Stephen Nicholas | San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer

• San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• The State Bar of Texas Family Law Section

• Distinguished | Martindale-Hubbell
• Top Contributor | Avvo
• Client's Choice | Avvo

In a state district court, where a felony case was filed, I was able to gather enough information after arrest, but before indictment, and provide it to the appropriate person in the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's office, in order for the Assistant District Attorney supervising the case, to dismiss the Robbery complaint for which my client was charged, thereby, enabling the client's release from jail and from all pending charges, in Bexar County, Texas.

I built a successful practice by having the required patience and understanding to expend the time and energy necessary to achieve the best outcome for each client who placed their trust and faith in my being able to help them with whatever problem they were facing. In addition, returning phone calls, emails, and/or text messages as promptly as possible, is of highest priority in building my practice, as well as, making myself available at all hours possible, another high priority of mine, that has helped my practice be successful throughout the many years I have been practicing. Keeping current with knowledge of the law, and taking that extra step of additional research, when necessary, whether the client is able to pay or not, has also helped in building a successful practice. With criminal law in particular, the willingness to take care of a court appointed client in the same manner as the client who has paid thousands of dollars, has been crucial to building and maintaining a successful practice.

A successful attorney - client relationship begins with the faith that a client can place in the lawyer that their problem can be resolved in the most efficient means possible through the assistance of the lawyer they seek to hire. A client is well served to be attentive to the level of comfort they feel with the lawyer they choose. Questions to keep in mind when hiring as lawyer should include: Will the lawyer take the time necessary to learn the facts of their situation and address their concerns about their situation? Does the lawyer understand the law as it relates to their situation? Does the lawyer have the patience to take the time to do whatever is necessary to assist the client in resolving the situation, problem, or crisis confronting them? Is the lawyer charging an appropriate cost for the services to be rendered, in achieving the best resolution or outcome? Of primary importance is that the lawyer will be honest and forthcoming with the client about the strengths and weaknesses about whatever situation they have brought to the lawyer. Will the lawyer will keep them fully informed throughout the attorney - client relationship regarding all matters concerning the relationship? A written contract is also something a client should expect, when formalizing the attorney - client relationship and funds exchange hands. The contract should explain how the funds will be expended, if and when additional funds are expected, and how the lawyer intends on accounting for the use of the client's funds.

Local knowledge is helpful in terms of knowing where to park one's vehicle, the location of the courthouses, of the detention centers, but it is not "who you know" that creates a successful outcome. It is the respect able to be earned by the knowledge of the facts, the law as applied to those facts, diligence and persistence in pursuing the application of the law to the facts successfully, and convincing the judge or jury that the law that applies to the facts, in any given case, is in your client's favor.

A free phone consultation is no different than an initial consultation, on an in person basis, at my office. I will take the necessary time to understand the situation, may perform initial research, and provide necessary advice, as well as provide a range of what the representation, if undertaken, would expect to cost.

I need as much information as necessary to perform whatever investigation or research needed to analyze a prospective client's situation, which would include name, address, telephone number, email address, and any special identifying numbers or case or cause numbers that would help me gain information to be able to provide the prospective client and myself an idea of what can be accomplished and at what cost.

What differentiates other lawyers in the community and myself is the patience I have and use to understand a client's situation from the beginning of representation to the conclusion. I will expend the time necessary to perform the investigation and research to be able to best advise the client.

The one most single rewarding aspect of my work as a lawyer is having a client that is happy with my representation of them.

I am interested in music, martial arts, reading, and educating myself as to anything I do not already know something about.

Yes, as much as possible given the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic.