense that violates a federal statute, takes place on U.S. government property, crosses state lines, uses a federal agency, targets a federal officer in the performance of his or her duty, or targets an agency of the U.S. government. Common federal crimes include RICO violations, such as money laundering, bank robbery, mail fraud, Medicare fraud, and income tax evasion. My experience in federal courts, defending clients accused of federal crimes, gives you an advantage when facing these serious charges.

• DWI — Some crimes are “wobblers,” which means they may be classed as felonies or misdemeanors depending on the circumstances of the offense. DWI is such a crime. While a first DWI offense is a misdemeanor, multiple offenses or a DWI causing serious injury or death may be charged as felonies, punishable by years in prison. I can mount an aggressive defense to your felony DWI charge.

• Murder/manslaughter — Criminal homicide in Texas is defined as “intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, causing the death of an individual.” These offenses are categorized as capital murder, murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. To obtain a conviction, the authorities must not only prove the accused committed some act that led directly to a person’s death but also show that the defendant had the requisite mindset at the time. An intentional killing (murder) naturally draws a more severe penalty than an extremely negligent act that causes death (criminally negligent homicide). I have both the determination and the background to defend clients facing any of these serious allegations.

When I get involved in a case early on, there is a greater chance of working with the prosecuting attorney to achieve a favorable outcome. In some cases, it may be possible to avoid criminal charges altogether. In other cases, I can ensure that lesser charges are brought, so my client does not face the maximum penalty under the law. When negotiations do not yield results, however, I won’t hesitate to battle on your behalf at trial.

Contact a board-certified criminal defense attorney for felony charges in San Antonio

If you face felony charges, it’s essential to be represented by a proven defense lawyer. Tylden Shaeffer, Attorney at Law, P.C. is a board-certified specialist in criminal law and is ready to fight for your rights. To schedule a free consultation, call (210) 227-1500 or contact my San Antonio office online today.