Criminal Defense Lawyer Joseph Aragon on Austin's Crime Problems

Online, July 18, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Criminal defense lawyer Joseph Aragon took a look at some of the latest Austin criminal statistics and crime rates. Those stats compared favorably to San Antonio though some experts would likely point out population differences.

San Antonio is roughly twice the size of Austin but it has higher percentages of both property crimes and violent crimes. Austin has long been considered and voted by many magazines to be a step up in living situation.

There are some hotspots in Austin where crime runs rampant. Aragon noticed hotspots with high violent crimes in central Austin, just north and slightly west of central Austin, and the seemingly ever present hotbed of criminal activity in the Southeast Austin and Dove Springs area.

If possible avoid these areas. Going there during the daytime is usually an okay idea. But it's best to avoid these areas at night when visibility is limited and the areas are known for violent crimes.

There are also lots of drugs and illegal drug activity in these areas. Sometimes people find themselves in situations where through no fault of their own drugs end up in their cars. Sometimes it belongs to a friend. Other times it's a friend of a friend.

Unfortunately, unless one party owns up to it all parties in the vehicle or in the residence are likely to be arrested. Then it gets into the court system to be sorted out. This can be a long and very expensive process. Without quality and skilled criminal defense representation the situation could spiral out of control.

Court costs, fines and even detainment in jail can result. Many bystanders have been caught up in circumstances where they were transporting drugs unbeknownst to them. It's impossible to know the motives and what strangers possess on their person. It's very difficult to know even what close friends could be carrying on their person.

Since illegal drugs are such an illicit and taboo subject even when a person is carrying they don't broadcast this fact. When caught up in a situation like this it's best to keep silent and admit nothing. There's no reason to answer any questions on the matter until a criminal defense attorney is there to advocate on what's what.

A well-trained criminal defense attorney will screen the questions to tell which ones should be answered and which ones should be left alone. And of course they'll be able to handle bail and all the other arrangements necessary should the situation arise.