Knoxville, Tennessee Misdemeanor Defense Attorney

Misdemeanor Defense Attorney Serving Individuals in Knoxville, TN

Although misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, getting charged with one can still be an immensely stressful experience. Misdemeanors carry less than one year of jail time, but that fact may provide little comfort to the majority of people, who do not want to spend any time in jail at all. Even the night or weekend you spent locked up while waiting to see a judge may have been traumatic or frightening. The prospect of going back might reasonably terrify you. Fortunately, with the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney, many misdemeanor defendants can avoid returning to jail. You may even have a strong defense that can keep you from being convicted in the first place.

Attorney Lance K. Baker will handle your case with the same level of care as a serious felony. Our team is equally committed to each client, regardless of the level of offenses they have been charged with.

Help With Misdemeanor DUI Charges

Perhaps the most difficult part of a DUI is having your driver's license suspended. Not being able to drive can very much limit your life. While you may qualify for a hardship license that would let you drive to a very limited number of essential places, like work and your child's daycare, you would need to find alternate transportation if you want to go anywhere else.

There are also mandatory minimum jail sentences. A first DUI carries a sentence of at least 48 hours. The sentence increases for repeat DUIs, with a second DUI carrying a minimum sentence of 45 days and a third DUI resulting in a minimum sentence of 120 days.

Fortunately, we can take steps to defend you against a DUI charge. Having your blood or breath test excluded from evidence or questioning whether the traffic stop that led to your arrest violated your civil rights are both possible strategies.

Boating Under the Influence

While relaxing on the water with a cooler of beer or a few tropical cocktails can make for a nice afternoon, trying to operate a boat while drunk can get you arrested. Police have become far stricter about enforcing BUI laws recently.

Simple Assault and Domestic Violence

Minor assaults that do not involve serious injuries or weapons are usually misdemeanor offenses. Things like pushing, grabbing, or slapping someone can result in assault charges. The only real difference between assault and domestic violence is the relationship between the victim and the defendant. If the defendant and victim are related, live together, or have been romantically involved, the charge may be elevated to domestic violence.

Public Intoxication

It is not illegal to simply be drunk while in public, or most people leaving bars on a Friday night would be promptly arrested. However, you can be charged with the misdemeanor offense of public intoxication if you become unreasonably disruptive or if you are so intoxicated that you are a hazard to yourself, others around you, or property.

Minor Marijuana Possession

Although many states have legalized cannabis for recreational use, Tennessee is not one of them. There is an extremely limited medical exception for people with seizure disorders, who can use low-THC products. If you do not fall under that exception, having even a very small amount of marijuana is considered misdemeanor drug possession.

Order of Protection Violations

Violating an order of protection, even in a very minor and technical way, can get you charged with a crime. Simply responding to a message from the protected party or getting too close to their workplace is enough to get you charged with this offense.

Contact a Misdemeanor Crimes Lawyer in Knoxville, TN

The Baker Law Firm is dedicated to providing the best representation possible to people charged with misdemeanor offenses. To get the representation you need, contact us at 865-200-4117 for a complimentary consultation.