Don’t let your future be determined by an amateur.
Get an experienced Texas criminal attorney on your side.
If you or a loved one have been charged with a crime in Fort Bend County, Texas, then you know very well that there’s a lot on the line. Not only can your freedom be taken away with punishments such as jail time and license revocation, but also your reputation in the community and among family and friends is under threat. You may even lose your job, be unable to attend school or be forced to move, regardless of whether or not you are ultimately convicted.
Nearly 800,000 people call Fort Bend County home, according to a 2018 U.S. Census estimate. And communities throughout the county are growing fast — particularly Missouri City, Sugar Land and the City of Houston. In fact, Forbes ranked Fort Bend County as the 5th fastest growing county in the United States. Such rapid development means that local law enforcement and the county court system is cracking down hard on alleged offenders and defendants in an effort to control rising crime rates.
Unfortunately, countless innocent people are swept up in stings and special operations as local and state police cast wide nets. If you are one of these people, it’s vital you act quickly to protect your rights. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your charge will simply “go away” or that you can handle your defense on your own. Yes, hiring an attorney will cost money — but it pales in comparison to the long-term cost of a criminal conviction.
Our law office is located in Houston, Texas, just north of I-10 in the Woodland Heights community. We regularly take cases from in and around Fort Bend County and throughout Southeast Texas, including:
- Arcola
- Beasley
- Fairchilds
- Fulshear
- Katy
- Kendleton
- Meadows Place
- Missouri City
- Needville
- Orchard
- Pearland
- Pleak
- Richmond
- Rosenberg
- Simonton
- Stafford
- Sugar Land
- Weston Lakes
At the Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp, we know how devastating an arrest and criminal record can be. That is why we’ve dedicated our entire practice to helping aggressively defend individuals in Fort Bend County and throughout Houston from criminal charges, including DWI charges, theft and property crimes, drug-related charges, weapons, white collar crimes, assault/battery, prostitution crimes, sex crimes defense, federal defense and other criminal cases.
If you’re looking for the most experienced, knowledgeable and passionate criminal defense lawyer serving Fort Bend County, look no further. Matt Sharp can protect your rights and your future. Don’t wait any longer — time is not on your side. Let us start building your defense today.
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Harris County or a surrounding area, start protecting your rights and future right now.
Schedule your free consultation with Matthew Sharp.
Attorney Matthew Sharp
Everyone deserves a second chance. As your attorney, it’s my job to make sure your legal rights and freedoms are vigorously protected. If you choose to be represented by me and my team, my commitment is to help you get a second chance by building the best defense possible.
I understand that your future, freedom and reputation depend on it.
Results Matter.
My results-driven approach means I can bring invaluable insights from past victories to help in your case.
State of Texas v. BA
Driving While Intoxicated (.19 Breath Test)
Fort Bend County Court
Jury Trial – Not Guilty
State of Texas v. LD
Theft
Fort Bend County Court
Dismissed
State of Texas v. MW
Possession of Controlled Substance
Fort Bend County Court
Reduced to Misdemeanor
Testimonials
I believe clients should be #1. Read my testimonials to see what past clients have said.
I brought Matt an almost no-win case and he was able to help me change a negative to a positive. His advice is solid and staight forward. I highly recommend The Law Office of Matthew Sharp.
Amber W Houston, TX
Rights of criminal defendants in Texas
Any person who is arrested for a crime in Fort Bend County (as well as in Texas and the United States, in general) is guaranteed certain rights under the U.S. Constitution.
The Fourth Amendment provides defendants protection against “unreasonable searches and seizures.” Under this law, police officers, investigators and other government officials may not search you, your home or your things without probable cause and reasonable grounds. Any evidence that is illegally obtained will not be allowed to be used against you in court.
The Fifth Amendment, which protects criminal defendants against self-incrimination, is one you’re probably familiar with as it’s the first thing you typically hear when police make an arrest: You have the right to remain silent.
This means that under no means may you be “compelled” or forced by a prosecutor, judge or investigator to be a witness against yourself. This protection is more commonly known as your Miranda rights.
