While several people who are taken into custody for alleged criminal offenses in Collin County have been previously convicted of other crimes, many individuals are arrested and facing charges as a First Time Offender. First Time Offenders who have not dealt with the criminal justice system before are understandably concerned not only about the possibility of being sentenced to imprisonment, but also the effects that a conviction can have on their futures.
People who have been arrested for the first time can still face serious penalties for certain crimes, but the lack of a prior criminal record can also allow for many additional case resolution options that are not available to other defendants. Depending on the types of crime that a person has been charged with, it may be possible for a first time offender to resolve a case through some kind of alternative program or sentence that avoids a conviction.
First Time Offenders Defense Lawyer in Plano, Allen, Frisco, and McKinney, TX
Were you arrested for the first time in Collin County? Do not make any kind of statement to authorities until you have legal representation. Contact Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today.
Richard McConathy and Brian Bolton are experienced criminal defense attorneys in Plano who represent individuals accused of various crimes in communities throughout Collin County, including Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, and many others. You can have our lawyers review your case and answer all of your legal questions when you call (469) 304-3422 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Types of Arrests for First Time Offenders in Texas
A person’s first arrest could be based on an alleged violation of any one of the many different local, state, or federal laws. Depending on the specific nature of an alleged offense, a crime may result in misdemeanor or felony charges.
Some crimes are more common than others for an alleged first-time offender, and a few of the most frequent crimes in Collin County include, but are not limited to:
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
- Public Intoxication
- Possession of Marijuana
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol
- Shoplifting / Retail Theft
- Reckless Driving
- Criminal Mischief
- Criminal Trespass
- Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon
- Family Violence
Options for First Time Offenders in Collin County
Depending on the specific jurisdiction that an alleged crime was committed in, individuals without prior criminal records can be more likely to receive sentences that focus more on rehabilitation. If an alleged offender pleads guilty to a lesser (as the result of plea bargaining), that person may be eligible for a community supervision (more commonly known as probation) sentence instead of having to serve time in the local jail or prison.
Pleading guilty to a criminal offense, however, still counts as a conviction on an alleged offender’s criminal record. Some of the other options that an alleged first-time offender might have can include participation in specialty courts (such as drug courts).
Oftentimes, alleged offenders can avoid having convictions on their records by successfully completing either of the following types of programs:
- Deferred Adjudication — An alleged offender enters a plea of guilty but the court defers adjudication. The alleged offender must satisfy the terms of a sentence of community supervision. Any violation of the terms of the community supervision can lead to the state filing a motion to adjudicate and the alleged offender possibly receiving the original sentence, but successful completion means that the offense will not be counted as a conviction.
- Pre-Trial Diversion — The requirements of a pre-trial diversion program can differ from county to county, but they are similar to deferred adjudication in that alleged offenders must satisfy all of the terms of the particular programs they participate in. Unlike deferred adjudication, however, successful completion of pre-trial diversion programs may be eligible for expungement.
Texas First Time Offender Resources
Diversion Program | Collin County District Attorney — View the guidelines for the Collin County District Attorney’s Diversion Program. Learn more about the types of offenses eligible for participation in the program as well as the rights that must be waived. You can also find a link to complete a diversion program application.
Collin County District Attorney
2100 Bloomdale Road, Suite 100
McKinney, TX 75071
(972) 548-4323
Police | Plano, TX — Visit this website to learn more about the Plano Police Department. You can view crime statistics, learn about citizen programs, and find answers to frequently asked questions. You can also find a link to the North Texas Crime Stoppers (NTCS) website.
Plano Police Department
909 14th St.
Plano, TX 75074
(972) 424-5678
Police | Frisco, TX — On this website, you can find information about the Frisco Police Department and the Frisco City Jail. You can learn more about the divisions and units of the Frisco Police Department. Also find information about the different programs and services the department provides.
Frisco Police Department
7200 Stonebrook Parkway
Frisco, TX 75034
(972) 292-6010
Find A Collin County Attorney to Fight a First Time Offense | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
If you were arrested for any kind of alleged criminal offense in Collin County and it is your first time facing criminal charges, it will be in your best interest to not say anything to authorities until you have legal counsel. Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy aggressively defend clients in Allen, Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and many surrounding areas of Collin County.
Plano criminal defense lawyers Richard McConathy and Brian Bolton can fight to possibly get your criminal charges reduced or dismissed. Call (469) 304-3422 or fill out an online contact form to have our attorneys provide a complete evaluation of your case during a free initial consultation.