Insider Knowledge.
Optimal Outcomes.
Criminal Defense Law Firm in Austin, TX
Criminal Defense Lawyer in Austin, TX
Being charged with a crime doesn’t have to define you, but what you do in the aftermath can affect every aspect of your life and future. At Baeza Law, PLLC, we’re here to ensure you have a strong legal defense and someone you can turn to and rely on during this process.
If you’re facing criminal charges, contact our office at 512-246-7753 to speak to an Austin criminal defense lawyer.
Practice Areas
DWI Defense
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law in Texas. Find out what to do if you’ve been charged with DWI when you contact an attorney.
Drug Crimes
Drug offenses are among the most common criminal charges in Austin. Call our firm for help from an experienced criminal lawyer.
Theft Defense
Theft laws are complex, and the charges can differ depending on the circumstances of the case and the property’s value. Schedule a consultation with an attorney today.
Property Crimes
A property crime conviction can result in jail time, substantial fines, and other consequences. Talk to a defense attorney to discover your legal options.
Meet Our Attorney
Ruben Baeza Jr.
Attorney Ruben Baeza Jr. is a respected criminal defense attorney serving those in Austin and Central Texas. He has 18+ years of courtroom experience, including as a former prosecutor, which gives him unique insight and perspective into the other side’s strategies and tactics when defending clients.
He has a proven track record of handling criminal cases involving mental health issues and has successfully helped clients qualify for diversion programs to avoid or minimize penalties like jail time. Whether you are facing your first criminal charge or you’re worried about how your previous record could impact your case, attorney Baeza is here to help.
Experienced Legal Representation for a Variety of Criminal Charges
At Baeza Law, PLLC, we focus on providing strong defense representation to those accused of crimes in Austin. Our areas of practice include:
DWI Defense
A DWI charge can result in license suspension, significant fines, and even jail time. Attorney Baeza is prepared to help you fight these charges by challenging every aspect of the arrest, from the legitimacy of the traffic stop to the chemical test results.
Drug Crimes
Investigators and prosecutors take drug charges very seriously in Texas, and so do we. Whether you’re dealing with a misdemeanor possession charge or a felony distribution offense, attorney Baeza can help you build a strong defense.
Theft Defense
Theft charges can result in significant criminal penalties and other consequences, such as difficulty finding employment or losing a professional license. Baeza Law, PLLC, is here to help you protect your rights and freedom by fighting your charges.
Property Crimes
Offenses involving vandalism, trespassing, or property damage are serious. An attorney can help you navigate this process by ensuring you understand your rights and legal options and preparing a strong defense.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Criminal Case?
How long it takes to resolve a criminal case depends heavily on the type of charge and the court schedule, but it often takes longer than defendants may think. Even a less complex case, such as a misdemeanor charge, can still take weeks or even months to resolve. A serious felony can take more than a year from arrest to the final verdict, especially if it goes through a full criminal trial.
A criminal defense attorney can help you better understand the expected timeline for your case, but there can still be delays due to things like lab testing or disputes during the discovery process. An attorney plays a critical role in helping you resolve your charges as quickly as possible.
Do You Really Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?
Many people mistakenly believe that they can represent themselves or that “minor” charges don’t matter. The truth is that any type of criminal charge can have long-term consequences, even if you are a first-time offender or it’s a misdemeanor. Texas law and the criminal court procedures are complex, and even small mistakes, such as talking to investigators without an attorney present, can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.
Criminal law attorneys know how to protect your rights and build a legal defense strategy based on the unique factors and circumstances of your case. They can also handle all communication with law enforcement, so you don’t inadvertently say something that might negatively affect your case, and they are equipped to negotiate plea deals and even push for the case to be dismissed.
Why Choose Us
People-Focused Practice
At Baeza Law, PLLC, our core values are courage, reliability, integrity, and hope. We focus on bringing these concepts to all parts of our practice, from interacting with clients and giving them hope for the future to doing everything we can to help them fight their charges.
Experienced Representation
Whether it’s your first time in court or you have previous arrests, you need an attorney with experience with the local court system and the Texas laws that apply to your case. Attorney Baeza knows what it takes to fight criminal charges like theft and drug possession and has successfully helped countless clients in and around Austin protect their rights and freedom.
Strategic Defense
Being charged with a crime doesn’t make someone less of a person, and we believe everyone deserves the most vigorous defense possible. Attorney Baeza listens carefully to each client’s case, knowing that sometimes even the smallest details make the biggest differences when choosing a defense strategy.
Compassionate Guidance
Being arrested isn’t a pleasant experience, and dealing with officers, investigators, prosecutors, and other law enforcement officials within the criminal justice system can be overwhelming and stressful. Having an attorney present by your side from arraignment to trial and beyond can ensure you have someone to guide you through this process and answer any questions you may have.
