FAQ

No. It is true that a deal may be worked out in exchange for a guilty plea in some cases; however, it is also important to know that police officers can lie to you in order to elicit information or a confession. With this being said, it is crucial that you do not confess or deny anything until you can speak with a legal representative.

No. As a U.S. citizen, you have rights to protection from unlawful search and seizure, which means that officials must have your consent or a warrant in order to search your person as well as places such as your car, home, or office.

Depending on your case and the way that your attorney approaches the case. If you and your attorney are able to reach a resolution through negotiations before trial, that you may not have to go to court. But if a remedy cannot be reached than you will have to go to trial. There are times that a case is dismissed before trial so there is a chance that your will not have to appear in court.

If you have been charged with a crime or are being questioned by the police, then you need a lawyer. In order to fight for your rights and you have a right to counsel. Do not try to fight against your charges alone, team up with a skilled Memphis criminal attorney from our firm for assistance in your case.

Police do not necessarily need a warrant for an arrest. As long as they have "probable cause" or good reason to believe that you committed a crime, they can make an arrest. There is an exception to this; however, and that is if the person is at their home and it is a nonserious offense. As long as there is no risk that the person can destroy evidence or harm the public, they cannot be arrested in their home without a warrant.

Many people believe this to be true, but they do not actually have to read you your rights. If they start to question you; however, and have not read you your rights then they cannot use what you say as evidence at trial. For them to use what you say as evidence against you in trial, they must read you your "Miranda" rights, which include rights to remain silent, right to a lawyer, etc.

Drunk driving is not determined by the amount of drinks that you consume. The determination of driving under the influence is made by testing the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of the driver. If you had a BAC of .08% or above then you may be charged for driving under the influence even if you only had one drink.

Felonies are more serious convictions than misdemeanors. Generally, the distinction is made based on the potential penalties of the crime. A crime is usually charged as a felony if it is punishable by a year or more in jail while a misdemeanor is commonly punishable by one year or less in jail. Read more here.

The grand jury makes the decision if there is enough evidence to indict a suspect and pursue in the criminal proceedings. Indictment is the process of charging a suspect for a crime and the grand jury will decide if there is sufficient evidence to do so. They do not make guilty or innocent decisions, just determinations regarding evidence in a case.

A criminal sentence may include restitution for the victims involved in the case. Restitution is a payment made to the victims for the losses they have suffered. It can include damage to property, medical costs, funeral costs, etc. This is a way to compensate the victim for their pain and suffering.

A prosecutor represents the federal or state government in a case. They are the attorney arguing against the defendant. They have the duty to punish people who have committed crimes but also to act fairly when in trial.