Frequently Asked Questions
This information is based on procedures in the criminal courts of Travis County and is for educational purposes only. It is NOT LEGAL ADVICE because it does not address the specifics of your situation, which are very important to the outcome of any case.
If you are interested in retaining us to help with a case in Travis County, Texas, please call (512-480-9020) or send email to inquiry@pacefirm.com.
- Do you offer free consultations?
- What do you charge?
- Can an attorney get my case dismissed?
- Will my case go to trial?
- Types of Cases We WILL NOT Take
- How to Verify an Attorney’s Primary Focus
- How to Verify an Attorney’s Success Record
Court:
- Do I have to appear in court?
- Where do I go for my court appearance?
- How can I check my court date?
- What should I wear to court?
- What happens at the first court date?
Criminal History:
- Can I get my criminal record expunged or sealed?
- What is my criminal history?
- How are criminal records created?
- Which organizations compile criminal history data?
- How can I get my Texas DPS criminal record?
- How can I get my FBI criminal record?
- What if my criminal history contains errors?
- Who can access expunged records in Texas?
- Who can access sealed criminal records in Texas?
- Why is my mugshot online after my case was dismissed?
- How can I prove my case was expunged?
Family Violence Assault:
- Where will I go to court for a family violence case?
- What if the alleged victim wasn’t really hurt?
- What are “conditions of bond” in family violence assault cases?
- What is the Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP)?
- What are the collateral consequences of a family violence conviction?
- Can I drop the charges in a family violence case?
- Is Project Options required in family violence cases?
- What is the role of victim services counselors in assault cases?
- Do I have to testify at trial in a family violence case?
- What if the alleged victim is not actually a family member?
- What does “bodily injury” mean in an assault case?
- What is a “choking allegation” in a family violence case?
- What is the penalty range for assault with family violence?
- How do you know if the charge is regular assault or family violence?
- What is wrong with Deferred Adjudication for family violence cases?
- What does Continuous Violence Against The Family mean?
- What does this mean: ASSAULT FAM HOUSE MEM IMPEDE BREATH CIRCULAT?
- What is a Protective Order in a Texas Domestic Assault Case?
- What is the crime Violation of Protective Order in Texas?
- Can you break a lease due to Domestic Violence in Texas?
Assault & Aggravated Assault:
- What is assault?
- What is aggravated assault?
- What is Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon?
- What does “bodily injury” mean in an assault case?
- Where will I go to court for an assault case?
- Do I have to testify at trial?
- What is the penalty range for assault?
- What if the alleged victim wasn’t really hurt?
- Can the alleged victim drop the charges?
- How do assault charges appear on the docket?
- What does “assault by contact” or “simple assault” mean?
- What does “assault by threat” mean?
- What is assault causing bodily injury?
- What is the minimum punishment for Assault?
Driver License Suspension:
Jail:
- How can I find out if someone is in jail?
- How do I get someone out of jail?
- How do I send money to someone in jail?
- What is a jail “walk through”?
- 24 Hour Jail Release on Personal Bond in Austin, Texas
Warrants:
- Has a warrant been issued for my arrest?
- What should I do if a warrant is issued for my arrest?
- Can an arrest warrant be dismissed or recalled?
Legal Terminology:
- What does alleged mean?
- What is a criminal complaint in Texas?
- Who is the complainant in a criminal case?
- What is an Information in a misdemeanor case?
- What is an indictment?
- What is an Affidavit of Non-Prosecution?
- Is Deferred Adjudication the same as Deferred Prosecution?
Other Common Questions:
- Why can’t attorneys guarantee results in criminal cases?
- What is community service restitution (CSR) and how do I complete it?
- How do I complete drug or alcohol counseling/education?
- Do I qualify for early termination of straight probation?
- Do I qualify for early termination of deferred adjudication probation?
- How do I get something notarized?
- Is it legal to publish arrest booking photos?
- What is the crime of Deadly Conduct?
- Does a Protective Order Require Me to Leave a Public Place?
- Who are the Applicant and Respondent in a Protective Order?
- Can Sending Text Messages be a Crime in Texas?
- How Can I See the Police Report when Accused of a Crime?