When I tell people I’m a criminal defense attorney, they usually laugh and say “I hope I never have to call you!” I know what they mean. You can put criminal lawyers in the same category as air conditioning repairmen, cardiologists, and firefighters. People come to us only when there is a serious problem that needs to be fixed immediately.
Did you know that all criminal cases in Memphis, from traffic tickets on up, are heard at the Criminal Justice center located at 201 Poplar Ave. downtown? If you have a case, this is where you’ll go. It’s downtown right at the corner of Third St. and Poplar. Your attorney can tell you how to get there, where to park, and how to find the courtroom. If you’ve never been to 201 Poplar before, you need to know these kinds of things. Here are some reasons why it is good to know a Memphis criminal lawyer:
1. If you have the habit of speeding. Most of us drive around town all day, and many of us are going faster than the posted speed limit, sometimes much faster. But be careful. There has been an increase in speeding tickets in Memphis of late. You’ve probably heard or read about it in the news. A Memphis speeding ticket lawyer can help you if you were caught on one foot. Your attorney can arrange so you don’t have to go to court and stand in line, and in many cases can calculate the fine without putting it on your driving record and you don’t have to pay court costs.
2. If you have children, especially adolescents. Even teenagers from good families have a knack for getting into trouble. We now live in a society where the slightest sign of trouble on the part of a young person will lead to a police or school investigation. Parents: Despite your best efforts to raise your child well, they will occasionally stray and he or she may end up in juvenile court. The Memphis Juvenile Court is located downtown at 616 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN. It is in a different building than the adult court. Going to juvenile court can be for a relatively minor matter, such as shoplifting or underage drinking. But it can be for a serious case such as possession of weapons, drug use or a sexual offense. If you get a call from the police alleging something your child did, you’ll be glad to know you have a Memphis misdemeanor lawyer to call. Your attorney can investigate the facts, speak for her child in court, and make sure he or she does not end up with a harmful permanent conviction.
3. If you own a gun. Gun ownership in the United States is at an all-time high, and with Memphis perennially ranked as one of the most violent cities, we have our fair share of legally armed citizens. If you are forced to use your weapon in defense of yourself, your family or your home, it is essential to have a criminal defense attorney on call. After the police investigate the shooting, they’ll want you to give a statement. Even if the use of deadly force was justified, the incident will be reviewed later by people who were not in your place. Protect yourself by contacting a Memphis criminal lawyer ahead of time, for when that day comes.
4. If you are in an abusive or unstable relationship. Whether you’ve been harassed or worse by someone you’ve dated or lived with, or were arrested for domestic battery for an incident that got blown out of proportion, a Memphis domestic violence lawyer can help. In domestic cases, the police will arrest first and ask questions later. It doesn’t matter if the victim doesn’t want to press charges or if the whole situation was a misunderstanding. Knowing a criminal defense lawyer can help, as you can begin the process of negotiating with the prosecutor, have bail conditions or no contact orders lifted, and enroll in anger management programs or psychological evaluation ordered by the court. court.
5. If you are a first time offender and want your case handled correctly. For first-time offenders who have been charged with a crime, it is critical that you do everything possible to avoid a conviction. Knowing the right Memphis criminal lawyer to call is the first step. Whether the case is theft, drug possession, assault, or DUI, your attorney can investigate all legal options to resolve the case favorably. Additionally, your attorney will help you navigate a complex court system that he or she will not be familiar with. If he has never been in this situation before, he will be glad to have someone with experience on his side.