Principal Office
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
Years Defending Texans
Cases Dismissed
Criminal Cases Handled
Counties Served Across Texas
Available | Serving All of Texas
The first version of your case is usually the state’s version.
A police report turns confusion into “facts.”
A statement gets pulled out of context.
An accusation starts shaping how prosecutors, judges, employers, and even your family may see you.
That is why timing matters.
At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we step in before the state’s version becomes the only version. We examine the evidence, challenge illegal searches and weak assumptions, pressure-test every part of the case, and fight for the outcome that protects your record, your freedom, and your future.
With 35+ years in Dallas criminal courts, we know how cases are built — and where they break.
The first mistake people make after an arrest is trying to talk their way out of it.
You may want to explain what happened, answer “just a few questions,” apologize, contact the alleged victim, or prove you have nothing to hide. That instinct is human. It can also give the state exactly what it needs to build a stronger case.
Before you do anything else, focus on protecting yourself.
Select your charge type to see the first steps that matter most.
Taking the right steps early can help protect your license, your record, and your future.
Police may say they just want your side of the story. Do not answer questions without an attorney.
Even innocent statements can be misunderstood and used against you later.
Say:
“I want to speak with my attorney.”
Then stop talking.
Texts, calls, apologies, or explanations can become evidence and may violate bond conditions or protective orders.
Even if they contact you first, speak with a lawyer before responding.
Do not delete texts, photos, videos, social media messages, receipts, or camera footage.
Evidence that seems unimportant may help your defense later.
Privately document:
Memories fade quickly after an arrest.
After an arrest in Texas, you will usually appear before a magistrate judge for bond.
That judge is not deciding guilt or innocence. They decide whether you are released, how high the bond will be, and whether you are considered a flight risk or danger to the community.
Many people are surprised they do not automatically receive a PR bond.
Violating bond conditions can put you back in jail.
A criminal case starts building immediately after arrest.
Police reports, witness statements, bodycam footage, and prosecutor notes can shape the case before your first court date.
The sooner a defense lawyer gets involved, the sooner they can address bond issues, preserve evidence, challenge weak evidence, and protect you from costly mistakes.
A criminal case does not always end when court does.
One conviction can follow you into job interviews, housing applications, professional licensing, immigration status, custody disputes, firearm rights, and every background check where your name appears.
That is why the goal is not just to “get through the charge.” It is to fight for the outcome that protects your life after the case is over.
Consequence Type | What It Can Mean | Long-Term Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | Background checks, job denials, licensing issues | Lost income, fewer career options, professional setbacks |
| Housing | Rental applications denied or flagged | Harder to lease an apartment or rebuild stability |
| Immigration | Deportation, inadmissibility, naturalization problems | Risk to your ability to stay, return, or become a citizen |
| Firearm Rights | Restrictions after certain felony or domestic violence convictions | Loss of gun ownership or possession rights |
| Education | Application issues, financial aid problems for some drug convictions | Barriers to school, scholarships, or career training |
| Family Life | Custody disputes, protective orders, reputation damage | Strain on parenting, relationships, and personal trust |
| Public Record | Court records appearing in searches or background checks | A case that keeps resurfacing after you move on |
A conviction can quietly shrink your future before you ever get the chance to explain yourself.
Employers, licensing boards, and professional organizations may see the record before they see the person behind it. Even if you are qualified, one conviction can raise questions about trust, judgment, responsibility, or whether you are “too risky” to hire.
That is the part many people do not think about at the beginning. The court penalty may have an end date. A record can keep costing you every time you apply for a better job, a promotion, a license, or a career opportunity that requires a background check.
Landlords may deny applications. Protective orders or bond conditions can affect where you live and who you can contact. A criminal case can also create pressure in custody disputes, divorce proceedings, or family conflict — especially if the charge involves violence, drugs, alcohol, or accusations against someone close to you.
This is where the consequences become personal. It is not only about jail, fines, or probation. It is about whether you can live where you want, support your family, protect your relationships, and move forward without the case following you into every room.
Some consequences do not feel real until the case is already over.
Certain convictions can affect firearm rights, immigration status, travel, naturalization, and whether your record appears in future searches. For non-citizens, even a plea that seems manageable in criminal court can create serious immigration problems later.
That is why the defense strategy needs to look beyond the immediate offer. A fast plea may close the case today, but create problems you are still dealing with years from now.
A criminal offense is what the state accuses you of when it believes you broke a Texas criminal law — whether that means DWI, assault, drug possession, theft, family violence, or another charge.
But an accusation is not enough. Prosecutors still have to prove that you voluntarily did what the law says makes up that specific offense.
That is where many cases are weaker than they first look.
Defense starts with what the state can actually prove — not just what the police report claims.
| Type of Charge | What It Usually Means | What Prosecutors Look For |
|---|---|---|
| DWI | The state claims you drove while intoxicated by alcohol, drugs, or both. | Driving evidence, officer observations, field sobriety tests, breath or blood results, and whether the stop was legal. |
| Assault / Family Violence | The state claims you caused injury, threatened someone, or made physical contact in a way the law treats as offensive or harmful. | Injuries, 911 calls, witness statements, bodycam footage, prior history, and whether the alleged victim’s story stays consistent. |
| Drug Possession | The state claims you knowingly had control over an illegal drug or controlled substance. | Where the drug was found, who had access to it, whether you knew it was there, and whether the search was legal. |
| Theft / Property Crimes | The state claims you took, damaged, or interfered with someone else’s property. | Intent, ownership, value of the property, surveillance footage, receipts, and whether the accusation matches what actually happened. |
| Weapons Charges | The state claims you unlawfully carried, possessed, used, or had access to a weapon. | Location, ownership, access, prior record, whether the weapon was used, and whether police found it legally. |
| Sex Offenses | The state claims illegal sexual conduct, contact, communication, or assault occurred. | Messages, timelines, consent issues, forensic evidence, witness credibility, and whether the accusation tells the full story. |
Probation/ Bond Violations | The state claims you broke a court order or release condition. | Missed appointments, failed tests, new arrests, contact violations, GPS/interlock records, and whether the violation was intentional or explainable. |
After an arrest in Dallas, the case starts moving before you may feel ready.
You may be booked, taken before a magistrate, given bond conditions, assigned a court date, and pushed into a system where missing one step can make the case harder. The goal is to understand the path quickly — so you do not make decisions in the dark.
Here is the usual sequence.
Most Dallas County arrests lead to booking at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. Booking usually includes fingerprints, photographs, property inventory, a background check, and basic health screening.
This is not where you argue the case.
Anything you say can still matter later, so the safest move is to stay quiet and ask for a lawyer.
After booking, you are taken before a magistrate. In Texas, this generally must happen within 48 hours of arrest. The magistrate informs you of the charge, explains certain rights, and addresses bail or release conditions.
This is not your trial.
The biggest issue is usually whether you can be released while the case is pending — and what rules you must follow if released.
Common release conditions may include:
| Condition | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| No contact with alleged victims or witnesses | A single text can create a bond violation or new allegation |
| Drug or alcohol testing | Missed or failed tests can give prosecutors more leverage |
| Travel limits | Leaving Dallas County without permission can cause problems |
| Weapon restrictions | Violations can lead to arrest or stronger prosecution pressure |
| Interlock / monitoring conditions | Especially common in DWI or alcohol-related cases |
After release, you will receive a court date. Dallas County criminal cases are generally handled at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, where Dallas County lists its felony criminal records desk and criminal courts.
This first setting is usually not where the case gets fully argued. It is where the court begins managing the case, confirms representation, sets future dates, and starts moving the file forward.
Do not ignore the date. Missing court can lead to a warrant and make prosecutors less willing to negotiate later.
