Ballard Law, PLLC is a criminal defense law firm in Jackson, Mississippi that may be able to assist you if you are facing criminal charges for drug possession or for drunk driving (DUI). It can be incredibly stressful to be facing criminal charges. Fortunately, you are innocent until you are proven guilty, and there are several ways that a criminal defense law firm can defend you if you have been arrested for a DUI or if you have been arrested on a drug possession charge. Whether you are considering taking a plea deal, want to fight your charges in court, or have questions about your rights if you are facing police questioning or arrest, Ballard Law, PLLC, and its Jackson criminal defense lawyers can protect your rights and help you get the best possible outcome permitted under the law.
What Steps Should You Take if You Are Under Arrest in Jackson, Mississippi?
If you are under arrest in Jackson, Mississippi, there are several steps you can take to protect your rights. The moments after you have been arrested can be confusing and stressful. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- If police ask you if they can search your person or property, you do not have to agree to any search. Tell police politely and calmly that you do not consent to any searches and that you want to see a warrant before police can perform a search, look in your car, or search your home. If you are under arrest for a DUI, you may lose your license if you do not consent to a blood or breath test, but you do have the right to refuse to take these tests.
- If police arrest you and read you your Miranda warnings, calmly let police know that you plan to remain silent. Due to a recent Supreme Court ruling, police can question you and you may have to verbally tell officers that you are asserting your right to remain silent. Simply tell police that you wish to remain quiet and want to speak to your criminal defense lawyer in Jackson. Then, call Ballard Law, a criminal defense law firm in Jackson, Mississippi.
- If you are charged with a crime, charges will be recorded and then you will be required to attend a court hearing where you will be required to make a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Before pleading guilty, it is wise to speak to a Jackson criminal defense attorney at Ballard Law, PLLC. If the police have a strong case against you with strong evidence, sometimes it might be wise to accept a plea deal, because you could face reduced charges and possibly reduced jail time. However, before any plea deal is accepted, you should first speak to a lawyer. If the prosecution’s case is weak, for example, it may be in your best interests to request a jury trial.
- If you go to trial, you may be permitted to leave jail on bail while you await your trial date. Your Jackson MS criminal defense lawyer can assist you with requesting reasonable bail for your charges.
- If you go to trial, Ballard Law, PLLC is a criminal defense law firm in Jackson Mississippi that can work hard to present the strongest possible case in court. Our firm can work to get you a jury trial of your peers. A jury may sometimes be more inclined to acquit, so it can be helpful to have a trial of your peers. There are many ways a criminal case can be defended. For example, if you have a good alibi, Ballard Law may be able to get your charges reduced or dropped. If police violated your Constitutional rights or illegally gathered evidence, charges may be able to be reduced or dropped. There are a range of possible legal defenses available to you. Ballard Law, PLLC may be able to assist you.
These are some of the steps that you may need to take if you have been arrested in Jackson, Mississippi. Protect your rights and freedom. Contact Ballard Law, PLLC, a criminal defense law firm in Jackson, Mississippi today if you are facing criminal charges.
Difference Between Misdemeanors and Felonies
If you are facing criminal charges in Jackson, Mississippi, you may be facing either misdemeanor or felony charges. What is the difference? Basically, the difference between a misdemeanor or a felony has largely to do with how long you may have to serve in jail. In most cases, misdemeanors come with jail time of less than one year, while felonies are more serious offenses that come with jail time more than one year. Felony crimes are broken down into different classes of felonies with the most serious felonies punishable by death or life in prison.
Ballard Law, PLLC is a Jackson Mississippi criminal defense law firm that offers criminal defense to individuals facing misdemeanor or felony charges. Whether you’ll face a misdemeanor or a felony will depend on the nature of your crimes. For example, if you hurt another person while drinking and driving or if you killed a person while driving, you could face felony DUI charges. If you are a repeat drunk driver, had a high BAC, or had children in your vehicle when you were drunk, you could also face felony drunk driving charges. Whether a drug possession charge is a felony or a misdemeanor will depend on the types of drugs found in your possession, whether you had an intent to sell drugs, and how much of a given substance was in your possession at the time.
If you are facing felony or misdemeanor charges, you could be facing jail time, could face having a criminal record, the loss of your job, and the loss of your good reputation. Ballard Law, PLLC, and its criminal defense attorneys in Jackson, Mississippi can review your charges and help map out the best course of action going forward. Protect your rights and reputation. Contact Ballard Law, PLLC today.