I serve the citizens of Midland and Odessa as well as the surrounding areas in Texas.

Gaines County Criminal Defense Attorney

A criminal charge can change your life in a matter of hours. If you are facing accusations in Gaines County or elsewhere in West Texas, working with a Gaines County criminal defense attorney early can help protect your rights and prepare for the challenges ahead.

At Don R. Fletcher, Attorney at Law, I take a straightforward and honest approach to criminal defense. As a former prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer practicing since 2013, I want to see the evidence before discussing your options. I will tell you what I think, keep you informed and stand as your advocate through every stage of a case involving Gaines County crimes.

Types Of Criminal Law Cases I Handle

Criminal charges can arise from many different situations, and every case deserves careful preparation and attention to detail.

DWI: Helping people accused of driving while intoxicated address criminal charges, license concerns and the penalties that may follow a conviction.
Drug Crimes: Representing clients facing allegations of possession, manufacturing, delivery or other controlled substance offenses under Texas law.
Theft: Defending against accusations involving shoplifting, property theft, fraud and other offenses that can lead to lasting financial and personal consequences.
Assault: Handling cases involving assault, family violence and other allegations of bodily injury or threats of harm while protecting a client’s rights.

As a Gaines County criminal defense attorney, I take the time to research the facts, review the evidence and develop a defense strategy based on your unique circumstances.

Understanding Criminal Penalties By Offense Level

Texas law classifies many Gaines County crimes according to the seriousness of the alleged offense, and those classifications can have a major impact on your future.

Class C misdemeanors may involve fines, while Class A and B misdemeanors can carry jail time and larger financial penalties. State jail felonies may result in confinement in a state jail facility. Third, second and first degree felonies can lead to lengthy prison sentences, and the most serious offenses may expose a person to the harshest penalties allowed by Texas law.

A conviction can affect more than your freedom. Criminal penalties may create challenges for employment, professional licensing and other opportunities.

Get The Answers You Need About Your Case

A criminal charge raises a lot of questions, and you deserve clear answers. Below, I address some of the things people most often ask me so you can have a better sense of where you stand and what comes next.

What happens to your driver’s license immediately after a DWI arrest in Gaines County?

Your driver’s license does not get suspended right away when you get arrested. At the time of your arrest, the officer will likely take your physical license and issue you a Notice of Suspension and Temporary Driving Permit, also known as Form DIC-25. This permit allows you to keep driving legally for up to 40 days from the date of your arrest.

Within those 40 days, you have a narrow but important window to act. Texas law gives you only 15 days from your arrest date to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing with the Texas Department of Public Safety. This hearing is your first chance to challenge the suspension before it takes effect. If you miss that 15-day deadline, the suspension kicks in automatically on the 41st day with no opportunity to contest it beforehand.

How are drug charges categorized under the Texas Controlled Substances Act?

The Texas Controlled Substances Act places most controlled substances into four penalty groups, each carrying its own potential penalties. Here is a breakdown of how those groups work:

Penalty Group 1: This group covers substances like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and opioids, mescaline, ketamine and psilocybin. Penalties range from two years in jail up to a life sentence and a $250,000 fine for the largest amounts.
Penalty Group 1-A: This applies specifically to LSD, with penalties based on the number of abuse units rather than weight.
Penalty Group 2: This group includes MDMA, PCP and hashish. Penalties range from two years in jail up to a life sentence and a $50,000 fine.
Penalty Group 3: This group covers benzodiazepines, anabolic steroids and other prescription medications with abuse potential. Penalties range from one year in jail up to 20 years in prison.
Penalty Group 4: This group includes certain opiates and chemical compounds not covered by the other groups, with penalties comparable to Penalty Group 3.

Understanding these classifications is an important first step in making sense of your situation and the options available to you.

How does the juvenile justice system in Texas differ from adult criminal court?

Typically, adult criminal court aims to hold people accountable through sentencing. Meanwhile for young people in Gaines County, juvenile court aims to help them correct their behavior and move forward. In Texas, the juvenile system generally applies to individuals between the ages of 10 and 16. At 17, Texas law treats a person as an adult.

Your Freedom Is My Priority

If you are facing criminal allegations in Gaines County or elsewhere in West Texas, do not wait to learn about your options. Contact Don R. Fletcher, Attorney at Law, by calling 432-999-5926 or through the online contact form to discuss your case.