FAQ’s

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Frequently Asked Questions

🔹 1. Arrested in San Antonio? What to Do Immediately After Being Arrested in Bexar County, Texas

The sirens. The cuffs. The questions. You’ve been arrested in San Antonio—and now every second counts.
Whether you’re in the Bexar County Jail, being held at the Central Magistrate, or waiting to see a judge, you need to know this:

✅ Here’s what to do right now:

  • Do not talk. Don’t explain. Don’t try to “clear things up.” Everything you say can and will be used.
  • Ask for a lawyer immediately. Say, “I want an attorney”—then stay silent.
  • Tell your family to call a San Antonio criminal defense lawyer. The earlier we intervene, the stronger your defense.
  • Know where you are. Most Bexar County arrests go through the Central Magistrate Court at 200 N. Comal St.

🛑 Don’t wait for help to find you. Hire it.
At Del Prado Law, we’ve defended thousands of people arrested in San Antonio—people like you who never thought they’d need a criminal lawyer until now. We know the system. We know how to fight.

🔹2. Can Police Lie to You in San Antonio? What Texas Law Says About Police Interrogations

They said they had video. They said your friend confessed. They said they could make things easier.
They lied.

Under Texas law, including in San Antonio and Bexar County, it is legal for police officers to lie to suspects during interrogations. That’s right—they can invent evidence, bluff about confessions, and manipulate you to get a statement.

But here’s what they can’t do:
They can’t keep questioning you after you clearly ask for a lawyer. That’s your right under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments.

⚠️ San Antonio Police Lie. The Law Allows It. Here’s What to Do:

  • Never speak without your criminal defense lawyer present.
  • Don’t fall for the “we just want your side” trap.
  • Call a former chief prosecutor who knows their tactics—before you’re cornered.

If you’re under investigation or already talked to SAPD or Bexar County Sheriff’s detectives, call Del Prado Law now. We’ll stop the bleeding before it becomes a conviction.

🔹3. Family Violence in Bexar County: Even a Misdemeanor Can Wreck Your Life

You didn’t hit anyone. Maybe it was a loud argument. Maybe the neighbors called the cops. But now you’re facing a family violence charge in San Antonio, and it’s anything but minor.

Even a Class C misdemeanor for offensive contact—a simple push, grab, or poke—can come with a “family violence finding” under Texas law. That’s a scarlet letter.

💣 A “Family Violence Finding” in Texas Means:

  • Lifetime gun ban under federal law—even for a misdemeanor
  • Job loss, especially if you work in health care, security, or education
  • Losing custody or child visitation rights
  • No expunction if you plead to anything with a family violence finding

⚖️ Bexar County Domestic Violence Charges Are Often One-Sided
San Antonio prosecutors often try to move forward even without the alleged victim cooperating. They rely on hearsay, body cam, or statements they claim are “non-testimonial” to bypass your right to confront your accuser.

That’s why you need a defense lawyer who knows how to challenge every piece of evidence—before the system steamrolls you.

🔹4. Self-Defense in Texas: What the Law Really Allows in Bexar County

You didn’t want a fight. But in that moment—maybe in your own home, or in a parking lot downtown—you were forced to act.

Under Texas Penal Code § 9.31–9.33, you are legally allowed to use reasonable force—including deadly force—if you believe it is immediately necessary to protect yourself or someone else.

In Bexar County, that right is not just a theory. It’s a shield. But you must raise it correctly and early.

🛡 When Is Self-Defense Justified in San Antonio?

  • If you’re attacked in your home, car, or place of work (Castle Doctrine)
  • If someone threatens you with a weapon or serious bodily harm
  • If you’re defending a third party under immediate threat
  • If you are not the aggressor and are lawfully present—you have no duty to retreat

The key? The belief must be reasonable—and the force proportional.

You deserve a defense lawyer in San Antonio who can tell your story and prove your fear was justified. At Del Prado Law, we don’t just know self-defense—we live it in court, every day.

🔹5. What Happens at the Central Magistrate in San Antonio? A Guide to First Appearances in Bexar County

You’ve been arrested in San Antonio. Now you—or your loved one—is sitting in holding, waiting to see a judge.

That’s the Central Magistrate Court of Bexar County, located at 200 N. Comal, just west of downtown. Open 24/7, it’s where the accused have their first court appearance—and it can shape the rest of your case.

👨⚖️ What Happens at the San Antonio Central Magistrate?

  • The judge reads the charges and sets your bail.
  • Conditions are imposed (no contact orders, alcohol monitoring, etc.).
  • If you qualify, a public defender or pretrial release may be assigned—but don’t count on it.

Don’t let this moment pass without representation. A skilled criminal defense lawyer can fight for lower bail, stop harsh conditions, and prepare your defense immediately.

Most people wait until it’s too late. We don’t. We act now.

“The law won’t save you. But the truth might—if someone’s willing to fight for it.”

At Del Prado Law, we don’t take cases. We take causes. You deserve a defense that sees you as more than a case number. You deserve someone who will fight as if it were their own name on that indictment. In Texas, everyone deserves the chance to tell their story. But the system isn’t fair by default—it must be made fair.

If you or a loved one is facing arrest, family violence allegations, or standing up in self-defense—the difference between fading into the crowd or fighting to win is who stands with you—and how early.

📞 Call (210) 663-3750 for a free consultation
📍 Located in San Antonio, Texas, defending clients across Bexar County and beyond.
🛡 Board-certified. Former chief prosecutor. Fierce defender.

Let the government bring their accusations. We’ll bring the fight.

Can you guarantee that you will win my case?

No lawyer can ethically make such a commitment. If one does, walk away, they are lying. All an attorney can promise you is their best efforts, based upon their experience, knowledge (i.e. Board Certification in Criminal Law), proven skills in advocacy and the evidence.

Will I lose my liberty if convicted?

Each case is different, depending primarily on the charge(s), the law regarding eligibility for community service, one’s criminal record – if any – the prosecutor, jurisdiction, and the Judge.

So, it is vital that you seek quality, experienced, Board-Certified representation to hopefully obtain a dismissal, acquittal, reduction or if a conviction occurs – one who can advocate for the very best outcome.

The State, Government, Prosecution has no evidence – how can they proceed?
This is a frequent question and understandable. The issue is what constitutes “evidence” and the extreme ease with which the state can proceed on a misdemeanor charge and then, the not much greater hurdle for a felony charge.

Evidence can be something as simple as another person’s word or statement. For example: “Joe, hit me”. Even with no “evidence” of injury, a police officer may charge someone for assault on such a statement alone. The same goes for more serious assault accusations such as sexual assaults – there need not be any physical evidence of an assault to charge someone. This is the typical, “He said/She said” type of accusation.

Again, this is why it is vital to obtain representation that can aggressively and effectively challenge the state of this “evidence”.