Being charged with a crime in San Marcos can leave you reeling as you search for someone to help you. A San Marcos criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the charges against you, explain what prosecutors must prove, and develop a plan to respond to your case. Whether you are dealing with a first-offense DWI, a drug charge, or an assault allegation, early legal guidance can affect your options, including whether a prosecutor reduces charges or a court excludes certain evidence.
At Austin Hagee Law Firm, we represent individuals across San Marcos, Hays County, and Central Texas who face serious criminal accusations, including DWI/DUI, drug offenses, domestic violence, and related matters. We focus on clear communication, responsive service, and practical defense strategies. We negotiate with prosecutors when appropriate and prepare your case for court when necessary. We understand how quickly a single charge can affect your education, career, and reputation, and we work to help you make informed decisions at every stage.
A San Marcos criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the charges against you, explain what prosecutors must prove, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your circumstances.
Austin Hagee Law Firm regularly handles DWI/DUI cases, drug charges, assault allegations, family violence matters, ALR hearings, and other criminal defense cases throughout Hays County.
The Texas criminal process generally includes arrest, bond, arraignment, pretrial proceedings, negotiations, and potentially a jury trial if the case does not resolve beforehand.
Early legal representation can help identify weaknesses in the State’s evidence, challenge unlawful searches or procedures, and create opportunities for reduced charges or dismissal.
Texas State University students may face both criminal court proceedings and university disciplinary actions, making it important to understand how the two processes can affect each other.
What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Do?
A criminal defense attorney helps you respond to criminal charges in a structured, strategic way. We work with you to create a plan to challenge the State’s case and advise you on each decision you need to make.
Your criminal lawyer in San Marcos should:
- Explain your charges and possible outcomes. We explain what the State must prove and what penalties, such as jail time, fines, or probation, a judge may impose.
- Investigate the facts of your case. We review police reports, body camera footage, lab results, and witness statements.
- Identify weaknesses in the State’s evidence. We look for unlawful searches, unreliable testing, or mistakes made by officers during their investigation.
- Negotiate with prosecutors. We discuss whether prosecutors will reduce charges, dismiss allegations, or resolve the case without trial.
- Represent you in court. We advocate for you at hearings, argue legal issues, and present your case at trial if needed.
Each case depends on specific facts, including the evidence, the court handling the case, and your personal goals.
What Does Austin Hagee Law Firm Do?
Austin Hagee Law Firm defends individuals against a range of criminal charges that frequently arise in San Marcos and Hays County. In San Marcos, many cases involve first-time charges or student-related incidents, which can shape the defense strategy from the start.
We frequently handle cases involving:
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges—first-offense and repeat DWI cases, DUI cases involving drivers under 21, and related license suspension issues through Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearings;
- Drug charges—possession of marijuana, THC vape pens, or other controlled substances and paraphernalia;
- Assault and family violence allegations—physical contact, threats, or disputes between individuals; and
- Alcohol-related offenses—charges related to underage drinking, fake identification, or alcohol-related incidents tied to social events.
Our experience handling these types of cases enables us to develop and execute case strategies more efficiently.
How Does the Criminal Justice Process Work in Texas?
If you have never gone through the system before, the criminal justice process can disorient and confuse. Knowing what to expect and promptly hiring a criminal defense attorney helps you understand the law, process, and system so you can make informed decisions about your defense.
Arrest and Bond
A case typically begins when an officer makes an arrest. During the arrest stage, officers may search your property, ask questions, or perform tests, such as field sobriety testing in a DWI investigation.
After an arrest, you appear before a magistrate—a judge who reviews the charges and sets bond. You can typically post a bond (bail) to remain out of custody while the charges against you move through the legal system.
Arraignment
At arraignment, the court reads your charges and asks you to enter a plea. When you enter a plea, you tell the court whether you agree that you committed the crime, in which case you plead guilty, or disagree that you committed the crime, meaning you plead not guilty.
Pretrial
During pretrial proceedings, both sides review evidence and prepare their cases. As your criminal lawyer in San Marcos, we work with you to review the evidence the State shares and coordinate a defense strategy. We may file motions asking the court to, for example, exclude certain evidence, such as evidence officers collected through an unlawful search. We also negotiate with prosecutors about possible resolutions, including reduced charges, plea deals, and, in limited circumstances, dismissals.
Trial
If your case does not resolve, the State will hold a criminal trial against you. There, prosecutors must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Trial involves:
- Selecting a jury,
- Presenting evidence and witnesses,
- Challenging the prosecution’s case through cross-examination, and
- Making legal arguments to the court.
At Austin Hagee Law Firm, we help you avoid a trial when appropriate, but we are always ready to defend you in a trial when it comes down to it.
Post-Trial and Appeals
If the judge or jury convicts you, you may go through additional steps. First, you go through sentencing, where the judge decides on penalties, such as fines and jail time.
When the prosecutor or judge made mistakes during the trial, you might also have reason to appeal a conviction or file a motion for a new trial. For example, you may challenge a conviction if the court admitted evidence obtained in violation of the Constitution.
San Marcos and Texas State University Considerations
San Marcos is home to Texas State University, and students often face unique consequences when dealing with criminal charges. When you are a student, criminal charges can also impact:
- University disciplinary proceedings,
- Scholarships and financial aid eligibility,
- Housing status, and
- Future job or graduate school applications.
Students often face two separate processes at the same time: a criminal case in court and a disciplinary process through the university. These parallel processes can move at different speeds and follow different standards, which makes coordination between them critical.
If you are looking for a criminal defense lawyer for Texas State University students, Austin Hagee Law Firm can help you understand how these processes intersect and how decisions in one may affect the other.
Speak with a San Marcos Criminal Defense Attorney Today
A criminal charge can affect your future, and you do not have to navigate the process of responding to the charge alone. At Austin Hagee Law Firm, we focus on identifying weaknesses in the State’s case early and helping you understand how your case may be handled in Hays County and what steps make sense moving forward.
If you are searching for a San Marcos criminal defense lawyer, contact us today by calling us at 726-223-6041.
FAQs
A San Marcos criminal defense lawyer reviews the evidence, explains the charges against you, identifies weaknesses in the State’s case, negotiates with prosecutors, and represents you in court. Their role is to protect your rights and help you make informed decisions throughout the criminal process.
Austin Hagee Law Firm regularly handles DWI and DUI charges, drug offenses, THC vape pen cases, assault allegations, domestic violence matters, alcohol-related offenses, Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearings, and other criminal defense cases throughout Hays County and Central Texas.
After an arrest, you are generally booked into jail and brought before a magistrate who reviews the charges and determines bond. If bond is granted and posted, you may remain out of custody while your criminal case moves through the court system.
Yes. Depending on the facts, charges may be dismissed if the evidence is insufficient, constitutional rights were violated, witnesses are unreliable, or legal issues undermine the prosecution’s case. Each situation depends on its unique facts and procedural history.
Students may face both criminal court proceedings and university disciplinary actions. Criminal charges can also impact scholarships, financial aid, campus housing, student organizations, internships, and future educational or employment opportunities.
No. Many criminal cases resolve through plea negotiations, diversion programs, reduced charges, or dismissals. However, if a favorable resolution cannot be reached, your attorney may recommend taking the case to trial.
Early representation allows an attorney to preserve evidence, advise you on your rights, challenge improper police procedures, and begin building a defense before critical opportunities are lost. Early intervention can significantly affect the outcome of a case.
Yes. Criminal convictions often appear on background checks and can affect employment, professional licensing, housing applications, educational opportunities, and other areas of daily life.
Legal References Used to Inform This Page
To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal resources during the content development process: