Trial
Being charged with a crime can be a scary time. It is crucial to hire an experienced and trustworthy criminal trial attorney.
The key to becoming a good criminal trial lawyer is preparation. There can be no substitute for the work the attorney must do the weeks and days before a trial. This philosophy is the cornerstone to Ms. Dunn's successful criminal defense practice.
Weeks before trial (and perhaps months), Ms. Dunn will begin the initial investigation into the case. This includes reviewing the state's evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts. Once the theme of the defense becomes clear, Ms. Dunn devotes significant time to legal research.
Not only must Ms. Dunn be prepared to object at trial when the government's attorney steps over the evidentiary line, but she must also be able to defend her own actions against the government's objections.
A week before trial, Ms. Dunn will meet with her client. This meeting will be long and detailed. The purpose of the meeting is to completely prepare the client for what is to come. All questions will be answered; all fears will be addressed.
By the time they walk into the courtroom the morning of trial, both Ms. Dunn and her client are prepared for trial.
Contact Adrienne Dunn regarding your criminal trial.
Felonies
- Fraud/Theft
- Conspiracy
- Drugs
- Sexual Assault
- Assault
- Murder
- Criminaly negligent homicide
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Probation violation
- Sexual Assault
- Injury to a child
- Arson
- Criminal Mischief
- Robbery
- Misapplication of fiduciary duty
- Securing execution of document by deception
- Breach of computer security
- Money Laundering
- Insurance Fraud
- Medicare Fraud
- Medicaid Fraud
- Mail Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Bribery
- Obstruction of justice
- Tampering with a government record
- Resisting Arrest
- Obscenity
- Intoxication assault
- Intoxication manslaughter
- Engaging in organized crime
Misdemeanors
- Fraud/Theft
- Conspiracy
- Drugs
- DWI (Driving While Intoxicated)
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
- Public intoxication
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Assault
- Probation violation
- Criminal Mischief
- Evading Arrest
- Disorderly Conduct
- Unlawful carrying of a weapon
- Harassment
- Prostitution
Texas Trial locations
Some of Ms. Dunn's practice locations include:
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- Dallas County
- Tarrant County
- Collin County
- Denton County
- Hunt County
Trial - FAQ
What does it mean that I have been indicted?
An indictment is a piece of paper from the grand jury authorizing the prosecutor to go forward with the prosecution of you. The indictment is not evidence of guilt. Instead, the indictment is the formal charge. It allows you to know what you are being charged, what day the offense allegedly occurred, and who is bringing the allegations.
When do I need to hire an attorney?
You will absolutely need an attorney once you have been indicted. However, there is no harm is hiring an attorney earlier. In most circumstances, the legal fees will not increase and it will give you piece of mind to know that you have a lawyer on your side as soon as possible.
I have been indicted. How long must I wait before my trial?
The length of time between indictment and trial varies depending on the jurisdiction (state or federal) and the court. Another factor may be the complexity of the case. Usually, it will be at least several months before your trial.
What is bond or bail?
Bond is the amount of money the court has determined you or your family needs to provide to the court in order to secure your appearance at all the court dates. If you decide to pay the entire bond amount, it will be returned to you once the case is complete. However, if you cannot afford to pay the entire amount, you may be interested in using a bondsman. In that situation, you pay a percentage of your bond to the bondsman and the bondsman pays the remainder to the court. Once the case is disposed of, the bondsman receives the entire amount in refund and keeps your initial percentage as their fee. Either method is perfectly acceptable, it is simply a financial matter.
The police want to talk with me. What should I do?
Whether to waive your right to silence is a complicated matter. In this situation, it is best to hire an attorney and discuss the matter in detail before making any decisions.
Can I testify at my trial?
Yes. You have the right to testify at your trial. You also have the right not to testify at your trial and no one can force you. Whether to testify at trial or not is a very serious matter and you and your attorney will want to discuss this at length before making a decision.
Will I need to hire an investigator for my trial?
You may need to hire an investigator. There may be witnesses that need to be interviewed and subpoenaed which is best handled by an experienced investigator. The cost for the investigator is separate from the attorney fees.
Will I need an expert for my trial?
Whether you need an expert for your trial will depend on the offense you are charged with and the defense to that offense. As with the investigator fees, expert fees are separate from attorney fees.
I have a case in Dallas County state court. Do I need to show up for all the case settings?
In Dallas County, for misdemeanors, you will need to appear at the disposition settings only. In Dallas County, for felonies, you will likely need to appear at all the case settings. However, at the first case setting, I will ask the court coordinator if you can be excused from all other non-disposition case settings.
What is discovery?
Discovery is the term for the information the prosecution provides to the defense so that the defense may be prepared for trial. For instance, copies of the law enforcement reports may be turned over to the defense as discovery. In most situations, your attorney will be able to show you the entire discovery.