Criminal Defense

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Criminal Defense Attorney in Temple, Texas

Attorney Frank Cimino · Serving Temple, Bell County and Central Texas

A criminal charge can put your freedom, your job, your family, and your future at risk. Attorney Frank Cimino has defended people charged with misdemeanors and felonies in Temple and throughout Central Texas since 2003. He will review the evidence against you, explain your options in plain language, and build a defense around the facts of your case.

Criminal Cases We Handle

How a Criminal Case Works in Texas

1. Arrest and bond. After an arrest, a magistrate sets bond and any bond conditions.
2. Formal charges. Misdemeanors are usually charged by information. Felonies require an indictment from a grand jury.
3. Investigation and discovery. Your lawyer obtains and reviews the State’s evidence, such as police reports, video, lab results, and witness statements, and investigates the facts independently.
4. Motions and negotiation. Depending on the case, this can include motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence and discussions with the prosecutor about dismissal, reduced charges, or alternatives such as pretrial diversion or deferred adjudication.
5. Trial or resolution. You decide whether to accept an offer or take your case to trial before a judge or jury.

What You Can Expect From Us

• An honest assessment of your case, including its strengths and weaknesses. We will never promise a particular outcome.
• Updates at every significant step, and prompt answers to your calls and questions.
• Experience in Bell County and Central Texas courts since 2003.
• A defense strategy built around your goals, whether that means fighting the charge at trial or protecting your record.

What to Bring to Your Consultation

• Bond paperwork, citations, or any documents you received from the jail or the court
• For DWI arrests, any notice of driver’s license suspension you were given
• Your next court date, if you have one
• Names and contact information for any witnesses
• A timeline of what happened, written for your lawyer only

Until you have spoken with your lawyer, avoid discussing your case with anyone else, including on social media, by text, or on jail phone calls, which are usually recorded.

Criminal Cases in Bell, Coryell and McLennan Counties

Frank handles criminal cases in the courts of Bell, Coryell and McLennan counties. Most arrests in Temple, Killeen, Belton and Harker Heights are prosecuted in Bell County, with hearings at the courthouse in Belton. Cases from Copperas Cove and Gatesville usually go to Coryell County, and cases from Waco and the surrounding area go to McLennan County. Misdemeanors are heard in the county courts and felonies in the district courts. Each county has its own prosecutors, procedures and pretrial programs, and knowing how a particular court works can make a real difference in how a case is resolved.

What Happens After an Arrest in Temple or Killeen

After an arrest, you are usually booked into the city or county jail and brought before a magistrate, generally within 48 hours. The magistrate tells you the charge, explains your rights and sets bond. Bond often comes with conditions, such as no contact with the alleged victim, no alcohol or an ignition interlock device, and breaking a condition can put you back in jail.

The first days after an arrest matter. Video can be lost, witnesses become harder to find and problems with the stop, search or arrest are easiest to spot early. Talking with a lawyer before your first court date gives you the best chance to protect your record.

Criminal Defense Questions and Answers

Should I talk to the police about my case?

You have the right to remain silent, and it is usually best to use it until you have spoken with a lawyer. Statements made to officers are often the strongest evidence the State has. Be polite, give your name and ask to speak with an attorney.

Can my charges be dismissed or reduced?

Sometimes. Charges may be dismissed or reduced when the evidence is weak, when police made mistakes, or through pretrial diversion or plea negotiations. Frank will review the evidence and explain realistic options for your case.

A family member was just arrested. What should we do?

Call the office with the person’s full name, date of birth and the jail where they are held. Frank can explain how bond works and what to expect at the first court appearance.

I’m stationed at Fort Hood. Will a civilian charge affect my career?

It can. A civilian arrest may be reported to your command and can lead to administrative action. Frank represents soldiers in civilian court and can explain how the case may affect your military career.

This page provides general information, not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.