Violent Crime Attorney in Amarillo

Former Potter County Prosecutor. Forensic Lawyer-Scientist. Fighting for Amarillo Defendants.

Facing a violent crime charge in Amarillo means facing the same court system, the same prosecutors, and the same judicial expectations that Attorney D. Chris Hesse knows from the other side of the courtroom. Before founding Law Offices of D. Chris Hesse, he served as a prosecutor with the Potter County Attorney’s office, where he built and presented the same kinds of cases now brought against our clients. That direct prosecutorial knowledge shapes every defense we build for assault, robbery, manslaughter, and homicide charges in Potter County, Randall County, and throughout the Amarillo area.

A violent crime conviction carries consequences that extend well beyond the courtroom. Prison time, fines up to $10,000, firearm restrictions, and the loss of certain civil rights are only the beginning. Employment barriers, housing application rejections, and professional licensing complications can follow a conviction for years. Retaining a violent crime defense lawyer in Amarillo early can give your defense more room to develop before the State’s case hardens.

Call us today at (806) 350-6785 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our violent crime lawyer in Amarillo.

What Sets Our Violent Crime Defense Apart

Attorney Hesse brings a combination of qualifications that is rare among violent crime defense attorneys in Amarillo. His time as a Potter County prosecutor gives him direct knowledge of how the State builds its cases, what evidence it prioritizes, and where prosecutorial arguments tend to be weakest. That institutional perspective shapes how we challenge the charges brought against our clients.

Prosecutorial Background & Forensic Credentials

His designation as an ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist by the American Chemical Society adds a second layer of capability. Earning that designation required completing more than 140 hours of forensic chromatography coursework and passing an ACS-administered examination. In violent crime cases where forensic evidence plays a role, Attorney Hesse can personally review that evidence rather than relying solely on outside experts. Many defense attorneys must outsource forensic analysis entirely; we handle it in-house.

Direct Attorney Access & Competitive Pricing

Clients at Law Offices of D. Chris Hesse work one-on-one with Attorney Hesse from the initial consultation through resolution. You communicate directly with him, not with rotating support staff. The firm discusses fees openly during the consultation so there are no surprises as your case moves forward. Law Offices of D. Chris Hesse practices criminal defense exclusively, meaning your case receives the undivided focus it demands.

Attorney Hesse served as a Marine officer and led logistical missions in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 3rd AAV Battalion, 1st Marine Division. The discipline and strategic thinking that background requires carries directly into how he prepares and presents a defense.

Violent Crime Charges We Defend Under Texas Law

The Texas Penal Code classifies violent crimes primarily as felonies, with sentencing ranges that escalate significantly by degree. Understanding where a charge falls on that spectrum matters from the first day of the defense.

Texas Felony Sentencing Ranges

• State Jail Felony: 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility, plus fines up to $10,000.
• Third-Degree Felony: 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
• Second-Degree Felony: 2 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
• First-Degree Felony: 5 to 99 years or life in prison and fines up to $10,000.
• Capital Felony: Life without parole or the death penalty.

Charges We Defend

• Assault (Simple and Aggravated): Simple assault can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on circumstances. Aggravated assault, which involves serious bodily injury or use of a deadly weapon, is typically charged as a second-degree or first-degree felony.
• Robbery and Aggravated Robbery: Robbery under Texas law involves the use of force or threat during a theft and is a second-degree felony. Aggravated robbery, which may involve a deadly weapon or a vulnerable victim, rises to a first-degree felony.
• Burglary: Unauthorized entry with intent to commit a crime inside a structure, classified depending on the type of building and the circumstances involved.
• Manslaughter and Homicide: Among the most serious charges in the Texas Penal Code, these offenses demand early, thorough defense planning given their potential sentencing consequences.

Amarillo Courts & What to Expect in a Violent Crime Case

Felony violent crime cases in Potter County are heard in the 47th District Court, the 181st District Court, or the 320th District Court, all located in Amarillo. Randall County has its own district courts that handle felony criminal matters independently. The Potter County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes felony offenses committed in Potter and Armstrong Counties. For appeals, the Texas 7th Court of Appeals, which holds regional appellate jurisdiction, sits at the Potter County Courts Building in Amarillo.

