Asked 9/17/2016 – Pharr, TX

About 5 months ago, my brother and his baby momma were arguing outside my house, so I tell them they have to leave. Then he comes inside and she starts banging on the door and on the window. My little brother and I go outside and tell her she has to leave then she tries to attack me but my little brother gets in between us. So she tries to break our window again with her keys and my brother comes outside and takes her keys away and throws them. I then tell her again she has to leave, not trying to cause a scene since my landlord lived next door. She goes on to tell me to hit her but I tell her I don’t want to fight. Then she hits me and I begin defending myself. My brother tackled us and the fight stops. So then I tell my mom to find a phone to call the cops. About two weeks ago I find out she pressed assault charges on my brother and I. I call the investigator and he said he had enough evidence to have a warrant given to me. If I hire a lawyer, am I able to fight my case and plead not guilty since it was self-defense?

Answer

You have the constitutional right to plead not guilty to any criminal charge filed against you, and force the State to prove any allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. I strongly suggest you retain an attorney to represent you in this matter. This is not a court television show where you can just explain your side of the story and a Judge will make a ruling in 22 minutes. There is a discovery process, pretrial and trial procedures to be followed and you will be at a disadvantage if you do not have an attorney.