Dallas DFW Airport Arrest Lawyer

Dallas DFW Airport Arrest Attorney

The airports throughout the United States are heavily monitored by police, and many federal agencies are responsible for the safety of airport operations throughout the country. At Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Airport, an arrest by airport police can be a life-changing experience. If you or a family member was recently arrested, it is vital to consult a DFW Airport arrest lawyer as quickly as possible to start building your defense.

Experienced Criminal Defense Counsel for DFW Airport Arrests

The attorneys at Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, offer experienced criminal defense representation for clients who have been charged with criminal activity at the DFW Airport. Our team believes in the responsive and aggressive defense of our clients’ rights. While it’s common for people to break the law in various ways in American airports, it is also possible for an individual to be unlawfully arrested for a crime they did not commit.

Whatever your situation entails, trust an experienced DFW Airport arrest lawyer to determine the reality of your situation and discern your most viable defenses. You may be able to prove you did not commit the offense or broke the law due to circumstances beyond your control. If you committed an offense at the DFW Airport, your lawyer can be your most valuable asset when it comes to mitigating the penalties you could face in sentencing.

Know Your Constitutional Rights

Whenever an American citizen is arrested for a criminal offense, they have two very important constitutional rights that come into play in this situation. First is their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Once you are placed under arrest, you are under no obligation to answer any questions or sign any statements for the police, no matter what they may claim otherwise. Comply with arresting officers, but say nothing until you can speak to a defense attorney.

Second is your right to legal counsel under the Sixth Amendment. You have the right to an attorney and should make every effort to speak with an experienced and reliable DFW Airport arrest lawyer as quickly as possible after arrest and booking. The sooner you connect with defense counsel, the more time your attorney will have to start building your defense. They may be able to obtain crucial evidence when you hire them as quickly as possible after your arrest.

Arresting officers cannot legally interrogate you in regards to the offense in question without reading you your Miranda rights first. The arresting officers are also required to comply with police procedure in making the arrest, refraining from using excessive force other than what is necessary as dictated by the situation.

One of the most important reasons to hire a DFW Airport arrest lawyer is to ensure your rights have been respected through the arrest and booking procedures. Your defense team will be able to quickly identify any potential violations or other errors in due process that may later aid in your defense. Ultimately, whatever charges you face, it is crucial that you speak with an experienced DFW Airport arrest lawyer as quickly as possible.

Potential Reasons for Arrest at the DFW Airport

Law enforcement at the DFW Airport and many other airports throughout the United States is handled by a combination of airport police and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It is possible for an individual to be arrested for many types of offenses within the airport, and the penalties they face may be severe depending on whether they broke state and/or federal law as well as the overall severity of the offense.

At Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, we have years of experience providing criminal defense representation to defendants facing all types of criminal charges. When a criminal arrest occurs within an airport, the defendant can face automatically increased penalties due to the offense taking place in a federally protected area. Some of the types of crimes that will require the attention of a DFW Airport arrest lawyer include:

Weapons Violations

Even if you have a license to carry a firearm, it is unlawful for anyone to possess a firearm inside the secure area of any airport. If you are discovered with a firearm in your possession, including inside of your carry-on luggage, you are likely to be arrested by airport police and charged with a felony weapons offense. Penalties for this offense can include several years in prison and very expensive fines.

The suspect will also have their weapon seized by the police, even if they mistakenly brought their weapon into the secured area of the airport. However, there is a single exception to this rule under an amendment to the state Penal Code that now allows license-to-carry (LTC) holders to take their firearm back to their vehicle if they accidentally bring it into a secured area.

Drug Offenses

It is possible for someone to be arrested if they are caught with illegal drugs on their person and/or in their luggage inside the DFW Airport. TSA may notice drugs inside of a person’s luggage when it is scanned at a security checkpoint. Airport police may also arrest individuals for public intoxication by drugs or alcohol inside of the airport.

Penalties for drug possession and related offenses vary greatly on a case-by-case basis. The type of drug the suspect had and the quantity they held in their possession typically dictate the severity of the penalties they could face if convicted. Drug offenses may be charged as misdemeanors or felonies in the state and result in a wide range of penalties, including fines, compulsory substance abuse treatment, and jail time.

If the evidence in play suggests that the individual brought drugs to the DFW Airport from out of state or intended to take drugs out of state from the DFW Airport, they can face even more serious charges of drug trafficking. This could lead to prosecution in federal court and much harsher penalties.

