3 Kinds Of Pretrial Motions

Pretrial motions are powerful tools that your attorney can use to protect your rights after a Texas arrest. There are many different types of pretrial motions. Three common pretrial motions your lawyer could file on your behalf include a motion to suppress evidence, a motion for a continuance, or a motion for a bill of particulars.

Texas arrests are stressful, but hiring a Houston criminal lawyer without delay could strengthen your defense. Some people wait, possibly because they want to see if they will be eligible for representation through a public defender, but the reality is public defenders are not typically assigned to cases until an arraignment. Private counsel can begin working on your case as soon as you hire them, meaning they may be able to file pretrial motions and use other early defense strategies to protect you from severe consequences, and they can begin this process even before an arraignment hearing.

Exploring Pretrial Motion Options

Once you share your story with a Texas attorney, the two of you can discuss defense strategies. If there is a pretrial motion that will support your defense, your legal counsel will begin the filing process. Three common pretrial motions include the following:

• Suppress evidence. A motion to suppress is an action to try and block certain pieces of evidence or statements from being introduced. For instance, if there is proof a search by law enforcement was done without probable cause, it may be possible to stop the prosecution team from using that evidence in court.
• When your legal team needs more time to fortify your defense, they could file a motion for a continuance. Then, the court may decide to grant a delay in the criminal court proceedings. This can be particularly helpful if there is more investigative work to do or if new evidence is being introduced and your legal team would benefit from additional time to strengthen your defense in light of the new information.
• Bill of particulars. When charges are vague or there is a lack of clarity surrounding the charges against you, a motion for a bill of particulars could assist in building a defense. If the motion is granted, the prosecutor will be required to provide a complete itemization of the prosecution’s claims. This could result in a more solid defense strategy.

Talk through your arrest details and the possibility of filing pretrial motions with a Houston criminal lawyer. What motions could be beneficial for you will depend on the details of your case.

What happened during your arrest process? Is it possible you were subject to an illegal search? If so, a pretrial motion could be a path to having your charges dismissed. When you hire a lawyer who is an expert in Texas criminal law, you will have a professional working to connect you with the best outcome given the facts of your case. When you are ready to have a skilled lawyer building your defense, talk to the legal team at Ayson Law Firm. Contact us today for a free consultation.