Our Mission

This is NOT How Your Story Ends


If you or your loved one have been charged with a crime, know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.   Being accused of a crime can be terrifying and overwhelming.  If you’re reading this,  it is likely you or a family member have been arrested or are currently being investigated by the police.  If you feel like the sky is falling, like it’s you against the world, and you just don’t see any way through, know this is not how your story ends.  Over 90% of our clients don’t spend a day in jail.  Our team of trial attorneys work tirelessly to advocate for our clients.  We fight to restore your reputation and to safeguard your constitutional rights.

What You Need To Know

1. The police are not your friend
It’s important to recognize that most police are not bad people – but they do have a job to do.  And that job typically includes building a case against you or your loved one.  It’s imperative that you not speak to law enforcement without an attorney present, even if you’re innocent – especially if you’re innocent.  A criminal investigation is something you generally cannot talk your way out of.  Police can, intentionally or unintentionally, twist things you say or take your statements out of context.  Worse, the law allows police to use trickery or deceit to convince you to confess or turn over evidence.   Police often use tactics to convince you to waive your rights and talk to them.  Listen for statements like, “why do you need an attorney if you’re innocent” or “We can’t help you if you don’t tell us your side of the story.” or “If you don’t tell us what happened, we’ll just have to arrest you.” Don’t take the bait.  Instead of providing a statement, invoke your right to remain silent.  You can do so by respectfully and unequivocally telling law enforcement – “I want to speak with you, but I was taught to always have my lawyer present.  Respectfully, I do not want to answer any questions.  I wish to remain silent and invoke my right to counsel.”  Check out this video on how to invoke your rights.
2. Don’t consent to a search of your cell phone, car, or home

The United States constitution protects every one of us from unreasonable searches and seizures.  When you give consent to law enforcement to search your home or personal belongings, you are waiving your constitutional rights.  Police officers are trained in psychological tactics to try to influence you to waive your rights.  They can be intimidating and in some instances, overtly threatening.  Don’t give in.   Even if you feel like they are going to find the evidence eventually, insist they get a warrant.  In other words, do not give them your password, do not allow them into your home, do not let them search your car.  Police officers will often try to trick you to get you to open your phone up.  They may tell you that you can call your parents or significant other.  As soon as you open your  phone to make the call, they seize your phone.  Resist the temptation to waive your rights.  They exist for your protection.

3. Hiring the right attorney is the single most important decision you can make

If you’re reading this, know you’re doing exactly what you should be doing: looking for the right lawyer to fight for you or your loved one. Every lawyer claims to be the best. But how do you know which attorney will return your calls and keep you informed? And how do you know that your attorney cares more about your future than his pocketbook? The truth is, you really don’t know. The best recommendation is a direct referral from a family member or friend. Ask around and see what they have to say. Then call up the attorney and talk to them. Ask for a list of references. If they are too busy for you in the beginning, they will almost certainly be too busy for you down the road. If they refuse to provide you with a list of references, that should be a red flag as well. If you don’t know any attorneys personally, we recommend going online and doing your research. Check out sites like Avvo, Google, and Yelp. Don’t be afraid to schedule several consultations with different lawyers. Check out our guide on what to look for when hiring an attorney. Print it out and take it with you to every consultation. Remember – your future and reputation are on the line – so choose wisely.

4. What you do RIGHT NOW matters

Take action. Make a plan. Everything you do from this point forward will either help you or hurt you. Caught with drugs? Arrested for a DWI? Stop using immediately. Submit to drug and alcohol tests bi-weekly to establish a pattern of sobriety. Take online courses regarding the collateral consequences of addiction. Attend AA or NA daily. Go to rehab. By putting a plan into place and then executing that plan – you are showing the prosecutor that your serious about changing your life. The attorney that you hire should be able to help you develop a plan and help you put it into action.

5. Don’t give up

We know this process can be scary. Not just for your but for your family as well. People regularly mention during our consultations that they feel hopeless. Know this this too shall pass. No matter your circumstances or the evidence against you, there is always a path forward . We believe in our clients and we’ll do everything possible to give you the best chance at success.

What is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

A defense attorney is considered a legal professional who works to provide representation for individuals or organizations accused of committing a crime, whether that be misdemeanor or felony charges. Their primary role is to advocate for their clients and ensure their legal rights are protected throughout the criminal justice process. Some responsibilities of a criminal defense attorney can include delivering legal advice, analyzing the facts and evidence of the case, providing representation in court, and cross-examination of potential witnesses. At Keith & Lorfing, our team does just that and more.

You will want someone whose main interest is not in plea bargains but someone who will actually do the work involved in investigating, analyzing, and preparing your case to achieve the best possible result. That result may mean the negotiation of a reduced plea if that is the most effective step to take or it may mean aggressively fighting the prosecution in court.

At Keith & Lorfing, you can partner with a criminal defense lawyer who is not interested in taking the easy way out. Whether you are facing charges for a misdemeanor or felony, our attorney applies an intensive work ethic and all of his years of experience as a former state and federal prosecutor on your behalf. That kind of vast experience is irreplaceable and invaluable when it comes to fighting the opposing counsel. Our attorney understands how the other side works and the tactics that can be used against you. That means strategies can be put into place to counteract those tactics as we pursue your best interests and vigorously defend your legal rights.

Criminal Defense Cases in West Texas

Our firm defends all state and federal crimes. These various crimes can include but are not limited to:

We understand how confusing and overwhelming the legal process can be. We know that you will likely be anxious and stressed about how you will be treated and the effects the process will have on you, your family, and your entire future. Those effects can be enormous, depending on the charges you face, involving jail or prison time, heavy fines, lengthy probation, and other court-ordered penalties.

If you retain our services as soon as possible in any criminal case, we may be able to get charges dropped or bring about some other favorable result without going to court. Not all cases go to trial; an effective criminal defense attorney can work on your behalf both inside and outside courtrooms. If your case does go to trial, however, having an attorney with trial experience can be a game-changer. Our attorney has handled dozens of trials involving complex cases based on a variety of alleged crimes.

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