Attorney
When you’re facing criminal charges in Texas, what happens before the trial can be just as important as the trial itself. One key part of the process is something called pretrial motions. These are formal requests made to the judge that can affect how your case moves forward. At Daniel Collins Law, we use pretrial motions to protect your rights, challenge unfair evidence and set the stage for the best possible outcome.
Why Pretrial Motions Matter in Your Case
Pretrial motions allow us to raise legal issues and shape the trial before it even starts. These motions aren’t just legal paperwork—they’re tools we use to put pressure on the prosecution and protect your interests.
Depending on your case, pretrial motions can:
- Limit or exclude damaging evidence
- Challenge the way evidence was obtained
- Ask the judge to dismiss charges entirely
- Request access to information the prosecution has
- Ensure you get a fair trial from the start
We take a close look at how your arrest and investigation were handled. If something wasn’t done by the book, we bring it to the court’s attention as early as possible. A strong criminal defense begins long before a jury is seated.
Common Types of Pretrial Motions in Texas
Not every motion applies to every case, but here are some of the most common ones we file and why they matter:
Motion to Suppress Evidence
This is one of the most powerful motions in a defense attorney’s toolbox. If the police searched your home, car, or phone without a proper warrant—or stopped you without a legal reason—we can ask the court to exclude that evidence. Without it, the prosecution might not have much of a case left.
Motion to Dismiss
We may ask the judge to throw out the charges altogether if there are legal problems with how the case was filed. This could involve issues with the indictment, lack of probable cause, or violations of your right to a speedy trial.
Motion for Discovery
This motion asks the prosecution to hand over all the evidence they have. That includes police reports, witness statements, lab results, and anything else they plan to use. We review it carefully to build your defense and catch any inconsistencies.
Motion in Limine
This motion keeps certain evidence or statements from being introduced in front of the jury. For example, if a witness plans to bring up something that’s unfairly damaging or unrelated to the case, we ask the court to block it. These motions help ensure the trial stays focused and fair.
Motion for Change of Venue
In rare cases, we might ask to move your trial to a different location. This usually happens when media coverage or local bias makes it hard to find an impartial jury. We’ll only request this if it’s truly necessary to protect your right to a fair trial.
Each of these motions serves a different purpose, but they all work toward one goal—giving you a fair shot at justice.
How Pretrial Motions Can Shape the Outcome
These motions may seem like background work, but they can completely change the direction of a case. When we succeed in getting key evidence thrown out, the prosecution might lose their main argument. Sometimes, a motion leads to reduced charges or even a dismissal before trial.
Even if your case moves forward, pretrial motions give us an early opportunity to test the strength of the prosecution’s case. We can find out how solid their evidence is and prepare to challenge it at trial. This step is a significant part of how we defend you.
Contact an Experienced Texas Criminal Defense Attorney
If you’ve been charged with a crime, you might feel like the system is already working against you. But you don’t have to face it alone. At Daniel Collins Law, we take an active role from day one. That includes reviewing the evidence, filing motions when appropriate, and pushing back on anything that could hurt your case unfairly.
We believe that every person deserves a strong defense, and that starts well before trial. If you or a loved one is facing charges in Texas, contact Daniel Collins Law. We’ll walk you through what to expect and explain how we can help. Let’s start building your defense the right way.