Felony Attorney in Lubbock

Former-Prosecutor Insight for Serious State & Federal Charges

We represent people facing serious felony accusations in state and federal court. Aaron E. Eckman’s experience as a former Assistant Criminal District Attorney provides insight into how prosecutors investigate, charge, and present criminal cases. Together, Aaron and Victoria Eckman bring 20 years of combined experience and have completed more than 500 federal cases.

A Texas felony charge can affect your liberty, employment, family, education, housing, immigration status, and professional licensing. If you’re facing a felony in the Lubbock area, our attorneys can help you understand the allegation, the court process, and the decisions ahead. We serve clients from our Lubbock office and throughout West Texas.

At Eckman Law Firm, PLLC, our focus is on clear advice and realistic expectations in Lubbock County criminal courts. When you contact us, you can speak directly with an attorney about the charges, evidence, bond conditions, and personal priorities involved in your case. The initial consultation is free and confidential.

Call (432) 223-9427 today to set up a consultation, or contact us online to learn more.

Attorney-Led Felony Defense in Lubbock

When your freedom and future are on the line, it matters who stands beside you. We focus our practice on criminal defense, including serious state and federal felony cases. Aaron’s background as a prosecutor and former clerk for a U.S. Magistrate Judge informs how we examine the government’s evidence, anticipated arguments, and federal court procedures.

Local Court Procedures & Case Investigation

Our attorneys serve clients in Lubbock County criminal courts. Depending on the charge and assignment procedures, a felony matter may proceed in a district court such as the 99th, 137th, 140th, or 364th District Court. Court assignments, filing practices, hearing schedules, and procedural requirements vary, so we explain what applies to the specific case rather than relying on broad assumptions.

When you hire us, you work directly with our attorneys. When additional fact development is needed, we may use private investigators to examine witness accounts, video, digital records, physical evidence, police reports, or the circumstances surrounding a search and arrest.

Client Collaboration & Documented Results

Clients often come to us feeling ashamed, angry, or completely overwhelmed. We don’t judge anyone by the accusations on a charging document. We collaborate with each client to build an individualized strategy instead of handing over a generic defense plan.

Our published results include grand jury no-bills and dismissals in cases involving aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, felony robbery, felony theft, and felony assault. Past results don’t determine what can happen in another case, but they demonstrate our experience evaluating serious felony allegations at different procedural stages. Aaron also holds a 10.0 Avvo Superb rating and was selected to Rising Stars from 2020 through 2022.

What to Do After a Felony Arrest

The hours and days after an arrest, or when you learn you’re under investigation, can feel chaotic. You may be trying to get released from the Lubbock County Detention Center, dealing with family concerns, and fielding calls from investigators or bondsmen. In that confusion, it’s easy to make choices that hurt your case later.

Here are practical steps we encourage people to consider after a felony arrest:

• Stay calm and use your right to remain silent. You generally aren’t required to explain your side to officers or investigators on the spot. Ask for an attorney before answering investigative questions.
• Avoid talking about the case online. Posts, text messages, photographs, and other digital communications may become evidence. Don’t delete or alter potential evidence without first obtaining legal advice.
• Follow bond and release conditions carefully. Conditions may include no-contact requirements, travel restrictions, drug testing, or other court-ordered obligations. A violation can lead to additional court action or a return to custody.
• Gather information and paperwork. Keep copies of charging documents, bond paperwork, property receipts, and setting notices. These documents help us identify the allegation, deadlines, release terms, and upcoming proceedings.
• Contact a felony lawyer as soon as you can. Early legal guidance can help protect your rights, preserve available evidence, and prepare for the first court appearances in Lubbock County courts.

When you call our office, we can review what’s happened so far, explain what the paperwork means, and help you prepare for your next appearance. We can also identify witnesses, recordings, phone data, or other information that may become harder to locate as time passes.

How Texas Felony Cases Move through Court

A Texas felony case may begin with an investigation, an arrest warrant, or an arrest at the scene of an alleged offense. The precise path depends on the charge, evidence, criminal history, court assignment, and whether the matter is prosecuted in state or federal court. We explain each stage as it arises and prepare clients for the decisions they may need to make.

Arrest, Magistrate Hearing & Bond

After a Texas felony arrest, the accused generally appears before a magistrate before release on bail, subject to applicable procedures and exceptions. A magistrate hearing is an initial proceeding where the person is informed of the accusation and rights, and where bail may be addressed. Felony bond conditions can include no-contact orders, travel limits, drug testing, electronic monitoring, or other requirements based on the circumstances.

