Criminal Defense Lawyer in Alabama
The state of Alabama is home to a number of natural landmarks such as the Natural Bridge Rock and the DeSoto Caverns. It is also home to the University of Alabama, which has one of the most successful college football programs of all-time. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is another prestigious school with strong academic and sports programs. However, while you may have a great time at the beaches in Mobile or at a Rocket City Trash Pandas baseball game, it’s important to obey the law at all times.
What to Know If You’re Stopped by the Police
If you are stopped by the police for any reason, you should comply with all lawful orders in a timely manner. While you may not like the idea of being put into handcuffs or taken to jail, evading or resisting authorities will only make the situation worse. In some cases, you will receive additional charges that may come with jail time or other significant penalties if convicted.
It’s worth noting that you won’t necessarily go to jail merely because you interacted with a police officer or because you were put into handcuffs. For instance, if you’re found to be drunk in public, you may be given a ticket and released into the custody of a sober friend or relative. It may also be possible to go home after being charged with other relatively minor crimes such as petit larceny or being in possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney
Local Counsel
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Linda Julin McNamara
Former Chief, DOJ Appeals
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Kevin M. Sheridan
Former Special Agent (FBI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Dennis A. Wichern
Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)
What to Do After Being Taken Into Custody
Ideally, you will continue to remain quiet after you are taken to jail. By saying as little as possible, you deny authorities a potential source of information that might make it easier to obtain a conviction. It might also prevent authorities from pressing additional charges as your statements may provide insight into other criminal acts that you might have committed.
It’s also in your best interest to hire an Alabama criminal defense attorney to help with your case. An attorney may be able to help you obtain bail, reduce the amount that you have to pay, or take other steps to secure your release in a timely manner. There is also a chance that your attorney will be able to get the charges against you dropped within hours or days.
Other Potential Benefits to Hiring an Attorney
Hiring an attorney from The Criminal Law Defense Firm may make it easier to obtain a favorable outcome in your case because we have experience as federal agents. A number of our attorneys spent time as federal prosecutors or members of numerous agencies such as the IRS, OIG, or DOJ. Therefore, judges and prosecutors tend to hold us in high regard and understand that they can’t cut corners if they want to obtain a conviction or a favorable plea deal.
While we cannot guarantee any particular outcome in your case, there are many things that we may be uniquely positioned to do in an effort to earn an acquittal in your proceeding. For instance, we may be able to gain insight into decisions that prosecutors make such as charging you with a lesser offense or allowing you to go free on bail.
These choices may indicate that the prosecution doesn’t feel good about its case or that it doesn’t consider your crime to be especially heinous. This may open the door to negotiating a plea deal in a relatively short period of time or open the door to take a more aggressive stance during trial in an effort to obtain a full acquittal.
The Types of Cases The Criminal Defense Firm Typically Handles
Our firm handles almost any type of criminal case that our clients may bring. These cases may include drunk driving, murder, or assault on a spouse, friend or colleague. If you are charged with theft, drug possession, or arson, we may be able to help with those types of cases as well. Our firm may also be able to help with cases involving fraud, tax evasion, or other types of financial crimes. Let’s take a closer look at some of the charges typically pursued by state authorities.
Assault and Battery
Assault and battery are typically misdemeanor charges unless there are aggravating factors. Aggravating factors may include the fact that you caused serious injuries or the fact that you put your hands on a police officer.
Drunk driving
Drunk driving occurs when you operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher. You can also be taken into custody on this charge if an officer believes that you are impaired regardless of your BAC. Signs of impairment may include the smell of alcohol on your breath, bloodshot eyes, or slurred speech.
Larceny
Larceny occurs when you take or make use of items that don’t belong to you, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of them. This is different from burglary as this occurs whenever you enter a structure for the purposes of committing a crime. Larceny may also be referred to as theft and may be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the goods taken.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of defense strategies might you use?
The type of strategy that we might use in your case depends on the facts of the matter as well as your preferences. For instance, if your goal is to obtain an acquittal, we may decide the best way to do that is to cast doubt on every fact presented by the prosecution. This might be done by highlighting inconsistencies in witness testimony during cross-examination or highlighting chain of custody errors that may render physical evidence inadmissible at trial.
While defendants don’t typically testify at their trials, you have the right to do so. If you do choose to testify, it will likely influence our strategy during trial or the decisions that we make before the case gets to court. It’s important to note that you will be subject to cross-examination if you decide to take the stand.
What types of penalties might I face if convicted?
If you are convicted of a crime, you may face numerous penalties including jail time, probation, or a fine. You may also be required to perform community service, pay restitution to your victims, or have an ignition interlock device installed inside of your vehicle. A judge might also order you to refrain from using drugs or alcohol, avoid the use of electronic devices, or stay away from those who were victimized by your actions.
How much will I pay to bail out of jail?
There is no guarantee that you will be allowed to bail out of jail. However, as long as you aren’t deemed a flight risk or a danger to reoffend while free, you will likely be allowed to post bail to secure your release pending the outcome of your case. The amount you pay will depend on the crime you are accused of committing, your criminal history, and your perceived risk of committing other offenses after being released. Generally speaking, you might pay anywhere from $500 to $5,000 if you’re charged with a misdemeanor and over $10,000 if you are charged with a felony or multiple serious offenses.
Will the government track me while my case is pending?
The government may take steps to keep tabs on your location while you are free on bail. For instance, you may be asked to wear an electronic ankle bracelet or to check in with an officer at regular intervals. You may also need to obtain permission to travel outside of the county or state. It’s also possible that authorities will keep tabs on your online activity or keep track of who you talk with. Your Alabama criminal defense attorney may provide more information about what the government might do and what it likely can’t or won’t do while your case is ongoing.
What happens after the initial consultation?
After the initial consultation is over, we will send you a proposal that you can sign and send back to us at your convenience. Assuming that you do send the signed form back to us, we will select an attorney and get started on your case. A second meeting will be scheduled during which you can talk more about the details of your proceeding.
How We May Help in Alabama
If you are looking for an Alabama criminal defense attorney, don’t hesitate to contact The Criminal Defense Firm using our online contact form or by calling our nationwide intake number at 866-603-4540.
The initial consultation generally takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete. You don’t have to divulge your name, location or other potentially sensitive information. It’s also important to note that the consultation is free, so the only thing that you have to lose by talking to use is a few minutes of your time. There is no obligation to hire The Criminal Defense Firm simply because you got in touch with us.