This is where the defense starts seeing what the state actually has.
That may include police reports, bodycam footage, dashcam video, 911 calls, witness statements, lab results, breath or blood testing, surveillance footage, phone evidence, or search records.
This stage matters because the police report is only the state’s first version. Discovery shows whether that version holds up.
Most criminal cases are fought long before a jury ever hears them.
Depending on the evidence, your lawyer may challenge an illegal stop, suppress evidence, attack weak witness statements, question lab results, push for dismissal or reduction, negotiate a better outcome, or prepare the case for trial.
The point is not to rush into a plea just because the state made an offer. The point is to find where the case is weak before deciding the next move.
A Dallas criminal case may end in several ways:
| Possible Outcome | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Dismissal | The charge is dropped |
| Reduction | The charge is lowered to something less serious |
| Diversion / deferred outcome | You may avoid a final conviction if conditions are completed |
| Plea agreement | The case resolves by agreement with negotiated terms |
| Trial | A judge or jury decides whether the state proved the charge |
The right goal depends on the charge, evidence, criminal history, risk level, and what matters most for your future — your record, job, license, immigration status, family, or freedom.
A DWI case is not just about whether an officer thought you looked intoxicated.
In Texas, prosecutors may try to prove DWI through a BAC of 0.08 or higher, alleged drug or alcohol impairment, field sobriety tests, breath or blood results, and officer observations. Even a first DWI can threaten your license, your record, your job, and your freedom — and repeat offenses or a DWI with a child passenger can raise the stakes fast.
Our Dallas DWI Lawyer team looks at every part of the case: whether the traffic stop was legal, whether testing was reliable, whether the officer followed proper procedures, and whether the state can actually prove intoxication beyond the assumptions in the police report.
Drug charges in Texas can range from simple possession to manufacturing, delivery, or trafficking — but many cases turn on one basic question: can the state prove the drugs were actually yours?
Prosecutors may look at the type of substance, the amount, where it was found, whether it was packaged for sale, and whether anyone made statements tying you to it.
A drug case can involve marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription pills, THC products, paraphernalia, or alleged intent to distribute. Penalties can increase quickly depending on the substance, quantity, location, prior history, and whether the state claims delivery or manufacturing.
Our Dallas Drug Defense Lawyer team examines the search, lab testing, ownership, access, and whether police are turning proximity into proof of possession.
An assault charge in Texas can come from a fight, threat, argument, family conflict, or chaotic situation where the police only hear one side first.
Prosecutors may treat the case as simple assault, aggravated assault, or family violence depending on the alleged injury, relationship between the people involved, whether a weapon was used, and whether they claim the conduct was intentional, knowing, or reckless.
The danger is that a messy confrontation can quickly become a charge that threatens jail, firearm rights, employment, and your record. Simple assault can carry up to one year in jail, while aggravated assault can become a serious felony with prison exposure.
Our Dallas Violent Crime Lawyer team looks at who started the conflict, whether self-defense applies, whether witness stories line up, and whether the alleged injury actually supports the level of charge prosecutors filed.
Theft charges in Texas usually come down to two questions: did you intend to steal, and what was the property actually worth?
Prosecutors may treat shoplifting, theft of services, credit card use, vehicle burglary, or other property accusations differently depending on the value involved and whether they can prove you meant to permanently deprive the owner of the property.
That matters because a misunderstanding, borrowed property, self-checkout issue, disputed ownership, or inflated value can make the charge sound worse than the facts support. Texas theft penalties increase based on value, so challenging the number can be just as important as challenging the accusation itself.
Our Dallas Theft Offenses Defense Attorney team examines intent, ownership, surveillance footage, receipts, witness statements, and whether prosecutors can prove more than a bad-looking moment.
Family violence charges in Texas can start with one 911 call, one argument, or one person’s version of what happened during a heated moment.
