Frisco Felony Defense Lawyer for Serious Criminal Charges
A felony charge puts your freedom, your career, and your rights on the line. Al Rowland represents people facing felony accusations in the Collin County and Denton County district courts, from the first bond hearing through grand jury review, negotiation, and trial.
Under Investigation or Charged With a Felony in Frisco?
Felony cases are handled differently from misdemeanors. They are reviewed by a grand jury, heard in district court, and carry punishment that can include years in prison. A felony conviction also brings lasting consequences, including the loss of firearm rights and barriers to employment, housing, and professional licensing.
We defend a wide range of felony charges, including:
Texas Felony Classes and Punishment Ranges
Prior felony convictions can enhance the punishment range, sometimes dramatically. Understanding exactly which range applies to you is the starting point of every defense strategy.
| Classification | Confinement | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| State jail felony | 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility | $10,000 |
| Third-degree felony | 2 to 10 years in prison | $10,000 |
| Second-degree felony | 2 to 20 years in prison | $10,000 |
| First-degree felony | 5 to 99 years or life in prison | $10,000 |
| Capital felony | Life without parole or death | — |
From Arrest to Indictment: The Grand Jury Process
After a felony arrest in Frisco, the case is filed with the district attorney in Collin or Denton County. Before it can go forward, prosecutors must present it to a grand jury, a panel of citizens that decides whether there is probable cause to indict.
The grand jury stage is an often-overlooked opportunity. A defense attorney can submit evidence and context in a grand jury packet, and in the right case, the grand jury may decline to indict, which is called a “no-bill.”
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Arrest, magistration, and bond
Bond amount and conditions are set, usually at the Collin County or Denton County jail.
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Case filed and reviewed
Police send the case to the district attorney’s office for review.
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Grand jury
The grand jury returns an indictment or a no-bill.
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District court proceedings
Arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, and plea negotiations.
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Resolution or trial
Dismissal, reduced charges, probation, or a jury trial.
Bond Hearings, Examining Trials, and Early Case Strategy
What happens in the first weeks of a felony case often shapes everything that follows.
Bond reduction
If bond was set too high, or conditions are unworkable, we can ask the court to reduce or modify them so you can return to work and family.
Examining trial
Before indictment, Texas law allows a hearing to test whether probable cause exists. It can also preserve testimony and reveal the State’s evidence early.
Independent investigation
We secure video, phone records, and witness statements before they disappear, rather than relying only on the police version.
Possible Outcomes Short of Prison
Every case is different, and no attorney can promise a result. But many felony cases end without a prison sentence.
No-bill or dismissal
The case ends, and you may be eligible for an expunction.
Reduction
A felony reduced to a misdemeanor avoids many lifelong consequences.
Deferred adjudication
Completing community supervision without a final conviction.
Probation
Community supervision in place of incarceration.
What People Ask Us About Felony Cases
What does it mean to be “no-billed” by a grand jury?
A no-bill means the grand jury decided not to indict you. The case does not proceed at that time, and you may be eligible to have the arrest expunged after any applicable waiting period.
Should I talk to a detective who calls me about a felony investigation?
Speak with a defense attorney first. You have the right to remain silent, and an attorney can communicate with investigators for you, which may help avoid charges or limit the damage of an interview.
Can I get probation for a felony in Texas?
Many felonies are eligible for probation or deferred adjudication, depending on the offense, the facts, and your criminal history. Some serious offenses limit or exclude those options.
What rights do I lose with a felony conviction?
A felony conviction can affect your right to possess firearms, serve on a jury, and hold certain professional licenses, and it can temporarily affect voting rights while you are serving your sentence.
Get an Advocate on Your Side Now
The decisions made in the first days of a felony case matter. Contact us for a confidential consultation.
469-895-6555 Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC6160 Warren Pkwy Ste. 100
Frisco, TX 75034
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Your request has been received, and we will be in touch shortly. If you are being questioned or have a hearing soon, please call 469-895-6555.