Consistent Communication
One of the hardest parts about facing criminal charges in Austin is waiting for your case to be resolved. Attorney Baeza does everything in his power to get you home and back to your family as quickly as possible, but he also ensures you stay up to date on everything going on with your case, whether that’s a change in a court date or new evidence that could strengthen your defense.
Strong Client Advocate
A criminal defense attorney should be your advocate and ally as you navigate the criminal justice system. Attorney Baeza focuses on protecting your rights through each step of the legal process and ensuring you have someone fighting for you during one of the most difficult times of your life.
Why Clients Choose Baeza Law
When you’re facing criminal charges in Austin, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney who will handle your case with courage, reliability, and integrity and offer you hope in this difficult time. Those are the values we’ve built Baeza Law, PLLC, on, and it’s what every client gets when they work with our firm.
Attorney Baeza’s commitment to justice and providing personal attention to each client has earned him the trust of individuals and families throughout Austin. Call 512-246-7753 today to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help.
What Our Clients Are Saying
FAQs
When you’re arrested for a crime in Texas, you have certain rights, and exercising these rights is the first step in your defense. You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions from officers or investigators. You also have the right to request an attorney. You are entitled to confidential conversations with your attorney and to have them present during any questioning. In the United States, you are also presumed innocent until proven guilty. This means that the prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and that you, as a defendant, are not required to prove your innocence.
Under Texas law, you can be arrested for driving while intoxicated if you have a blood alcohol concentration above 0.08 or are showing signs of impairment, such as poor coordination or slurred speech. Once you’ve been arrested, you’ll be taken to be booked at either the jail or the police station. If you fail a chemical test, your license will be confiscated, and you will be given a temporary driving permit that is valid while you are in the process of requesting a hearing. A DWI conviction can result in both administrative penalties and criminal charges, and an attorney can help you navigate both processes.
When someone is arrested for driving while intoxicated, one of the biggest fears they have is that their driving privileges will be revoked. This is a valid fear, as your driver’s license is automatically suspended after a DWI arrest. However, you do have 15 days after the arrest date to request a hearing to fight it. An attorney can help you protect your driving privileges by showing that the officer didn’t have probable cause for the stop or otherwise violated protocol. An attorney may also be able to help you get an occupational license, which allows you to drive for specific reasons only, such as to work or school.
If you’re arrested for a drug offense in Texas, you’re likely to hear about Penalty Groups related to your charges. Texas has four Penalty Groups for controlled substances, and what group a substance is categorized under impacts the severity of the charge. Penalty Groups 1 and 2 are the most serious and involve substances such as cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy. Most prescription drugs are put into Penalty Groups 3 and 4. Marijuana is considered a separate substance entirely and is not included in any of the official Penalty Groups.
Both diversion programs and alternative sentencing options can be possible in some cases. These programs generally focus on rehabilitation instead of punishment, which means they are more likely for first-time or nonviolent offenders. Participating in these programs can help you avoid jail time, and in some cases, it can even lead to a reduced or dismissed charge. Whether your case qualifies for one of these programs depends on the type of charge, the prosecutor’s recommendation, and the judge. Your attorney can help you determine if this is something that makes sense to request and help negotiate the process.
It is possible to be ordered to serve time in jail or even prison as part of your sentence if you are convicted, even if it is your first offense. The likelihood of this happening depends in part on the type and severity of the charge, as well as the prosecution’s case against you. Convictions for felony charges or offenses that include aggravating circumstances are more likely to result in incarceration. Judges do consider factors such as whether you have any prior criminal record when sentencing, and an attorney may be able to help you set up an alternative sentencing option, such as a diversion program.
When you’re convicted of a criminal offense in Texas, you will be sentenced for the crime. What the sentence includes depends on the level of the offense and the circumstances. For example, a Class C misdemeanor conviction generally only results in a fine, while a felony conviction means you’re likely to serve time. The penalties for a criminal conviction in Texas include typically some combination of fines, incarceration, probation, and/or community service. If you’re convicted, you may be able to file an appeal. A defense attorney can help you with this process.
Having a criminal record that comes up on a background check can follow you around for the rest of your life, making it difficult to move forward. Some criminal records in Texas can be sealed through nondisclosure orders or through expunctions. An expunction is a slightly different process that actually clears the record instead of simply sealing it. Not all offenses are eligible for sealing or expunction. In general, the more serious the crime, the harder it is to get it sealed.
Office Location
902 Rio Grande,
Austin, TX 78739
Phone: 512-246-7753
