Unlawful Carry of a Weapon Defense Attorneys Serving Dallas

Have the police arrested you for unlawfully carrying a weapon? You may not have realized that carrying a weapon under certain circumstances could break the law. However, a conviction for unlawfully carrying a weapon can have significant consequences for your future. You need experienced legal advocacy to help you pursue a favorable resolution to your charges. Contact My Dallas Criminal Lawyer today for an initial case evaluation with an experienced Dallas unlawful carry of a weapon defense attorney to discuss your options.

Do You Need an Attorney to Face Unlawful Carry of Weapon Charges?

When facing the criminal justice system on charges of unlawfully carrying a weapon, an attorney can help you secure a better outcome for you. Let a lawyer from My Dallas Criminal Lawyer assist you in facing criminal prosecution by:

• Investigating your charges to obtain evidence that can help us build a compelling legal defense
• Reviewing the facts of your case to identify potential case strategies
• Helping you understand your charges and the potential outcomes of your case to ensure you can make informed decisions
• Contesting the prosecution’s case against you at every opportunity, including defending your rights by seeking to exclude evidence unlawfully obtained by police
• Fighting your case as hard as necessary, even when that means going to trial

Why Choose a Defense Lawyer from My Dallas Criminal Lawyer?

Getting charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon in Dallas can put your reputation, freedom, and future at risk. As a result, your choice of legal representation may be one of the most important decisions you make in your case. Turn to the legal team at My Dallas Criminal Lawyer to help you fight for a favorable resolution to your charges because:

• Our criminal defense lawyers have earned a reputation for thorough case preparation, vigorous courtroom advocacy, and top-quality client service.
• We tailor our strategy to each client’s specific needs, concerns, and goals in their unique case.
• When you choose our firm to represent you, you will work directly with a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who will hear your story, explain your options, and persuasively advocate for a positive outcome.
• Our attorneys leverage their extensive knowledge and litigation experience to protect your rights and interests in the criminal justice system.

Understanding Unlawful Carry of Weapon Charges in Dallas

Texas’s unlawful carrying weapons statute, Section 46.02 of the Texas Penal Code, makes it an offense to carry a weapon under certain circumstances:

• Individuals under 21 or who have prior violent criminal convictions may not carry a handgun unless they’re on their own property or inside or directly en route to their vehicle
• People may not carry a handgun in plain view in a vehicle or boat unless they are 21 or older, possess a license to carry, and keep the gun in a holster
• A person may not carry a handgun while engaging in criminal activity other than Class C misdemeanors related to traffic or boating
• Individuals under 18 may not carry a location-restricted knife unless they’re on their own property or inside or directly en route to their vehicle
• A person cannot carry and intentionally display a handgun in public unless they carry it in a holster that makes it partially or wholly visible
• Individuals may not carry handguns while intoxicated unless on their own property, in their own vehicle, or with permission to do so on someone else’s private property or in their vehicle
• A person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm may not carry a handgun outside their own property or vehicle 

Frequently Asked Questions About Unlawful Carry of Weapon Charges

Common questions clients facing unlawful carrying weapons charges may have include:

 What penalties could I face for a conviction for unlawful carry of weapons?

 By default, unlawful carrying of weapons constitutes a Class A misdemeanor in Texas, which imposes a penalty of up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both incarceration and a fine. However, unlawfully carrying a location-restricted knife as a minor constitutes a Class C misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $500. Furthermore, unlawfully carrying a handgun while prohibited from possessing a firearm constitutes a third-degree felony if a person’s prohibition stemmed from a Class A misdemeanor domestic violence conviction or from an order of protection, or a second-degree felony if a person’s conviction stemmed from a felony conviction.

A third-degree felony conviction can impose a penalty of two to ten years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000. A second-degree unlawful carrying weapons conviction imposes a penalty of five to 20 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000.

What defense strategies could I pursue against charges of unlawful carry of weapons?

When facing charges for unlawfully carrying weapons, you might have various defenses to raise against your charges. Potential defense strategies for your case might include:

• Lack of Intent – The unlawfully carrying statute sometimes requires an offender to have acted with a specific degree of criminal intent (e.g., intentionally, knowingly, recklessly).
• Lack of Possession – A defendant may argue that the evidence does not prove they had actual or constructive possession of the weapon.
• Lawful Carrying – Defendants may provide evidence of a firearms license that legalized their carrying of a handgun.
• Unlawful Search by Police – A defendant may assert that police seized a weapon through an unlawful search that lacked a warrant or probable cause.

What steps should I take after an arrest?

Following an arrest, you can best protect your interests by invoking your right to remain silent, refraining from answering questions or speaking to the police, and requesting to consult a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. 

Contact Our Firm Today to Discuss Your Legal Options

After an arrest for unlawfully carrying weapons, you deserve experienced legal counsel who can help you pursue a favorable resolution to your charges. Contact the team at My Dallas Criminal Lawyer today by calling 214-949-4117 to arrange a confidential consultation with a knowledgeable weapons charge defense attorney. We look forward to learning about your case and helping you understand how we can assist you.