Get the Legal Representation You Need to Fight Your Criminal Case in Shreveport
Facing serious criminal charges can be overwhelming. However, having the right legal representation from the start can help. From the moment you become aware of the charges against you, you need someone by your side to navigate the complex legal process and to advocate for your rights.
Lee Harville has decades of experience representing clients in all types of state criminal cases. Regardless of the charges you are facing, Lee can help. Questions like whether to cooperate with an investigation, speak to the police, or testify before a grand jury can be daunting. In these uncertain times, you need an experienced attorney to assist you, speak on your behalf, and negotiate with the government throughout every stage of your case.
Experienced Defense Counsel for All Types of State Criminal Charges
Lee represents clients who are facing all types of state criminal charges in Shreveport and the surrounding areas. Whether you are facing charges as a first-time or repeat offender, he can use his experience to defend you. Lee represents clients in cases involving charges, including (but not limited to):
- Assault, battery, and other violent offenses
- Domestic violence offenses
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Drug offenses (including possession, cultivation, and distribution)
- Fraud offenses (including check fraud and credit card fraud)
- Murder and manslaughter
- Sexual assault, rape, and other sex offenses
- Theft offenses (including shoplifting and robbery)
- Trespassing, stalking, and other similar offenses (both in person and online)
- Weapons offenses (including illegal possession and use in the commission of other crimes)
These crimes—and others—all carry serious penalties under Louisiana law. The specific penalties you are facing depend on the facts of your case. When you hire Shreveport criminal defense lawyer Lee Harville to represent you, he will explain the penalties (and other consequences) you are facing so that you can make an informed decision about the time, effort, and resources you devote to your case.
Options for Avoiding Unnecessary Consequences After an Arrest in Louisiana
If you have been arrested in Louisiana, this does not mean you are guilty. To secure a conviction, prosecutors must be able to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—and they must be able to do so within the confines of the law. From insufficient evidence to violations of your constitutional rights, you may have a variety of defenses available. You may also have various options for seeking to favorably resolve your case without going to trial.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, your options for seeking to avoid unnecessary consequences after being arrested in Louisiana include:
Pre-Trial Diversion
If you are eligible for pre-trial diversion, you may be able to avoid a conviction regardless of whether you broke the law. Participating in a pre-trial diversion program involves committing to meet certain requirements, similar to being on probation. But, whereas probation comes after you have been convicted, successfully completing a pre-trial diversion program allows you to avoid the life-altering consequences of a state crime conviction.
Plea Deal Negotiations
If you are not eligible for pre-trial diversion and you do not have strong defenses available, seeking a plea deal could be your best option under the circumstances at hand. Accepting a plea deal involves pleading guilty to a crime—so this is not a decision you should take lightly. But if a favorable plea deal is on the table, accepting a plea deal could allow you to minimize the consequences of your arrest.
Pre-Trial Dismissal
Before you focus on targeting a plea deal, you will want to find out if you have grounds to pursue pre-trial dismissal of the state’s charges against you. State criminal charges may be subject to pre-trial dismissal on various grounds, from insufficient evidence of guilt to police and prosecutorial misconduct. When you hire Lee to represent you, he will thoroughly evaluate all potential grounds for seeking to have your charges dismissed without a trial.
“Not Guilty” Verdict at Trial
If you aren’t eligible for pre-trial diversion, if seeking a plea deal isn’t a viable option, and if you don’t have grounds to secure a pre-trial dismissal, then fighting to avoid unnecessary consequences will involve taking your case to trial. Lee is an experienced trial attorney who is fully prepared to fight for his clients’ freedom in court when necessary.
Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief
Lee has extensive experience representing clients on appeal and in post-conviction relief proceedings. If you are unable to secure a favorable outcome at trial, Lee can use his experience to immediately challenge the outcome of your case through all appropriate means.
Why Choose Shreveport Criminal Defense Lawyer Lee Harville
Whether charges are brought through a bill of information or an indictment, Lee Harville has the experience and the skill to negotiate with prosecutors and law enforcement effectively. He can review charges and evidence promptly, challenge improper evidence gathering, and work toward getting your case dismissed or charges reduced whenever possible.
With experience trying murder charges, robbery charges, drug cases, and more, Lee can help select the right jury, challenge government witnesses, and present a compelling defense that tells your story persuasively.
Even in the event of a conviction, Lee will help you prepare for sentencing, employing sympathetic and compelling arguments that seek to minimize potential sentences. With a record of success in both trials and negotiations, Lee Harville is prepared to stand by you from the beginning to the end of your case.
FAQs: Defending Against State Criminal Charges in Louisiana
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, a felony is defined as “any crime for which an offender may be sentenced to death or imprisonment at hard labor.” A misdemeanor is defined as “any crime other than a felony.” Broadly, felonies are more serious than misdemeanors. However, having any criminal conviction on your record can negatively impact your life in numerous ways—and this makes it critical to defend yourself by all means available, regardless of the specific charge (or charges) you are facing.
What do I do if the police or parish authorities want to talk to me?
If the police or parish authorities want to talk to you, you should inform them that you are exercising your right to remain silent and your right to legal counsel. You should then politely ask to talk to a lawyer immediately. Exercising your legal rights does not make you look guilty, and it is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself if you are at risk of facing criminal charges.
Can I get my record expunged?
Whether you are (or will become) eligible to file for expungement depends on the charge (or charges) against you and the outcome of your case. While some convictions are eligible for expungement in Louisiana, others are not.
If you are eligible to have your record expunged, you will need to carefully navigate the expungement process in order to have your record cleared. Due to the complexity of this process, working closely with an experienced lawyer is strongly recommended.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Shreveport State Criminal Defense Lawyer Lee Harville Today
If you’re facing criminal charges, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us today to see how Lee can provide the guidance and representation you need during this challenging time. Call 318-222-1700 or send us a message online to schedule a confidential consultation as soon as possible.