Midland Weapons Crimes Defense Lawyer

The state of Texas has more registered firearms than anywhere else in the United States. With over a million guns legally owned, Texas has nearly double the number of firearms of any other state. And while the vast majority of these guns are used responsibly, for either hunting or self-defense, there are cases where their use steps outside the boundaries of the law. When charges are filed, a Midland weapons crimes defense lawyer, schooled in the nuances of Texas law, can fight for the rights of the accused.

Attorney Tommy W. Hull has over 15 years of experience in criminal law. He knows not everyone charged with a crime is a bad person–and that they may not even be guilty. But no matter what, they deserve a fair trial led by a lawyer who believes in them. Tommy W. Hull PC serves all of Midland County and extends into Odessa.

Call the office at (432) 223-0044 or contact him online to set up a free consultation.

Weapons Crimes in Texas

One important caveat is that while weapons charges are commonly associated with guns, the legal application is broader. The state of Texas defines a weapon as a club, or a knife with a blade that exceeds 5 ½ inches in length.

Penalties for Weapons Crimes

The sentence for anyone convicted of a weapons crime will depend on the severity of the offense and whether the convicted person has a previous criminal record. The range of possibilities covers everything from a small fine (for a Class C misdemeanor) to life in prison (for a 1st-degree felony). Suffice it to say, most everything in between is also on the table.

What has to be emphasized though, is the sanctions that follow a weapons crime conviction even after a fine has been paid or jail time served. To start with, a conviction for any offense can impact someone’s future ability to find housing and employment.

If a weapons crime is even as high as Class B misdemeanor (the second-lowest possible charge on the legal totem pole), the person is ineligible to own a legal handgun. If a felony weapons charge sticks, the person will not be able to take a gun outside ever again. To give this some context, non-weapons felony convictions do not  automatically carry this penalty with them.

Furthermore, Texas weapons law is not the only factor. Federal charges may also be involved, depending on the nature of the case. When that happens, it’s possible for a defendant to face charges from both state prosecutors and federal prosecutors and to have to deal with two different trials.

Things can look bleak when you’re charged with a weapons crime. Your defense attorney is there to work with you on a path towards hope.