Criminal Defense Attorneys in Opelika, Alabama
A criminal conviction can subject you to fines, jail time and the loss of many rights and privileges, such as the ability to own or possess a firearm, serve in the military or obtain a professional license. Just being arrested can damage your position at work or in the community, or cause problems at home. At The Alsobrook Law Group, our criminal defense attorneys are by your side from the very start, providing strong and effective advocacy designed to achieve the very best outcome possible in your case.
Fighting for a fair trial with all available defenses
In any criminal trial, it is the prosecutor’s job to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed every element of the crime. While this may sound like a heavy burden, prosecutors have the advantage of a huge amount of resources at their disposal to build a case, as well as the tendency of most people to assume that a person who has been arrested and put on trial is guilty. We utilize our own skills and resources to level the playing field, looking out for your rights at every step of the process and putting forward all available defenses to the best of our ability. Where the state’s case is vulnerable or weak, we work to make sure the judge and jury see and understand the prosecution’s shortcomings.
We take the time to work with you and conduct our own investigation to make sure we fully understand your situation, and that you fully appreciate it as well. We advise you on your options and enter into plea negotiations or take your case to trial according to your desire to obtain the best results under the circumstances.
Lawyers who go above and beyond: DMV driver’s license suspension hearings for DUI
An arrest for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) leads to a suspension of your driver’s license – 90 days for a first offense. Your license is suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in a proceeding which is wholly separate from any criminal proceeding. In fact, even if you are never convicted in a court of DUI, you can still have your license suspended. There is a process by which you can challenge the suspension before the DMV, but you have to request a hearing within ten days of your arrest.
Most Auburn and Opelika criminal defense lawyers focus only on the criminal proceeding and do not fight the license suspension in a DMV hearing. However, at Alsobrook Law, we understand that having a driver’s license may be essential to keeping a job or meeting household and family responsibilities. We take the extra step of representing clients in DMV hearings and may be able to keep your license from being suspended or having points accumulate on the license.
Why Strong Legal Representation Matters When You Are Facing Criminal Charges in Opelika
Many people mistakenly believe that legal representation is only needed in felony cases. They believe that misdemeanor cases are something they can handle on their own. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Even a misdemeanor conviction can have serious and far-reaching consequences and can affect your life in more ways than you can imagine. For example, if you are convicted of a first-offense misdemeanor DUI, the penalties can include:
- Jail time (up to 12 months) or two years of probation.
- Fine – anywhere from $600 to $2,100 (apart from court costs).
- Installation of ignition interlock device (if the BAC was 0.15% or more or if you refused to submit to a breath test).
- Driver’s license suspension for 90 days (if you are a commercial driver, your license will be suspended for a period of one year).
- Mandatory SR-22 certificate of insurance for re-application of driver’s license.
- Mandatory participation in alcohol and substance abuse prevention programs.
- Possible denial or revocation of a professional license.
- Possible punitive damages (if you injured or killed someone while driving drunk).
- Restitution to the victim.
- Denial or termination of employment (particularly if your job requires you to have a valid driver’s license or if your employment contract has a ‘morals’ clause that prohibits drinking and driving).
Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Auburn and Lee County
If you have been arrested for a DUI, a sex crime, drug possession, theft, assault, or any felony or misdemeanor in Alabama state or federal court, your first call should be to an aggressive, effective criminal defense attorney.
Additionally, if you wish to clear your criminal record, we also help with expungement.
If you are arrested anywhere in Opelika, Auburn and throughout Lee County, contact Alsobrook Law Group for a free, confidential consultation about your arrest and how we can help.
We also assist with white collar crimes in Auburn.
Call us today at 334-737-3718 or contact us online.
