You need a plan. We’ve written a thousand of them.
Most criminal defense websites will tell you they're aggressive fighters. What you actually need right now is a plan, a quiet room, and two attorneys who have spent half their careers on the other side of this, and know exactly how it's going to unfold.
The first hour after an arrest matters more than most of what happens after.
People call us in the worst hour of their life and expect us to sell them something. We'd rather tell you the truth, for free, before you decide anything.
Below is what we tell everyone in the first five minutes of a call. If you still want to talk after reading it, that's when we can help.
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Stop talking. Right now.Not to the arresting officer, not to your cellmate, not to "clear things up." Politely say: "I want to speak to a lawyer." Then stop. Your silence is not evidence. Your words almost always are.
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Understand the clock.In Texas, you are entitled to a magistrate hearing quickly. That's where bail gets set. Don't assume "they'll get around to it." Someone needs to be advocating on your behalf before you ever see that judge.
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Do not post to social media.Not an apology, not a denial, not a cryptic post. Prosecutors pull everything. A photo from six months ago, out of context, has sent people to prison.
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Write down everything you remember.Times. Names of officers. What was said, exactly. What room. What happened to your phone. Memory fades in 24 hours and we will need it to work an evidentiary challenge .
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Call us or call someone. Just not them.Whether it's us or another attorney, get one before your next conversation with any investigator. Initial consultations with our firm are free. No obligation, no sales pitch.
Two former prosecutors.
One former Judge.
Two lawyers.
Most criminal defense websites tell you they're aggressive fighters. What you actually need is a plan, a quiet room, and attorneys who've spent their careers on every side of this courtroom: prosecuting, judging, and defending.
Most cases don't go to trial.
You're scared. That's normal. There's still a lot you can do.
Half the people who call this firm aren't the defendant. They're a mother, a wife, a father, a best friend. Nobody ever taught them how a bail hearing works or what a magistrate is. We wrote a short guide for you that assumes you know none of it, and starts from there.
Read the family's guide →What clients actually say.
he staff at Murphy and Bakers law firm are courteous, professional and friendly. I highly recommend Joel Baker to anyone who is seeking consultation for their juvenile. Mr. Baker helped our 16 year old son tremendously with his case despite having very little preparation time. He is very knowledgeable, hard working, and offered much needed support.
would recommend this firm to anyone. They have worked very hard to help resolve my case recently. They are definitely worth the money. They stand behind what they tell you and follow through with it. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Baker are exceptional lawyers and would definitely use them again if I needed too.
urphy & Baker have helped me out on more than one occasion. Their attentiveness and quick response time was fantastic! They took care of the work and details for me, staying in communication along the way. I will refer all my friends and acquaintances their way!
oe and Joel are equally amazing individuals and exceptional attorneys. They will fight vigorously for you or a loved one. They are very affordable, and have a great team. Their paralegal, Nadia, is a wonderfully helpful woman you can find located at the front desk of the office downtown. If you ever have questions or are seeking updates on your current case she will be ready with quick responses. I truly cannot count the references I have made to people to use these outstanding men. The results speak volumes. If you are uncertain on whom to retain to represent you, I will make it quite easy to decide, Murphy & Baker is always the way to go, no questions about it! Thank you for all that you have done.