Another lesser known part of the Fifth Amendment is your right to not be placed in double jeopardy. Simply put, this rule protects defendants from being tried for the same offense more than once. Two exceptions:
- Defendants can be charged in both federal and state court for the same crime.
- Defendants can face legal action in both criminal and civil court for the same crime.
The Sixth Amendment guarantees every defendant “the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.”
The Eighth Amendment grants all criminal defendants the right to a reasonable bail and the right against cruel and unusual punishment. Bail is set by a judge and must not be “excessive.” In addition, if convicted, the Eighth Amendment demands that sentences be proportionate to the crime and that basic human rights are met while serving a prison sentence.
We are dedicated to defending our clients against criminal charges
Veteran criminal defense attorney Matt Sharp has dedicated his entire practice to defending his clients against the most serious offenses in the Fort Bend area, including:
Prostitution
Soliciting or promoting prostitution is against the law in Fort Bend County and throughout Texas. The penalties can be severe, which is why you need an experienced and aggressive sex crime defense attorney on your side.
DWI charges
Driving while intoxicated (DWI), either due to drugs or alcohol, is against the law in Texas. Even first-time offenders can face extensive fines and face jail time. A Fort Bend DWI defense lawyer can help reduce your penalties or get the case dismissed.
Drug charges
Possession or distribution of a controlled substance in Fort Bend County can lead to steep fines and jail time. If you’ve been arrested for possession of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, meth or another illegal drug, you need professional legal help.
Federal crimes
The punishments for federal crimes are more serious than state offenses. They’re also more complex. If you’ve been charged with federal crime in Texas, it’s time to hire a Fort Bend defense lawyer with the right knowledge of federal law.
Violent crimes
Local officials come down hard on violent crimes in Fort Bend County. Only the best criminal defense lawyers can help get charges reduced or dismissed for offenses such as armed robbery, assault, domestic violence, kidnapping, battery and murder.
White collar crimes
White collar crimes are especially common in Houston, Fort Bend County and other nearby communities. Individuals facing fraud, identity theft or embezzlement charges must act quickly to build their defense. Contact a defense attorney today.
Theft
Whether you were arrested for shoplifting, burglary, robbery, identity theft or another property related crime, Fort Bend officials rarely show mercy. Our theft defense attorneys can make sure your rights and freedoms are protected.
Internet offenses
In recent years, Texas law enforcement has cracked down hard on computer-related crimes such as online harassment, soliciting, hacking, extortion and child pornography. If you face such a charge, it’s time to get advice from an experienced Fort Bend defense lawyer.
Local resources for Fort Bend County, TX residents
Texas Public Sex Offender Registry
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
Fort Bend Sheriff’s Office
1410 Williams Way Blvd
Richmond, TX 77469
Emergency 911
(281) 341-4704 (non-emergency)
Fort Bend County Bar Association
Fort Bend County Criminal Case Records Search
Fort Bend County Courthouse
1422 Eugene Heimann Cir
Richmond, TX 77469
Hiring a dependable Fort Bend criminal lawyer should be your #1 goal
While it’s true that the Eighth Amendment and Miranda Rights guarantee you a right to legal representation if you’ve been charged with a crime, and a defense lawyer will be provided to you even if you cannot afford one, the reality is that district attorneys (DAs) often have extremely heavy caseloads and may not have the necessary time or resources to devote to your case.
In addition, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Your freedom and reputation, and possibly your very life, are on the line.
This is simply not the time to leave your defense up to chance or go with a cheap defense lawyer who will do little to protect your rights. When one wrong move or word can derail your entire case, you need a qualified defense attorney.
With over 12 years of experience in the legal field, seasoned criminal defense attorney Matt Sharp dedicates his entire practice to criminal law. He is licensed to practice law in the state of Texas, and widely recognized for his legal skills and ethics. In addition to volunteering his legal skills to the local community in Houston, Matt Sharp is a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association.
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8 Ways a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help Your Case
Unsure where to go for help after getting arrested? Learn more about how hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney will help your chances at freedom.
Getting charged or arrested?
What you should do…
One wrong move or saying the wrong thing can negatively impact the outcome of your case.