These cases may involve spouses, former partners, dating relationships, family members, roommates, or household members — and prosecutors can move forward even when the alleged victim later wants to drop the case.
A conviction can affect more than jail time. Family violence cases can trigger protective orders, firearm restrictions, custody issues, housing problems, job consequences, and a record that follows you long after the relationship conflict is over.
Our Dallas Domestic Violence Lawyer team looks at 911 calls, bodycam footage, injury photos, medical records, witness credibility, self-defense, custody disputes, relationship history, and whether prosecutors are relying on an exaggerated or incomplete version of events.
Weapons charges can escalate a case even when the weapon was never used.
Prosecutors may look at where the weapon was found, whether you had legal authority to carry it, whether you knew it was there, and whether it was connected to another alleged offense.
We challenge unlawful searches, possession assumptions, and whether the item meets the legal definition behind the Weapon Offenses charge.
White collar cases often look clean on paper because prosecutors build them from records, transactions, emails, signatures, and account activity. But a suspicious financial pattern is not the same as fraud, and a business mistake is not automatically criminal intent.
These cases may involve fraud, embezzlement, forgery, identity theft, money laundering, or allegations that money, documents, or access were used dishonestly. Prosecutors usually look for intent to defraud, who had authority, where the money went, what records show, and whether the transaction was hidden or misrepresented.
Our White Collar Crime Defense Lawyer team examines whether the transaction was authorized, mistaken, misunderstood, poorly documented, or legitimate business activity being framed as a crime.
A juvenile case may involve a child, but it should never be treated like “minor trouble.”
In Texas, minors accused of crimes can face the juvenile justice system, but serious allegations may still lead to detention, strict supervision, record consequences, or even adult certification in the most severe cases.
Juvenile cases often start with school fights, theft accusations, fake IDs, drug possession, weapons allegations, or one bad decision that adults quickly turn into a court case.
Prosecutors may look at the child’s age, prior history, school behavior, home supervision, seriousness of the charge, and whether they believe the child should be released, diverted, detained, or transferred to adult court.
Our Dallas Juvenile Defense Lawyer team works to protect the child behind the charge — challenging the evidence, fighting to keep the case in juvenile court when adult certification is a risk, and pursuing outcomes that protect school, record-sealing options, and future opportunities.
A probation violation can put your freedom back at risk even after the original case seemed resolved. Missed meetings, failed drug tests, unpaid fees, unfinished classes, new arrests, travel issues, or contact violations can give prosecutors a reason to ask the court to revoke probation and impose the original jail or prison sentence.
But a violation allegation is not always the full story. Sometimes the issue is a missed reminder, a work conflict, transportation problem, medical issue, misunderstanding, or condition that was harder to complete than it looked on paper.
Our team looks at whether the violation actually happened, whether it was intentional, what proof exists, and whether the court has a better option than revocation — such as modified conditions, more time, treatment, or continued supervision.
The state’s case always sounds strongest before someone takes it apart.
That is the part most people do not see. A police report can sound final. A charge can sound proven. A prosecutor can talk like the outcome is already decided.
It is not.
At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we do not start from the assumption that the state is right. We start from the pressure points: what they can prove, what they cannot, what they skipped, what they stretched, and what they need you to accept without a fight.
That is how we defend criminal cases in Dallas — by making the state earn every inch before your record, freedom, reputation, and future are put on the line.
A criminal charge can feel like the state already has everything it needs.
It does not.
Every case has pieces the prosecution must prove: identity, intent, possession, impairment, injury, value, knowledge, or another required element of the offense. If one of those pieces is weak, missing, exaggerated, or built on assumption, the case may not be as strong as it sounds.
We look for the gap between what the state claims and what the evidence actually proves — then use that gap to push for dismissal, reduction, suppression, or a stronger negotiating position.
A lot of criminal cases begin before the arrest ever happens.
The traffic stop. The search. The officer’s reason for pulling you over. The “consent” you gave because you felt like you had no choice. The phone, car, bag, pocket, home, or room they searched after deciding something “felt off.”