Each court has its own protocols, and each prosecutor’s office has its own tendencies around plea negotiation and diversion program availability. Attorney Hesse’s years in Amarillo’s courts, first as a prosecutor and now as a defense attorney, give him direct familiarity with those local patterns. Violent crime cases also typically move through initial hearings, bail and bond proceedings, possible grand jury indictment, and pretrial motions before reaching trial. Knowing what to expect at each stage is part of how we prepare a defense that stays ahead of the process.

How We Build a Violent Crime Defense Strategy

When your freedom is on the line, you need more than a quick review of the police report. You need a structured plan that responds to the specific facts, charges, and courts involved in your case. We approach every violent crime matter in Amarillo with a strategy that is transparent, methodical, and tailored to your situation, so you understand not just what we’re doing, but why.

Investigation & Theory Development

Our work begins with an in-depth review of the charging documents, offense reports, and any available video or audio recordings. We compare those materials against your account of what happened and identify where the State’s version leaves gaps or makes assumptions. From there, we determine what additional investigation is needed, whether that means contacting witnesses, visiting the scene, or requesting medical and phone records. That early investigative work drives the decision of whether to build around self-defense, misidentification, lack of intent, or another theory that fits the facts.

Negotiation, Trial Preparation, & Evidence Challenges

Once we’ve gathered the available evidence, we develop a plan for presenting your defense in negotiations and, if necessary, at trial. That plan may include retaining appropriate experts, preparing you and any witnesses for testimony, and deciding which motions to file to challenge particular pieces of evidence. Attorney Hesse’s ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist training means that forensic evidence in your case gets a personal review, not a hand-off to an outside consultant. Throughout the process, we discuss possible outcomes with you in plain terms so you can weigh the risks and benefits of each option, including whether to accept an offer or take your case to a jury.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do If I’m Charged With a Violent Crime in Amarillo?

Retain a violent crime defense lawyer in Amarillo before speaking further with law enforcement. Texas law gives you the right to remain silent and to have counsel present before questioning; statements made without an attorney can be used as evidence against you. Gather any documentation, photographs, or communications relevant to your situation and bring them to your consultation so Attorney Hesse can assess what you have from the start.

How Can a Violent Crime Defense Lawyer Help Me?

A defense lawyer evaluates evidence, interviews witnesses, and builds a strategic defense plan. Attorney Hesse’s prosecutorial background means he understands how the State constructs its case, and his Forensic Lawyer-Scientist training lets him personally scrutinize the forensic evidence most attorneys can only review through hired experts. We examine everything from police reports to procedural compliance, looking for angles that may work in your favor.

What Are the Potential Consequences of a Conviction?

A violent crime conviction in Texas can mean lengthy prison sentences, significant fines, firearm restrictions, and the loss of certain civil rights. Collateral consequences can include reduced job prospects, barriers to housing applications, and difficulty obtaining professional licenses. We work to reduce charges, negotiate where it serves your interests, and, where the facts support it, seek dismissal.

Can I Afford a Violent Crime Defense Lawyer in Amarillo?

Law Offices of D. Chris Hesse offers competitive pricing to make quality defense accessible without adding unnecessary financial strain. During your consultation, Attorney Hesse can discuss fees openly so you understand the costs before making any decisions. Quality legal defense shouldn’t be out of reach when the stakes are this high.

What Differentiates Attorney Hesse’s Approach to Violent Crime Defense?

Attorney Hesse’s background as a former Potter County prosecutor means he understands how the State builds its cases from the inside. His designation as an ACS Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, which required more than 140 hours of forensic chromatography coursework and a formal ACS examination, lets him personally scrutinize forensic evidence that other defense attorneys must hand off to outside experts. You work directly with Attorney Hesse throughout your case, and every aspect of your defense reflects the specific facts of your situation.

Contact Our Amarillo Violent Crime Lawyer Today

A violent crime charge moves fast, and the decisions made in the early stages can affect every option that follows. At Law Offices of D. Chris Hesse, you work directly with Attorney Hesse from your first consultation through the resolution of your case. Call us at (806) 350-6785 to schedule a confidential consultation with our Amarillo violent crime defense lawyer.

Contact us today to get started with our Amarillo violent crime attorney.