Terroristic Threats

The TSA, airport police, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) take terroristic threats involving airport operations very seriously. Threats of harm, bomb threats, and other terroristic actions can lead to heavy police response and severe criminal prosecution for the defendant. If you have been arrested on any such charges, it is absolutely crucial to seek defense counsel you trust as quickly as possible.

Disorderly Conduct

The term “disorderly conduct” is somewhat vague and can apply to many possible actions that breach the peace and/or disturb members of the public. Airport police will arrest individuals who engage in disorderly conduct, and the penalties an arrested suspect could face will vary based on the nature and severity of their actions.

Altercations between passengers and individuals inside secured areas of the airport, failure to comply with TSA agent instructions and other incidents may all lead to disorderly conduct charges. For example, a fight between passengers in a secure area of the airport could lead to disorderly conduct charges for everyone involved, and they may face additional charges for assault, destruction of property, and more.

These are just a few examples of the types of actions that may lead to an arrest at the DFW Airport. If you or a family member was charged with any type of crime in the DFW Airport, remember your constitutional rights and connect with a DFW Airport arrest lawyer as quickly as possible so they can help determine your most viable defenses to the charges filed against you.

First Steps After Arrest at the DFW Airport

After an arrest, do not say anything to the arresting officers. Do not resist arrest or refuse to cooperate with the arresting officers; otherwise, you could face additional charges. The police will complete the booking process, and you will likely be held inside the DFW Airport jail. Usually, the day after an arrest, the DFW Airport police will transfer the suspect to the Dallas County Jail or the Tarrant County Jail. They will have an arraignment, and the magistrate judge will set bail.

In some cases, it is possible for a suspect to be released straight from the DFW Airport jail with a writ bond, but this is typically possible only if they have an experienced DFW Airport arrest lawyer representing them. Once you complete booking, you will be permitted to make your phone calls. Reach out to an experienced defense attorney who can respond to the situation immediately, and they can advise you as your most viable next steps in this situation.

Understanding the Burden of Proof in a Criminal Case

In every criminal case prosecuted in the United States, the burden of proof rests on the prosecution. This means that the prosecutor bringing charges against the defendant has the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt, and they must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”  This is a very high standard of proof that means that the evidence shows there is no doubt based upon reason the defendant could have committed the offense.

It is your defense attorney’s job to prevent the prosecution from meeting their burden of proof. They may accomplish this in various ways and by asserting various defenses. It’s possible for the defendant to build a defense based on an alleged mistake of fact or mistake of law or by providing they were not competent at the time of the incident. They may also need to prove that they were acting under duress or that they were the victim of entrapment.

Plea Bargaining in a Criminal Case

Once the state prosecutor receives and reviews the case, they generally offer a plea bargain to the defendant. In exchange for the defendant pleading guilty, the prosecution may offer lighter penalties or a reduced sentence.

It is also possible for a prosecutor to offer a plea deal if they are not convinced that they have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Your DFW Airport arrest lawyer can review the details of the situation and advise you as to whether accepting a plea deal suits your interests. If you did commit the offense, it could be your optimal chance to avoid some of the worst penalties you could face if you are convicted.

What to Expect From Your DFW Airport Arrest Lawyer

When you choose the Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, to represent you in a DFW Airport arrest case, you will have an experienced legal advocate ready to provide the comprehensive defense counsel you need in this situation to reach the optimal conclusion. Our firm will do everything we can to help you avoid conviction if possible or mitigate your penalties if necessary.

Building a strong defense against any criminal charge may require establishing an alibi that proves a mistake of fact with the prosecution’s case, identifying procedural violations by the police or the prosecution that constitute a mistake of law, or showing a reasonable explanation as to why you took the actions.

Whether your most viable option is to accept a plea deal or you intend to fight the charges against you as strongly as possible, the right attorney can be an invaluable asset for every stage of your case. The team at the Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, will do everything in our power to help you avoid conviction if at all possible. We have years of experience with the criminal justice systems of the Dallas Metroplex area and know the stakes in play for your case.

You have a very limited time to build your defense, so it is crucial that you connect with an experienced DFW Airport arrest lawyer as soon as you can after arrest and booking. Our firm is ready to help build your defense and approach your case with peace of mind. Contact the Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, today to schedule your initial consultation with a DFW Airport arrest lawyer and learn how we can help.