Jefferson City Criminal Defense Attorney

Lawyer for DUI, Assaults, Sex Crimes & More in Jefferson City, TN

Getting arrested can be a shock, especially if you have never been in trouble with the law before. A normal day can very quickly turn into a night - or more - in jail when something goes wrong. You might have made a split-second decision that the police decided was in violation of the law, or you may have thought that something you were doing was not so serious, only to find yourself facing felony charges. The police probably made you feel like you had already been found guilty, even if you have a strong defense.

If you are facing criminal charges, The Baker Law Firm can help. attorney Lance K. Baker has experience representing people charged with all types of offenses, from DUI to domestic violence to rape. While you might feel like you have been backed into a corner, there are many ways to fight back with the help of our firm.

Jefferson City, TN Trial Attorney

You have the right to take your case to trial and let a jury of your peers decide whether you have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Judges see hundreds of cases on a weekly basis. These cases may start to bleed together in a judge's mind, causing some to become quick to assume that any defendant brought before them is guilty. Juries are comprised of ordinary citizens who have no such biases - and we can help take steps to reject jurors that may be biased.

At trial, you can raise any legal defenses you might have or present evidence suggesting that you did not commit the crime. Possible defenses we might use if your case goes to trial include:

• Self-defense - If you are accused of assault, domestic violence, or more serious violent crimes like manslaughter or murder, we may argue that you were reasonably defending yourself.
• You have an alibi - People are sometimes arrested for crimes they did not commit due to mistaken identity. If we can show that you were somewhere else when the crime happened and could not have done it, you are unlikely to be convicted. This commonly happens in burglary or sexual assault cases.

Other defenses are specific to the type of crime committed. For example, if you are charged with DUI, you might be able to argue that you did not become intoxicated voluntarily but instead had your drink spiked.

Pretrial Motions That Lead to Dismissal

Sometimes, we may file a motion before trial to have certain pieces of evidence excluded from court. If the evidence thrown out is important enough, your case might be dismissed for lack of evidence. In DUI cases, this may happen if your blood or breath test is ruled invalid and cannot be used against you.

Showing that the police gained certain evidence by violating your constitutional rights, such as by conducting a warrantless search, can also lead to evidence being dismissed. This sometimes happens in drug crime cases, where police search people or their homes based on a "feeling" without legal grounds to conduct the search.

Plea Bargaining

If it appears that conviction is inevitable, or if the risk of going to trial is too great, accepting a plea bargain may be your best option. The state is often willing to let a defendant plead guilty to an offense that is less serious than the crime they were initially charged with to avoid going to trial. This can turn a felony into a misdemeanor. In these cases, you will know which charge will appear on your record, and you will have a better idea of the kind of sentence you will face.

Defense Against Criminal Charges in Jefferson City

In addition to the types of cases mentioned above, we can provide representation against criminal charges such as:

• First-Time DUI
• Second or Subsequent DUI
• DUI With Injury
• Out of State DUI
• DWI
• BUI
• Drug Possession
• Drug Trafficking
• Drug Manufacturing
• Orders of Protection
• Weapons Violations
• Kidnapping
• Sex Crimes
• Rape
• Child Pornography
• Online Solicitation of a Minor
• Federal Crimes
• Traffic Violations
• College Student Crimes
• Juvenile Crimes
• Public Intoxication
• Underage Intoxication
• White Collar Crimes

We can also help address asset forfeiture to recover money or property that has been seized by law enforcement, and we can assist with expungements.

Contact a Jefferson City, TN Criminal Defense Attorney

The Baker Law Firm is dedicated to providing the best criminal defense services available. Experienced Jefferson City criminal defense attorney Lance K. Baker will tailor his representation to your needs and preferences and to the circumstances of your individual case. Contact us at 865-200-4117 for a complimentary consultation.