Frequently Asked Questions

Houston Criminal Defense Attorney

Houston criminal defense attorney James Alston is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Alston is 100% dedicated to defending his clients against criminal allegations and charges. Mr. Alston practices only criminal law in Houston, Texas and the surrounding communities.

Typically, Mr. Alston charges a flat fee that is paid when he takes your case. However, each case is unique and the fee amount is based on several factors such as the seriousness of the criminal charge and the amount of time it will take to investigate and resolve the case. Please contact Houston Criminal Defense Attorney James Alston for a free initial consultation.

That depends on several factors. Do you want to fight the case? Or, do you want to plead guilty for the best deal possible?

Houston criminal defense attorney James Alston's first priority will be to meet with you and learn your side of the case. Mr. Alston will then meet with the prosecutor and review the prosecutor's file and evidence. He will then discuss with you all aspects of the case. If a decision to proceed to trial is made, the case is subject to the court's trial docket, which can take a year or more for trial. If a decision to plea is made, a favorable plea bargain agreement is usually reached within a short amount of time.

Deferred adjudication is a type of probation where if you successfully complete the terms and conditions of probation the case will be dismissed and you will not have a criminal conviction on your record for that offense.

There is a fairly narrow set of rules that allows a judge to order that all of the evidence surrounding your criminal charge should be destroyed - Expunged. However, if you don't qualify for an expungement, you might qualify for an Order of Non-Disclosure. An order of non-disclosure will also prevent an employer or someone else from obtaining the criminal history relating to the criminal charge.

Please call Mr. Alston today at 713-228-1400 to set up an appointment for a free initial consultation. We handle criminal defense cases in Houston, Texas and any of the surrounding communities.