Misdemeanor Charges Defense Lawyers in Texas

Your best defense against Misdemeanor Criminal Charges

Facing any level of criminal charges can be stressful and overwhelming for anyone. If you've been charged with a crime, hiring a defense lawyer is one of the most important-and reassuring-steps you can take. At Barbieri Law Firm, we stand with clients throughout every step of the process, providing guidance, support, and unwavering defense.

Barbieri Law Firm's defense attorneys, skilled both as former prosecutors and in courtroom strategy, are fierce advocates who never stop fighting for justice. Our lawyers keep their caseload small, so that each client gets the attention and dedication they deserve. Whether for serious felonies or simple misdemeanors, this allows them to build personal connections, uncover critical details, and craft powerful, personalized defense strategies. Whether you're facing charges related to petty theft, public intoxication, or criminal trespass, you can trust us to protect your future.

Types of Misdemeanors

When accusations first surface, the most important thing you can do is find skilled lawyers with a reputation for success and experience defending clients in criminal cases. Our firm defends clients against all types of criminal misdemeanor charges, including:

• Theft
• Assault
• DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor)
• Public Intoxication
• Possession of Marijuana
• Criminal Mischief
• Disorderly Conduct
• Shoplifting
• Domestic Violence (Simple Assault)
• Evading Arrest (without a vehicle)
• Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon
• Indecent Exposure

Strategic Defense

Depending on the case details, we build strong defenses against misdemeanor charges such as:

• Lack of Evidence: The prosecution may not have sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If evidence is weak or inconclusive, the defendant may be acquitted.
• Self-Defense: If the defendant was acting to protect themselves or others from harm, they may use self-defense as a legal justification for their actions.
• Alibi: The defendant may present evidence showing that they were elsewhere at the time the crime was committed, making it impossible for them to have committed the offense.
• Consent: In some cases, the defendant can argue that the alleged victim consented to the actions, particularly in cases involving assault or certain property offenses.
• Entrapment: If law enforcement induced the defendant to commit a crime they otherwise would not have committed, the defendant may argue entrapment as a defense.
• Mistake of Fact: If the defendant was mistaken about a key fact (e.g., accidentally taking someone else's property), they may argue that they lacked the intent to commit the offense.
• Intoxication: In some cases, the defendant may argue that they were involuntarily intoxicated, which prevented them from forming the necessary intent to commit the crime.
• Insufficient Intent (Mens Rea): If the defendant lacked the necessary mental state to commit the crime (e.g., the crime requires intent, but the defendant acted out of negligence), the charge may be reduced or dismissed.
• Unlawful Search and Seizure: If evidence was obtained through an unlawful search or seizure, it may be inadmissible in court, weakening the prosecution's case.

Our lawyers guide you through every step of the criminal process, from arraignments and pretrial motions to trial strategy.

Our Process

Free Confidential Consultation

We start with a one-on-one conversation where we listen, ask key questions, and begin assessing your legal situation.

Case Review & Early Action

Our in-house investigator reviews police reports, statements, and any available evidence, eliminating the delays and added costs of outsourcing. If you’re under investigation, we may be able to intervene early.

Strategic Legal Plan

Every assault case is different. Once we understand the details, we develop a personalized legal strategy focused on dismissal, reduction, or acquittal, depending on what’s possible in your case.

Proactive Defense

We don’t wait for the DA to act. Our lawyers file motions, challenge weak evidence, and negotiate aggressively.

Courtroom Advocacy or Case Resolution

Whether through a favorable plea deal or a full trial, we fight for the best outcome possible. You’ll always know where your case stands, what’s coming next, and what your options are.

Misdemeanor Charges Defense Lawyers: Frequently Asked Questions

How Our Misdemeanor Charges Defense Lawyers Defend You

Although misdemeanor charges are less serious criminal charges than felonies, there are still potentially serious consequences for a conviction. Depending on the level of charges, punishment can include:

• Class A Misdemeanors: Class A misdemeanors carry a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
• Class B Misdemeanors: A person convicted of a class B misdemeanor faces up to 180 days’ jail time and a $2,000 fine.
• Class C Misdemeanors: Class C misdemeanors are fine-only offenses (no jail time possible). The maximum fine is $500.

If you’re facing a misdemeanor charge in North Texas, here’s how we can help:

• Compassionate Guidance: We know criminal accusations can be stressful, so we keep you informed, supported, and prepared—every step in the process.
• Thorough Early Investigation: We gather evidence fast—texts, surveillance, digital records—to challenge false claims before charges are filed.
• Strategic Communication with Prosecutors: Our attorneys know how to present exculpatory facts early, often stopping cases before they start.
• Reputation Defense: False accusations carry stigma—we fight to clear your name both in court and in the court of public opinion.

Whether it’s negotiating with law enforcement or the prosecution, our goal is clear: get charges dismissed, reduced, or defeated in court.

What to Expect in a Texas Misdemeanor Case

We know being accused of an assault crime can feel scary and confusing. But you don’t have to face it alone. You may be investigated long before you’re arrested. That’s where an expert criminal defense lawyer can come in to help mount a defense before the State decides to file charges. If the State files charges, a misdemeanor case then moves through the court system in a systematic way, much like a criminal case.

