Jefferson Parish Felony Lawyer

It can be extremely difficult to face felony charges, both physically and emotionally. Learning about the severity of a felony and how the legal process works can help you understand more about your case and make sure your rights are protected. Consider working with a Jefferson Parish felony lawyer to receive targeted and detailed information about your legal situation so that you can be supported during such a critical time in your life.

Top-Notch Legal Defense

Our firm is proud to be led by a criminal defense attorney with 29 years of experience in local courts. With a background as a former court and district attorney, we offer a well-rounded and insightful approach for all of our clients. We handle a wide range of felony charges, including drug crimes, juvenile crimes, and DUIs. Our firm understands the serious nature of felony charges and is committed to providing strategies to help your case.

What Is a Felony?

A felony is generally considered a serious crime. While misdemeanors might be used for less severe offenses, a felony usually comes with a long prison sentence, a high amount of fines, and other consequences based on the offense, like a license suspension or community service. Felony charges include things like:

• Violent Crimes: Many people think of crimes like murder or manslaughter when they think of felonies. The difference between the two is in the intention. If someone meant to kill another person, it is considered murder. If someone did not mean to kill the victim but did so anyway, it is considered manslaughter. Other violent felonies include aggravated assault and kidnapping.
• Property Crimes: Several property-related crimes are quite serious, like unlawfully entering a building. This is considered burglary if the individual intended to steal items from the property and can come with a large sentence if they did so in a residence. Arson and grand larceny, which is theft of a large amount of property, are also considered felonies due to the significant amount of damage they can cause.
• Drug Offenses: Most individuals do not receive a felony charge for simply possessing an illegal substance unless they are found with large amounts. If the amount of drugs found exceeds a certain threshold, then law enforcement will assume that the individual was attempting to sell or distribute the drugs in some way. Manufacturing, growing, or otherwise creating drugs is also a felony charge.
• Sex Crimes: Many types of sex crimes, like rape and sexual assault, are felony offenses. They also come with the added consequence of requiring you to register as a sex offender, severely limiting the number of options you have for employment or housing.
• Juvenile Crimes: Juveniles convicted of felony crimes can receive up to imprisonment up to the age of 21. If a juvenile is tried in adult court, then it might be possible for them to receive a felony conviction. This is usually reserved for extremely violent crimes like murder.
• DUI/DWI: Some driving under the influence charges are considered misdemeanors, especially if the individual receiving them has not committed a DUI before. However, they could receive an aggravated charge if the DUI resulted in the harm of another individual, if they had an extremely high blood alcohol content, or were driving under the influence with a minor in the car at the same time.

Felonies are used in several circumstances to highlight how serious a crime is. They can have a significant impact on your future, so it is important to seek professional legal assistance for felony charges.

Misdemeanor Defense

Sometimes law enforcement gives misdemeanor charges to individuals without sufficient evidence or does not follow protocol during the arrest, making the evidence they do have invalid. In order for the defendant to be convicted, the prosecution has to prove that they committed the crime, which is called a burden of proof. Creating doubt about the strength of the evidence or lack thereof might be an effective strategy for defending against a misdemeanor.

If the defendant was forced or coerced to carry out a crime by another person or group, then they might be able to claim that they participated in the crime under duress. Evidence proving that the defendant might have been harmed if they did not perform criminal activity could influence the case in the defense’s favor, but this usually involves more minor situations with lesser charges.

Regardless of the context of a misdemeanor case, it is important to review the facts with an attorney to deal with the charges as effectively as possible. Not every defense works in every case, and it takes a significant amount of time and effort to create a strong defense for an individual with misdemeanor charges.

Felony Defense

Felony defenses are typically more involved than misdemeanor defenses due to the gravity of felony charges. These penalties are usually quite serious, so it is important to work with an attorney to create a strategy that works for your unique case.

In a felony case involving violence, many individuals attempt to defend their actions through self-defense. This defense claims that the other party was harming them in a way that required the defendant to attack them to protect themselves. The defendant usually has to prove that they felt they were in danger and that the force they used matched the level of threat they experienced.

Some defendants suffer from mental illnesses or disabilities that prevent them from thinking critically about their actions or understanding they were wrong. This defense can be difficult to prove and usually requires evidence from medical records and psychiatric examinations.

In some cases, the victim is able to prove that they were not present at the scene of the crime when it occurred. If they can give an effective alibi that is backed up by witnesses, then they might be able to use this to defend against potential felony charges. Other evidence like surveillance footage could be used if it clearly shows the defendant away from the crime scene.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Possible Punishments for a Felony in Louisiana?

A: The possible punishments for a felony include penalties like prison sentences and large fines. Felonies usually have a prison sentence, and it will be longer depending on the crime. A felony conviction also prevents a person from being able to vote and can make it more difficult for them to find employment or good housing. An attorney might be able to help reduce your charges to help your future prospects.

Q: How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help With a Felony Case?

A: A criminal defense attorney can represent you in court and in front of law enforcement. They can make sure your rights are protected during the process. Once you receive the charges, an attorney can review them and explain what they are so that you can make an informed decision on your case. They might be able to negotiate a plea bargain to reduce your sentence and lower your jail time, fines, or other consequences.

Q: Can a Felony Charge Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor?

A: A felony might be reduced to a misdemeanor in some cases. An experienced attorney can negotiate with the opposing counsel to reduce a felony sentence to a misdemeanor, but not in every case. It depends on the context of the case, the individual’s prior criminal history, and how strong the defense and the prosecution’s evidence are. This is why it is so important to work with a criminal defense attorney for felony charges.

Q: What Are My Rights if I Am Accused of a Felony?

A: If you are accused of a felony, you have the right to remain silent. You also have the right to an attorney before answering any questions. Each person accused of a felony has the right to a fair trial and to be informed of the details of what their charges are. If your case moves to a trial, you have the right to an attorney questioning witnesses and presenting evidence on your behalf to increase the odds of a favorable trial.

Learn More About Your Options

Understanding your rights is an important first step to take when defending yourself against a felony charge. Schedule a consultation with The Law Office of Ryan N. Cox to help understand the legal process and your rights to help improve your outcome. We are committed to supporting our clients through every step of the justice system after being accused of felony charges.