Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense Attorney in Dothan
Have you been charged with a crime in Dothan, AL? Facing the criminal justice system can cause significant anxiety and stress as you worry about your freedom and future. An experienced criminal defense attorney can give you peace of mind, knowing a dedicated advocate will fight for your rights and interests. Let a Dothan, AL, criminal defense lawyer from Parker Trial Law help you seek a favorable resolution to your criminal charges.
Since 2016, our firm has provided dedicated, zealous legal representation to clients facing criminal prosecution in Alabama, Georgia, and across the U.S. Our criminal division benefits from the leadership of nationally recognized trial attorney James W. Parkman, III. He and other Parker Trial Law attorneys have served as lead counsel in criminal cases in state and federal courts in over 20 jurisdictions, including in cases involving white-collar, homicide, and other high-stakes charges. Our lawyer can provide the legal advice and advocacy you need to level the playing field if you’re facing the criminal justice system.
When you choose us to represent you in your criminal case, you can expect us to treat you like family. Our attorneys will fight as hard as needed to secure the best possible result, including taking your case to trial when necessary. Contact Parker Trial Law today for a free initial case evaluation with a Dothan, AL, criminal defense attorney to discuss how we can help you pursue a favorable outcome to your charges.
How a Criminal Attorney in Dothan, AL, Can Help You
After prosecutors file criminal charges against you, a criminal defense attorney from Parker Trial Law can help you seek a favorable resolution to your case by:
- Thoroughly investigating your charges to obtain all available evidence
- Evaluating the facts and circumstances of your case and developing tailored defense strategies
- Working with experts as needed to build the most robust case to defend your reputation and future
- Explaining your charges and legal options to you to help you make informed decisions
- Vigorously pursuing the best possible outcome in your case, including advocating on your behalf at trial
Why You Need a Lawyer When Facing Criminal Charges
Law enforcement and prosecutors have substantial resources to investigate and pursue criminal charges. After getting charged with a crime, you need a lawyer to help you stand up to the criminal justice system to defend your rights, reputation, and future.
An experienced lawyer can help you understand your criminal charges and the things you can expect to occur in your criminal case. A lawyer can also identify possible defense strategies to help you secure a reduction or dismissal of your charges or an acquittal at trial. A criminal defense attorney will also know how to investigate your charges and what evidence might help build an effective defense strategy.
What Steps You Should Take If You Have Been Arrested
Following an arrest, taking prompt action can best protect your rights and give you a better chance of securing a favorable outcome to your criminal charges. First, remember to exercise your right to remain silent. You must not answer the police’s questions about your charges or other criminal activity. You can politely and firmly decline to answer questions.
Next, exercise your right to speak to a criminal defense attorney. You have the right to consult a lawyer before police questioning and have your lawyer present during questioning. A criminal defense attorney can help you evaluate your legal rights and options, prepare you for what to expect after an arrest, and advise you of the next steps you can take to protect your freedom and future.
Potential Defenses to Charges You Are Facing
Depending on the specific charges you face, you may have various legal and factual defenses or case strategies to help you seek a reduction or dismissal of your charges or an acquittal at trial. For example, your defense strategy may involve denying that you committed the charged offense. The prosecution bears the burden of proving each element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Other common defenses raised in criminal trials include:
Consent
Defenses in sex crime cases frequently revolve around consent, with the defendant arguing that the alleged victim consented to the sexual activity.
Mistake of Fact
Many criminal cases can involve a defense of a mistake of fact, such as in a theft case when a defendant claims they believed they owned or had a legal right to the property.
Lack of Intent
A defendant may fight a criminal charge by arguing that they did not have the required intent under the criminal statute.
Duress
A duress defense claims another party forced the defendant to commit the crime.
Necessity
In a necessity defense, a defendant alleges they had to commit the crime to avoid more severe harm.
Entrapment
An entrapment defense claims that the government induced the defendant to commit the charged crime when the defendant otherwise would not have committed it.
Self-Defense
In assault or homicide cases, defendants may claim that they acted in self-defense, defense of others, or defense of property. However, a valid self-defense claim requires a defendant to use force proportional to the force used against them. For example, an individual cannot use deadly force to defend themselves from non-lethal force.
Your case strategy may also focus on challenging the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence by highlighting to the jury that the evidence fails to prove each element of your charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defense strategies also frequently challenge the admissibility of the state’s evidence, including by alleging that police unlawfully obtained the evidence. An unlawful search can occur when police stop a suspect without reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or conduct the search without probable cause or a warrant.
A defendant may also seek to exclude statements they gave to investigators if the police questioning violated the defendant’s rights. Defendants can also challenge the reliability of evidence, such as by contesting the validity of laboratory or forensic testing or highlighting breaks in the chain of custody of the evidence.
Get an Advocate on Your Side
Call us today
334-699-4040
Penalties You Could Face for Criminal Convictions in Dothan, AL
Sentences for criminal convictions in Alabama typically depend on the grading of the offense. Alabama classifies criminal offenses as felonies or misdemeanors. Potential sentences for felony offenses in Alabama include:
- Class A Felony – Life imprisonment, or a term of 10 to 99 years. For Class A felonies involving the use of a firearm or deadly weapon or a Class A felony sex offense involving a child, a term of 20 to 99 years.
- Class B Felony – Two to 20 years in prison. For Class B felonies involving the use of a firearm or deadly weapon or a Class A felony sex offense involving a child, a term of 10 to 20 years.
- Class C Felony – One to 10 years in prison. For Class C felonies involving the use of a firearm or deadly weapon or a Class A felony sex offense involving a child, 10 years in prison.
- Class D Felony – One to five years in prison.
Sentences for misdemeanors and violations in Alabama include:
- Class A Misdemeanor – Up to one year in county jail or hard labor
- Class B Misdemeanor – Up to six months in county jail or hard labor
- Class C Misdemeanor – Up to three months in county jail or hard labor
- Violations – Up to 30 days in county jail
Some criminal offenses have additional penalties beyond prison sentences. For example, defendants convicted of sex offenses may have to register as sex offenders following their release from prison. In some cases, the court may designate a defendant convicted of a sex offense as a sexually violent predator, which comes with additional penalties and restrictions.
Other requirements that a defendant may have in their sentence include:
- Payment of fines
- Restitution (the obligation to reimburse the victim for financial losses they incurred due to the defendant’s crime)
- Driver’s license suspension
- Substance abuse or mental health treatment
Types of Criminal Cases We Handle
A Dothan criminal defense attorney from Parker Trial Law can help you pursue a favorable resolution to criminal cases involving charges such as:
DUI and DWI
Our firm helps clients arrested for intoxicated driving, guiding them through the criminal justice system to minimize the consequences of a DUI conviction.
Drug Offenses
We represent individuals facing drug-related charges, including simple possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, drug trafficking, or possession with intent to distribute.
Assault and Battery
Let us help you defend your freedom and future after getting charged with assault crimes, like simple or aggravated assault or battery.
Theft and Robbery
We advocate for defendants facing theft-related charges, such as shoplifting, larceny, or robbery.
Domestic Violence
Our firm defends the rights and reputation of clients accused of committing domestic violence offenses.
Sex Crimes
We offer vigorous criminal defense for individuals charged with sex-based offenses, such as sexual assault, lewdness, or child pornography.
Juvenile Defense
Our firm can help your son or daughter resolve juvenile delinquency charges to prevent one mistake from jeopardizing their future.
Contact Our Dothan, AL, Criminal Defense Attorney Today
Following an arrest for a criminal offense, you need highly experienced legal representation to protect your rights and interests during the criminal process. Contact Parker Trial Law today for a free, confidential consultation with a Dothan, AL, criminal lawyer. You can discuss your legal options and learn more about how our firm will defend your rights, reputation, and future from the consequences of a criminal arrest and conviction.
Our Awards & Recognition
