Aggressive Houston Weapons Charge Lawyer For Tough Gun Cases
Texas gun laws protect your Second Amendment rights to bear arms, but also create strict boundaries that carry harsh penalties when crossed. The consequences of weapons offenses extend beyond potential jail time and fines – they can affect your freedom, career and ability to own firearms in the future. When facing these charges, you need a Houston weapons charge lawyer who knows the complexity of the legal system and your personal situation.
Our attorneys at Paul Morgan Law Office, PLLC, bring real-world experience to your defense, having fought for clients in Houston courtrooms for over a decade. Led by board-certified criminal defense attorney Paul Morgan, our team approaches each case with determination and fierce protection of your constitutional rights. Whether you are a law-abiding gun owner caught in a legal misunderstanding or someone with prior convictions facing new charges, we are here to fight for your rights with both legal strength and personal compassion.
Types Of Weapons Charges We Defend
Many people find themselves facing weapon charges due to confusion about changing laws, misunderstandings about where they can legally carry or even false accusations. We bring detailed knowledge of Texas and federal weapons law to every case we handle. Here are some of the most common weapons offenses we handle in Houston:
- Unlawful carry: Texas penalizes carrying a firearm without proper licensing, in restricted areas or while intoxicated.
- Felon in possession of a firearm: Texas and federal laws prohibit people with felony convictions from possessing firearms.
- Reckless discharge: Firing a weapon within city limits or in public areas violates laws in most Texas municipalities, regardless of whether anyone was endangered.
- Carrying in prohibited locations: Bringing weapons into airports, schools, government buildings, polling places or businesses with proper signage leads to immediate charges.
- Weapons during drug or violent crimes: Having a firearm during another criminal offense dramatically increases penalties and often triggers additional charges with mandatory minimum sentences.
- Unlawful sale: Buying firearms for someone else who cannot legally purchase them, for instance, a minor, violates both state and federal law.
A conviction for a weapons-related assault or a charge stemming from a domestic conflict can result in lengthy prison sentences and the permanent loss of your gun rights. More serious charges, especially those tied to other felonies like murder, carry life-altering consequences.
Common Legal Questions About Gun Charges In Texas
When weapons charges disrupt your life, you need straight answers fast. Below, we compiled the most common questions we receive from clients as they try to understand what they face.
Why do I need a Houston gun charge lawyer?
Gun laws in Texas combine complex state regulations with strict federal statutes. A dedicated weapons charge lawyer knows how these laws apply to your specific situation and can spot issues that might help your case. As your criminal defense team, our job is to examine how the police handled evidence in your case and identify any potential issues that could affect your case.
Can weapons charges be expunged from my record in Houston?
Yes, the law allows the removal of weapons charges in Texas, but eligibility depends on several key factors. If your case was dismissed, you completed a pretrial diversion program or you were found not guilty at trial, you likely qualify for expungement.
If you were convicted, the process becomes more difficult. You might qualify for an order of nondisclosure in certain misdemeanor cases after completing your sentence and waiting periods. This does not erase the record but seals it from public view. Felony weapons convictions generally cannot be expunged or sealed in Texas.
When do weapons charges become federal?
A state weapons charge becomes a federal case when it violates a national law that applies across the country. This often happens in the following scenarios:
- The case involves a person prohibited by federal law from owning a gun, such as someone with a felony conviction.
- There was a use of a firearm in a federal crime, such as drug trafficking or bank robbery.
- The case involves a federally regulated weapon, such as a machine gun or silencer, without proper registration.
Because the stakes are so high, it is critical to have a defense team that has experience fighting these specific types of cases.
Put A Board-Certified Defender In Your Corner
Your rights matter, and you deserve a strong defense that acknowledges both the legal complexities and your personal situation. Reach out to our office today at 713-364-0209 or complete this online form to schedule a consultation with our team of trusted Houston weapons charge lawyers.