Grand Jury Review & Indictment

Many state felony charges are presented to a grand jury. A grand jury is a private proceeding in which jurors determine whether probable cause exists to return an indictment, which is a formal accusation allowing the prosecution to continue. In some circumstances, the defense may consider providing information for grand jury review, but whether to do so is a case-specific strategic decision.

Discovery, Motions & Negotiations

After charges are filed, we obtain and review available discovery, including police reports, videos, witness statements, laboratory results, digital records, and other evidence. We identify factual inconsistencies and legal issues involving searches, seizures, statements, identification procedures, or evidence handling. When supported by the law and facts, motion practice may include a suppression motion asking the court to exclude evidence obtained in violation of legal protections.

Felony cases often involve pretrial settings, plea negotiations, and deadlines for requesting hearings or filing motions. We advise clients about any offer, the risks associated with trial, and the potential effects of each available choice. The client decides whether to accept a plea offer or proceed to trial after receiving legal advice.

Trial, Sentencing, Dismissal or Another Resolution

A case may proceed to trial, a negotiated disposition, sentencing, dismissal, or another lawful resolution. We prepare for negotiation and trial according to the evidence, applicable law, procedural history, and the client’s goals. Our published experience includes felony dismissals and grand jury no-bills, but every result remains dependent on the facts and legal issues in that particular matter.

Texas felony classifications include capital felonies, first-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, third-degree felonies, and state jail felonies. The classification, alleged conduct, prior convictions, enhancements, and applicable statutes influence potential punishment and defense strategy. We assess the actual charging documents rather than assuming that the offense title tells the whole story.

Consequences of a Texas Felony Conviction

Potential punishment depends on the offense level, statutory provisions, criminal history, alleged enhancements, sentence, and final disposition. Prison or state jail exposure and fines are only part of the analysis. We also discuss how a plea, conviction, or other disposition may affect the client’s life outside the courtroom.

A felony record can affect employment screening, professional licensing, housing, education, financial aid, firearm possession, voting, jury service, and other civil rights. The effect varies by offense and by the rules governing a particular employer, licensing authority, school, or program. Our attorneys consider employment, education, and professional priorities when explaining available choices.

Noncitizens can face separate immigration consequences from certain charges, pleas, or convictions, even when the criminal sentence appears limited. Because we handle crimmigration matters, we account for potential immigration concerns when they arise. Those consequences can depend on the specific statute, alleged conduct, immigration status, and final disposition.

Some criminal records may qualify for an expunction or an order of nondisclosure, but eligibility is controlled by Texas law and the case’s outcome. A dismissal doesn’t automatically establish eligibility for every record-clearing remedy. We handle expunctions and nondisclosures when the applicable legal requirements are met.

Why Early Help from a Felony Lawyer Matters

The first few weeks of a felony case are often the most confusing, but they’re also when important decisions are made. Investigators may still be gathering statements, and evidence such as videos or phone records can be easier to locate. Having a felony lawyer involved early can help you avoid unnecessary statements and identify legal or factual issues before the case progresses.

At the beginning of representation, we review charging documents, known evidence, bond conditions, and court notices. Early review can help us prepare for initial proceedings and evaluate release requirements. Aaron’s former prosecution experience informs our analysis of how the state may organize and present its case.

Another reason timing matters is that witnesses’ memories can fade, and physical or digital evidence can become harder to locate. By talking with you at the beginning, we can identify records, recordings, or people who may have relevant information. We use private investigators when needed to develop facts outside the police reports and examine conflicting accounts.

The timing of bond proceedings, grand jury review, discovery, motion practice, and negotiations can affect later decisions. Early representation doesn’t determine the outcome, but it gives our attorneys more time to understand the allegation, preserve available information, and prepare an informed strategy.

Felony Charges We Defend in Lubbock

We handle state and federal criminal matters involving violent crimes, sex crimes, drug charges, white collar crimes, theft, family violence, weapons allegations, probation violations, crimmigration, and appeals. Each category raises different evidentiary, sentencing, and collateral-consequence issues.