That beginning matters.
If police did not have the legal grounds to stop you, search you, detain you, test you, or seize evidence, the case may be built on something the state should not be allowed to use.
We look at how the evidence was found before we argue about what it means.
Some cases come down to one person’s version of what happened.
That person may be angry, scared, drunk, embarrassed, protecting themselves, trying to win a custody fight, or repeating a story that changed after police got involved.
We do not treat a witness statement like truth just because it appears in a report. We compare it against what can be checked: 911 calls, bodycam footage, texts, photos, injuries, timestamps, location data, prior conflict, and what the witness had to gain or lose.
The question is not just, “What did they say?”
It is, “Does their story survive the evidence?”
The state has power, but it also has rules.
Police cannot ignore your rights because they think you are guilty. Prosecutors cannot hide evidence because it weakens their case. The court cannot treat deadlines, notice, filings, bond conditions, and required procedures like details that do not matter.
We look for the places where the system got sloppy or overconfident: Miranda issues, coerced statements, discovery problems, defective charging documents, missed deadlines, improper bond conditions, unlawful questioning, and other violations that can change the direction of the case.
Sometimes a case starts to crack because someone assumed no one would check the details.
A plea deal is not automatically a win.
It may feel like relief in the moment, but the wrong outcome can leave you with a record, license problem, immigration issue, firearm restriction, job consequence, probation trap, or background-check problem years after court ends.
We do not negotiate from fear. We negotiate after we know where the state is vulnerable.
That may mean pushing for dismissal, reduction, deferred adjudication, diversion, amended charges, lighter conditions, or another result that protects your life after the case — not just the court date in front of you.
Some lawyers are built for negotiation.
Some are built for court.
Richard C. McConathy is built for the moment the state stops asking and starts coming for you.
That is the difference.
He does not walk into a criminal case trying to make everyone comfortable. He walks in looking for pressure points — the weak assumption, the lazy shortcut, the witness story that sounds clean until someone tests it, the charge that looks scarier than the proof behind it.
After 35+ years in Dallas criminal courts, McConathy knows the state’s confidence is not the same thing as evidence.
His job is not to soften the accusation.
It is to make the state prove it.
With 6,000+ cases handled and 1,000+ dismissals, our firm brings the kind of defense pressure you want when your record, freedom, reputation, and future are on the line.
Dallas criminal courts have their own pace, pressure, and personalities.
A case can move from arrest to bond conditions to court settings before you fully understand what is happening. Prosecutors may already have a version of the case. Judges may already be looking at risk, history, and whether you followed release conditions.
McConathy has spent decades in Dallas criminal courtrooms. He knows how cases move, where prosecutors push, and where the pressure points usually are.
That matters because criminal defense is not just knowing the law. It is knowing when to push, when to negotiate, and when the state’s case is weaker than it sounds.
Experience does not matter because it looks good on a website.
It matters because when the state is coming at you, you want a lawyer who has stood in that pressure before.
With 35+ years of criminal defense experience, 6,000+ cases handled, and 1,000+ dismissals, the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy brings serious courtroom experience to cases that can affect your record, freedom, career, family, and future.
We do not treat your case like paperwork to move through the system. We treat it like a fight over what your life looks like after this is over.
Credentials should be more than decorations on an office wall.
They should tell you whether the lawyer has earned respect in criminal court, understands how prosecutors think, and has spent years doing the kind of work your case now demands.
Richard C. McConathy has more than 35 years of criminal defense experience and has served as former Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Criminal Law Section.
That kind of background matters when the charge is serious, the evidence is complicated, or the state is acting like the outcome is already decided.
The last thing you need while facing criminal charges is to feel like you are chasing the person who is supposed to have your back.
A criminal case already comes with enough fear: court dates, bond conditions, prosecutor pressure, and the constant question of what this could do to your record, job, family, and future. Silence from your lawyer only makes that fear worse.