Here’s what you can expect in a misdemeanor case:

• Investigation – Police or others gather information
• Pre-Filing & Arrest – The case might still be under review
• Case Filed – Charges are officially made
• Trial or Plea – Your case goes to court, or a deal is made
• Sentencing – The court gives a final ruling

Click the button below to download our Legal Process Roadmap resource.

If You’re Under Investigation

If your case is still under investigation, we may be able to intervene before charges are even filed.

If your case is still in the investigation stage, it’s a crucial time to have a lawyer involved. Your attorney will stay in contact with law enforcement to monitor developments and prepare you for what may come next. If charges are likely, we’ll help you make a plan—so if an arrest is coming, you can handle it calmly and with a clear strategy.

Even before you step into a courtroom, your legal team is already working. Our paralegals regularly check with the court to track whether charges have been filed or if a grand jury hearing is scheduled. We’ll keep you updated on every new development—so nothing catches you off guard.

In-House Investigator for Superior Case Management

A seasoned 36-year law enforcement veteran now leads our investigations team. She will handle everything from gathering evidence to preparing reports and providing testimony, working directly with our legal team to tailor strategies and ensure the best defense possible for our clients.

• With an in-house investigator, we eliminate the delays and added costs of outsourcing, enabling faster action and more precise case strategies that lead to better outcomes for our clients.

How Misdemeanor Charges Are Filed in Texas

Misdemeanor charges are filed by something called “Information.” After reviewing the case, including evidence from the investigation, the District Attorney decides whether to file formal charges.

Once charges are filed, you become the defendant, and your case is assigned a cause number and a court date.

Here’s a breakdown of key court appearances in most misdemeanor cases:

• Arraignment or Initial Appearance: Your first court date. The judge reads the charges, and you enter a plea—guilty or not guilty. Evidence sharing begins here.
• Status Conferences / Announcement Settings: These check-in hearings track progress. Your lawyer may be negotiating with the DA or still reviewing the evidence.
• Pretrial Hearings: Your attorney may ask the judge to dismiss weak evidence or challenge how it was obtained.

Your Case, Your Decision

After building your defense, your case will reach a decision point:

• Plea Deal: The DA may offer a deal. We’ll explain the pros, the risks, and your options clearly. You stay in control—we’re here to guide, not pressure.
• Trial: If you reject the plea, we’ll prepare for trial before a judge or jury, where your case is fully argued and defended.

Disposition Stage: The Final Step

This is where the case is resolved—either by a plea agreement, a jury verdict, or a judge’s ruling after trial. It’s the most serious part of the process, and where everything we’ve done comes to a head.

Real Results: Misdemeanor Charges Defense Lawyers

Dismissal Secured Through Strategic Affidavit of Non-Prosecution

In a recent assault case, our client was facing serious consequences after a domestic dispute led to criminal charges. Recognizing the situation was more complex than the police report suggested, our attorney quickly opened lines of communication with the alleged victim—who expressed they never wanted to press charges.

We guided them through the lawful process of preparing an Affidavit of Non-Prosecution, ensuring it was clear, voluntary, and detailed. Once submitted, we leveraged the affidavit in discussions with the prosecution, highlighting the lack of intent, mutual context, and absence of ongoing threat. As a result, the State dismissed the case, sparing our client from a criminal conviction and the collateral damage that comes with it.

Turning Prosecutorial Insight into Case Dismissals

When a client was facing a felony Assault Family Violence charge, attorney Carrie Thomas—a former Chief Felony Prosecutor for Collin County—used her deep knowledge of how assault cases are built and challenged the State’s assumptions early. Through strategic negotiations and a detailed review of the evidence, she convinced the prosecutor to refuse the case entirely due to insufficient proof.

This is the power of having a former prosecutor on your side—someone who knows how the other side thinks, and how to shut a case down before it ever reaches a courtroom.

Did you know?

A misdemeanor charge isn’t “minor” when it comes to your record.

Even a Class C or B misdemeanor can show up on background checks, affect job applications, and result in a suspended driver’s license.

Certain misdemeanor charges can become felonies fast.

Crimes like DWI, theft, and assault can be enhanced to felonies based on prior convictions, injury level, or victim type, such as a family member or public servant. Even a low-level misdemeanor can jeopardize immigration status. For non-citizens, a single misdemeanor—especially involving drugs or violence—can lead to deportation proceedings or visa denials.

Call Barbieri Law Firm—Because the Right Assault Lawyers Can Change Your Life.

Assault accusations don’t just threaten your legal record—they threaten your entire life. Don’t wait. When you’re facing assault charges in any of the counties in North, East, or Central Texas, you need a legal team that knows how to win and how to protect you while doing it.

Ready to Fight Back? Call Barbieri Law Firm Today.

Let our seasoned assault lawyers show you what real defense looks like. Call us now or schedule a confidential consultation. We’re the team prosecutors warn each other about. Call 972-424-1902.