Aggressive Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Forth Worth and Surrounding Cities
If you are facing charges of interference with public duties, or have been arrested or are under investigation for this offense, it is essential for you to contact a qualified criminal defense attorney immediately. Whether you have been falsely accused of this crime, or made a mistake by acting in a way that brought upon your charges, a conviction of this nature constitutes a class B misdemeanor. If found guilty of interference with public duty charges you could be forced to pay harsh monetary fines and face potential jail time or probation. Even people with innocent intentions have been convicted of interference with public duties, so having an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side can mean the difference between jail time and your freedom. Call the Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys in Fort Worth now to start protecting yourself and your constitutional rights.
Should investigators contact you with questions about your charges, do not make any statements without having one of our experienced Fort Worth criminal defense lawyers by your side. As most people are aware, anything you say can and will be used against you in court of law. With this in mind, the criminal defense attorneys at the Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys will be able to review your legal options, advise you of your rights, and help you to proceed in your case with the most solid and effective defense strategies possible. We will even meet with you in jail in the event that you have been arrested. Don’t sacrifice your professional and personal reputations – contact the Fulgham Law Firm, P.C. today to learn more about how our seasoned criminal defense attorneys can make a difference for you.
What is Interference with Publish Duties in Texas?
Sec. 38.15. INTERFERENCE WITH PUBLIC DUTIES.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person with criminal negligence interrupts, disrupts, impedes, or otherwise interferes with:
(1) a peace officer while the peace officer is performing a duty or exercising authority imposed or granted by law;
(2) a person who is employed to provide emergency medical services including the transportation of ill or injured persons while the person is performing that duty;
(3) a fire fighter, while the fire fighter is fighting a fire or investigating the cause of a fire;
(4) an animal under the supervision of a peace officer, corrections officer, or jailer, if the person knows the animal is being used for law enforcement, corrections, prison or jail security, or investigative purposes;
(5) the transmission of a communication over a citizen’s band radio channel, the purpose of which communication is to inform or inquire about an emergency;
(6) an officer with responsibility for animal control in a county or municipality, while the officer is performing a duty or exercising authority imposed or granted under Chapter 821 or 822, Health and Safety Code; or
(7) a person who:
(A) has responsibility for assessing, enacting, or enforcing public health, environmental, radiation, or safety measures for the state or a county or municipality;
(B) is investigating a particular site as part of the person’s responsibilities under Paragraph (A);
(C) is acting in accordance with policies and procedures related to the safety and security of the site described by Paragraph (B); and
(D) is performing a duty or exercising authority imposed or granted under the Agriculture Code, Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, or Water Code.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(1) that the conduct engaged in by the defendant was intended to warn a person operating a motor vehicle of the presence of a peace officer who was enforcing Subtitle C, Title 7, Transportation Code.
(d) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the interruption, disruption, impediment, or interference alleged consisted of speech only.
(e) In this section, “emergency” means a condition or circumstance in which an individual is or is reasonably believed by the person transmitting the communication to be in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or in which property is or is reasonably believed by the person transmitting the communication to be in imminent danger of damage or destruction.
As noted above, interference with public duties qualifies as a Class B misdemeanor. This means that a person can be imprisoned in a county jail for up to 180 days, and be fined $2,000 or less. Moreover, if you have repeated convictions of this nature, you could face mandatory community service and extended probation for up to two years once your initial jail term has been satisfied.
Various legal defenses to a charge of interference with public duties can be raised however, they vary depending upon the facts of each case. Also consider the fact that the State has the burden of proving that you acted with criminal negligence, and each county may differ in terms of court procedure and the level of punishment it imposes. There may also be certain mitigating factors involved, which your attorney can discuss with you during your initial consultation. To learn more about how you can challenge your interference with public duties charges, contact our seasoned team of criminal defense lawyers today. Never take upon your charges alone, as we have the experience, skill and dedication to help fight for your rights and potentially have your charges reduced, if not completely dropped. While we cannot guarantee a certain outcome in your case, we will take all measures legally possible to maximize your chances of receiving a positive outcome.
Seasoned Former Fort Worth Criminal Prosecutor Ready to Help You Now
If you or someone you love has been charged with interference with public duties, or some other crime in Texas, contact our seasoned Forth Worth, Arlington and Tarrant County criminal defense attorneys now at (817) 877-3030. During our initial consultation, we will advise you of all your legal options, develop legal defenses on your behalf, and ensure that you can make informed decisions in your case. Our initial consultation is always free and it’s also completely confidential, so do not hesitate to give us a call now. At the Fulgham Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys , our goal is to prevent jail time and to help you clear your record. We look forward to providing you with superior legal representation.