McConathy’s team understands that. We keep you informed, explain what is happening in plain English, and tell you the truth about the risks — even when the truth is hard to hear.
You get clear communication, direct guidance, and a defense team that does not leave you guessing while your future is on the line.
You do not have to call us calm.
Most people call after one of the worst moments of their life: an arrest, a charge, a bond condition they do not understand, a police report that makes them look guilty, or a court date that suddenly makes everything feel real.
You may be scared, angry, embarrassed, confused, or unsure what you are even supposed to ask. That is normal. You do not need to have the right words before you call.
When you contact the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, our first job is to get you oriented: what happened, where the case stands, what can hurt you first, and what needs to happen next.
We give you direction fast — then we start taking the case apart.
The first thing we do is listen.
Not in a vague, passive way — in a way that helps us understand what actually happened, how the case started, where it stands now, and what is weighing on you most.
You may call scared, angry, embarrassed, confused, or talking a mile a minute. That is normal. You do not need to have the story perfectly organized before you call. You do not need to know the legal terms. And you do not need to worry about saying it “the right way.”
We are used to hearing from people in the middle of chaos.
Our job is to slow it down, ask the right questions, and get a clear picture of what happened: the arrest, the charge, the court date, the bond conditions, what was said, who is involved, and what is making this feel most urgent right now.
Before we give direction, we make sure we understand what you are walking into — because good advice starts with getting the full picture first.
Once we understand the situation, we look for the immediate danger points.
That might be a no-contact order, a bond condition you do not understand, a driver’s license issue, a court date coming fast, a probation hold, a statement you already gave, or a charge that is more serious than it first sounded.
This is where McConathy’s approach starts to feel different. We are not just listening to reassure you. We are listening to find where the case can turn against you fastest — and where we need to step in first.
You do not need to know what matters most yet. We know what to look for.
Once we know where the real risks are, we give you direction.
That may mean telling you not to contact someone, not to explain yourself further, not to delete anything, not to post online, and not to assume cooperating more will help.
It also means telling you what to preserve, what deadlines matter, and what needs to happen next so fear does not create more problems than the charge already has.
Once the immediate risks are under control, we explain what you are actually facing.
Not in legal language that makes you feel more confused. In plain English.
We walk you through what the charge means, what prosecutors have to prove, what penalties may be possible, and what consequences could reach beyond court — your record, license, job, family, immigration status, firearm rights, housing, or reputation.
You should not leave the first conversation wondering whether you are overreacting or not taking it seriously enough. You should know what is real, what is still uncertain, and what we are going to look at first.
A police report can make one night look simple, clean, and one-sided.
It may leave out the bad stop, the confusing search, the other person’s role, the missing video, the unreliable witness, the medical issue, the rushed testing, the prior conflict, or the context that changes how the whole case looks.
We start looking for those missing pieces early.
Not to make excuses — but because the state’s version is written to support the arrest. Our job is to find what weakens it.
Once the case starts moving, you should not feel like you are standing outside the process, waiting for someone to tell you what your future looks like.
We keep you close to the strategy. When evidence comes in, we explain what it means. When the prosecutor makes an offer, we walk you through what you gain, what you risk, and what it could cost you later. When a hearing is coming up, we tell you what to expect, what we are preparing for, and what we are trying to accomplish.
You will have someone translating the case as it happens — not after decisions have already been made.
That means clear answers, direct communication, and honest guidance when the news is good, bad, or complicated. You may still be facing a serious situation, but you will not be left alone trying to make sense of it.
The fastest ending is not always the safest ending.
When you are scared, any offer that makes the case feel “over” can sound tempting. But a criminal case does not only end in court. It can follow you into work, family, housing, background checks, your license, and the way people see you.
That is why McConathy does not treat the first offer like a favor.
Before recommending any move, we look at what it gives you, what it costs you, and whether the state is offering it because the case is strong — or because they do not want it tested.
