Charged, But Not Convicted: Why Your Defense Starts Before Court

Why Early Defense Work Matters More Than You Think

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Innocent until proven guilty.” But what does that really mean in practice? If you’ve been charged with a crime in Texas, you may already feel like the system has labeled you guilty before you’ve had a chance to tell your side of the story.

The truth is, being charged is only the beginning of the legal process—not the end. What you do next can shape your future in ways you might not expect. That’s why early legal intervention matters. And it’s exactly why Tara Gilmore-Low and the team at Low Law Firm take action before your first court date.

Charged Is Not the Same as Convicted

Many people misunderstand what it means to be “charged.” It’s not a verdict. It’s not even proof that the case is strong. It simply means that law enforcement believes they have probable cause to accuse you of a crime.

You can read the official framework that governs criminal procedures in Texas here:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=CR.

Despite these protections, many people wait too long to get legal help. That hesitation can cost you opportunities to challenge the case early, protect valuable evidence, and prevent damaging statements from being used against you.

Why Hiring an Attorney Early Makes a Difference

When you bring Tara Gilmore-Low into your case early, you don’t just get someone standing beside you in court—you get a legal team working behind the scenes to:

• Investigate what really happened
• Preserve time-sensitive evidence
• Identify legal and procedural weaknesses
• Start building your defense before charges harden into official narratives

According to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, early legal intervention can improve outcomes by allowing your defense team to shape the case proactively—not reactively.

What Happens Before Court: Pre-Trial Strategy in Action

Pre-trial strategy is more than just paperwork. It’s an opportunity to shift the playing field in your favor. Tara Gilmore-Low takes a strategic approach to:

• Review and challenge police reports and witness statements
• Examine how evidence was collected and whether it was legal
• Negotiate with prosecutors before formal proceedings escalate
• File pre-trial motions, including Motions in Limine, to control what the prosecution can and cannot bring up in court

Understanding Motions in Limine

In Texas, one of the most powerful tools available before trial is a Motion in Limine. This motion is designed to prevent the other side from introducing certain types of evidence that may be:

• Inadmissible – Not allowed under Texas rules of evidence
• Prejudicial – Unfairly biases the judge or jury
• Irrelevant – Not directly related to the charges at hand

By filing a Motion in Limine, Tara Gilmore-Low works to limit the prosecution’s ability to introduce damaging or misleading information, helping to ensure your trial stays focused on the facts that matter.

For general information on the role of pre-trial motions, visit the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Preserving Evidence Before It’s Too Late

Evidence doesn’t last forever. Security footage gets overwritten. Witnesses forget what they saw. Digital records become harder to retrieve. Early action allows Tara Gilmore-Low to secure vital information that could make or break your case.

This includes:

• Requesting preservation of surveillance or dashcam footage
• Contacting witnesses while memories are fresh
• Filing legal notices to preserve digital or physical evidence

The longer you wait, the more you risk losing this valuable material.

The Risk of “Waiting to See What Happens”

Many people make the mistake of thinking, “I’ll just wait until my court date and see what happens.”

This approach hands the advantage to the prosecution. By the time you show up to court without early legal representation, the state may have already:

• Locked in witness statements
• Strengthened their evidence
• Established a narrative that goes unchallenged

Early legal defense ensures you’re not walking into court at a disadvantage. It gives you a voice before the system makes up its mind.

Your Right to Take Action Starts Now

The law gives you the right to counsel and a defense the moment you’re charged—not just on your court date. Use that right to your advantage by contacting a defense attorney as soon as possible.

For more information on knowing your rights in Texas, visit the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

What’s Coming Next in Our Ongoing Series

In our next post, we’ll explore how prescription medications—even legal ones—can lead to criminal charges if they’re mishandled, shared, or misunderstood.

Coming Up Next:
“Prescription Drugs and Criminal Charges: When Legal Meds Become Legal Trouble”

Contact Low Law Firm Today

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime in Abilene or West Texas, don’t wait for your court date to take action. Contact Tara Gilmore-Low at Low Law Firm today.

📞 Call: 325-455-1889
🖥️ Schedule a consultation: https://lowlawfirm.com/contact