A criminal record can significantly affect your life in a variety of ways including loss of freedom, loss of employment, ability to own a firearm or vote, and even the right to rent an apartment. It’s important to have a good louisiana criminal defense lawyer on your side.
Keith Whiddon is a full service criminal defense attorney. He has extensive experience defending clients against misdemeanors and felonies in state and federal courts.
Drug Possession
Possession of drugs is one of the most common criminal offenses. The law defines possession as actual care, custody or control of an illegal substance. A person may have it in their pocket, bag or other personal item (actual possession), or he or she may have control of the drugs by keeping them in his or her car, locker or storage area (constructive possession).
A skilled criminal defense lawyer can challenge evidence in a drug case, such as proving that the defendant did not possess the controlled substance in question. A conviction of drug possession could lead to a criminal record that makes it difficult to find employment or secure housing.
Theft
Theft is a serious crime that can cause severe consequences for a person’s future. It may affect a person’s ability to obtain employment in the future and can even prevent them from attending college or having access to financial aid.
If a person can prove that they were falsely accused of theft, they may be able to have the charges against them dropped. This can be a common defense in cases where one spouse is accusing the other of false allegations during divorce proceedings.
According to legislation, a person can be charged with theft if they dishonestly take or remove property that doesn’t belong to them. This can include stealing from a store or even stealing from a neighbor’s yard.
Sex Crimes
Whether or not the allegations are true, sex crimes carry severe repercussions that impact one’s career, reputation, and relationships. It is imperative to have an attorney that is proficient in defending individuals accused of such crimes.
Sex crimes are usually felony offenses, and they may result in hefty fines and prison time. They also require registration as a sex offender, which affects job, housing, and social opportunities for the rest of one’s life.
Defense lawyers that specialize in sex crime cases must be familiar with local laws and the tactics used by police and prosecutors. These attorneys must also be able to conduct thorough investigations into the allegations.
Felony Charges
Felony charges can impact every aspect of your life, including your ability to hold a job or professional license, rent an apartment and obtain loans. They can even affect your ability to vote and own a firearm.
Murder charges are some of the most serious state criminal charges a person can face in Louisiana. If you’re charged with murder, you need a criminal defense lawyer with experience defending clients against this type of charge.
Our firm has successfully negotiated many Class B and other high-level felonies down to lesser charges like misdemeanors. We know how to fight for our clients and get them the best results possible.
Federal Charges
If you are facing federal charges, the criminal defense lawyer you hire should have experience in this type of case. In general, crimes that involve interstate commerce or national security can lead to federal prosecution. Other reasons a person might be charged with a federal crime include using a false passport, mail fraud, wire fraud or tax evasion.
Murder charges are among the most serious criminal charges a person can face in Louisiana. Conviction of murder could change a person’s life forever and deprive them of their future. For this reason, it is important to have a good louisiana criminal defense lawyer on your side when you are charged with murder.
Expungement
Expungement (or expungment) is the legal process of clearing an arrest or conviction from your record. If you are eligible, it can dramatically change your life by opening up new options for employment, housing and more.
A criminal defense lawyer with a long track record of success fighting murder charges can give you the best chance at getting your case dismissed or reduced. They can argue that police conducted an illegal search and seizure or that you were the victim of entrapment. They can also help you regain your gun rights if they were lost as the result of a conviction. The lawyer you choose can make all the difference.