Our felony defense work includes:

• Violent offenses. Aggravated assault, robbery, murder, and certain forms of manslaughter may involve self-defense, identity, witness credibility, forensic evidence, or alleged use of a deadly weapon.
• Sex crimes. These cases may involve disputed accounts, digital communications, forensic testing, identification evidence, registration concerns, and serious professional or family consequences.
• Drug-related felonies. Possession with intent, delivery, and manufacturing cases may turn on possession, drug quantity, laboratory analysis, chain of custody, confidential sources, or the legality of a search.
• Theft, property and white collar crimes. Burglary, felony theft, fraud, and financial allegations can raise questions involving ownership, value, intent, authorization, electronic records, and the accused person’s role.
• Family violence and weapons matters. These allegations may involve no-contact conditions, conflicting witness statements, firearm restrictions, and allegations that can affect employment or professional licensing.
• Probation violations, appeals and crimmigration. We handle matters involving alleged violations of supervision, appellate issues, and criminal charges with potential immigration consequences.
• Federal felony charges. Our experience includes alien smuggling, drug trafficking, sex crimes, murder, drug distribution, and alien smuggling involving death.

Victoria has represented approximately 100 clients facing serious federal charges, including sex crimes, alien smuggling, drug trafficking, and murder. Aaron has represented hundreds of clients in serious federal matters, including alien smuggling involving death, drug distribution, and murder in the course of drug trafficking.

Aaron is admitted to practice in the Western, Northern, and Southern Districts of Texas and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Victoria is admitted in the Western and Northern Districts of Texas. These admissions allow our attorneys to handle qualifying federal matters in those courts.

Many felony accusations also carry alleged enhancements based on prior convictions, use of a deadly weapon, or other statutory factors. We examine whether an enhancement applies and how it changes the potential punishment range. We also consider whether a conviction could affect the right to possess a firearm as a felon.

How We Build a Felony Defense Strategy

Our approach is built around direct attorney communication, careful evidence analysis, investigation when needed, and candid advice. We listen to the client’s account before determining which factual and legal issues require closer attention.

Consultation & Initial Case Review

Our first step is a detailed consultation. We ask you to explain what happened from your perspective, how law enforcement became involved, and what you’ve been told so far. We also review available charging documents, bond conditions, property receipts, and setting notices.

Evidence Review & Investigation

We obtain and study the available evidence, which may include police reports, body-camera recordings, surveillance video, laboratory results, digital records, and witness statements. We look for gaps, inconsistencies, and potential legal problems with how evidence was collected. Private investigators may be brought in when additional interviews, records, or fact development are needed.

Direct Communication & Strategic Decisions

Throughout the case, we explain upcoming court settings, significant evidence, motion issues, and plea discussions. Victoria’s background as a public school teacher shapes her ability to explain complicated legal procedures in plain language. Clients work directly with our attorneys and participate in major decisions rather than receiving a generic strategy.

You have a say in important decisions, including whether to accept a plea offer or proceed to trial. We prepare for negotiation and trial based on the facts, law, evidence, and your lawful priorities. Aaron’s professional acting background and courtroom experience also support his advocacy before judges and juries.

Because every person’s priorities are different, we consider concerns such as custody exposure, employment, licensing, education, family responsibilities, and immigration status. When relevant, we may also help identify records or background information that can be evaluated for negotiation or sentencing advocacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I Go to Jail for My Felony Charge?
Whether you go to jail or prison depends on the charge, felony classification, criminal history, alleged enhancements, bond status, court decisions, and final disposition.

How Soon Should I Contact a Felony Lawyer?
It’s usually best to contact a lawyer as soon as you learn about an arrest or investigation. Early involvement can provide more time for case preparation, but it doesn’t guarantee a particular result.

Can a Felony Conviction Ruin My Career?
A felony conviction can affect employment, professional licenses, and educational opportunities, depending on the offense, disposition, licensing rules, and your field.

How Will You Keep Me Updated on My Case?
Our attorneys discuss major developments, explain upcoming court dates, and answer questions about the choices ahead.

Why Choose a Local Felony Attorney in Lubbock?
A felony defense attorney in Lubbock can explain the procedures used in the applicable Lubbock County court and prepare you for local settings.

Discuss Your Felony Case in a Confidential Consultation

If you or someone you care about is facing a felony charge in Lubbock, early guidance can help you understand the allegation, preserve available information, and prepare for upcoming proceedings. Talking with a lawyer now gives you a chance to ask questions before making decisions about the case.

Our attorneys can discuss the charges, known evidence, court process, and personal priorities that may shape your decisions. Your initial consultation with Eckman Law Firm, PLLC is free and confidential, and you can speak directly with an attorney about the next legally appropriate step.

To discuss your felony case with an attorney, call (432) 223-9427.