The goal is not just to close the file.
The goal is to get you out with the least damage possible.
You may not know how bad this is yet.
That is exactly why the next call matters.
Maybe the charge still does not feel real. Maybe you are hoping it will calm down on its own. Maybe you are trying to act normal while quietly wondering what this could do to your record, job, family, or freedom.
A free consultation gives you a clearer picture before you make the next move. Call (972) 528-0478 now to speak with a Dallas criminal defense lawyer, available 24/7.
We will help you understand what happens next, what not to do, and how McConathy’s team may be able to start fighting the case before the state’s version gets harder to undo.
Serving Dallas County and 16 counties across North Texas, including Tarrant, Collin, Denton, and Rockwall Counties.
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
Phone: (972) 233-5700
Toll-Free: 888-283-9394
Hours of Operation
Monday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Tuesday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Wednesday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Thursday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Friday | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Saturday | Closed |
Sunday | Closed |
*Meetings at all locations available only by appointment
Yes. A criminal defense lawyer is not only for people who are completely innocent.
Even if you made a mistake, the state still has to prove the charge, follow the rules, and offer an outcome that matches the facts. A lawyer may be able to challenge weak evidence, reduce the charge, protect your record, negotiate better terms, or keep one bad decision from causing maximum damage.
Not always.
A statement can hurt, but it does not automatically mean the case is over. What matters is what you said, how police questioned you, whether you were in custody, whether your rights were respected, and whether the statement actually proves what prosecutors claim it proves.
The most important thing now is to stop talking about the case and let your lawyer review what happened.
Maybe. Criminal records can show up in court databases, background checks, online searches, employment screenings, and sometimes news or jail lookup systems.
But what happens next matters. A dismissal, reduction, expunction, nondisclosure, or favorable resolution may change what follows you later. That is why your defense should be built with your reputation and future background checks in mind from the beginning.
Not without understanding the cost.
A quick plea can feel like relief when you are scared, but it may leave you with a conviction, probation trap, license issue, immigration consequence, firearm restriction, or background-check problem that lasts much longer than the panic you feel today.
Before accepting anything, you need to know what you are giving up, what the state may be afraid to test, and whether there is a cleaner way out.
That can help, but it does not automatically end the case.
Once police and prosecutors are involved, the case belongs to the state — not only to the person who made the accusation. Prosecutors may still move forward using 911 calls, photos, bodycam footage, medical records, witness statements, or prior allegations.
A defense lawyer can look at whether the state still has a case without that person’s cooperation.
Do not do that before speaking with a lawyer.
Even a message meant to calm things down can be used against you. It can look like an admission, intimidation, witness contact, or a bond violation depending on the case. If the other person contacts you first, save the message and do not respond until you know whether it is safe.
The cost depends on the charge, the evidence, the court, and how much work the case is likely to require.
A misdemeanor usually costs less than a felony because the stakes, court settings, investigation, motions, and trial preparation may be different. A DWI, assault, drug case, family violence charge, theft case, or serious felony will not all require the same strategy or fee.
At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we offer free consultations and clear pricing before you hire us. The goal is for you to understand what you are paying for — not just “a lawyer,” but the work needed to protect your record, freedom, and future.
Yes. Charges can be dismissed before trial if the prosecution cannot prove the case, if key evidence is suppressed, if witnesses fall apart, or if the case is resolved through an agreement that avoids a conviction.
But charges usually do not disappear just because you explain your side.
Dismissals often happen because the defense finds pressure points: weak evidence, illegal searches, unreliable witnesses, missing proof, constitutional problems, or facts that make the state’s version harder to prove.
That is why timing matters. The earlier McConathy’s team starts working on the case, the sooner they can look for the weaknesses prosecutors may not want tested.
Whether you're facing a felony charge or fighting a traffic ticket, every case deserves serious attention. Get an experienced defense team in your corner now.
