Oxford, MS Criminal Defense Lawyers
When you or a loved one has been charged with a crime in Mississippi, working with a skilled criminal defense attorney is a top priority. As soon as you are able, you should contact an attorney to discuss your rights and options.
At the office of Smith Murphy Law, our Mississippi criminal defense attorneys have years of experience and a successful track record of securing the best outcome possible for our clients. With so much on the line, you cannot afford to be without strong legal representation. You can trust us to fight for your legal rights and interests.
Our Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Our Mississippi criminal defense attorneys have experience representing clients facing a vast array of charges, as well as clients who are at different stages within the justice system. Types of charges and cases that we provide representation for include:
- Traffic offenses. Traffic offenses include multiple traffic violations, speeding, excessive speeding, reckless driving, and more. While most traffic violations are minor, having multiple traffic violations on your record can lead to more serious consequences, including license revocation in some cases.
- DUI. Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most serious types of traffic offenses in our state. A DUI conviction can result in jail, fines, a driver’s license sanction, and more—and that’s just for a first offense. If you are facing DUI/OUI charges, working with an attorney is essential.
- White-collar crimes. Many people mistakenly think that only violent offenses are harshly penalized in our state; this couldn’t be further from the truth. White-collar crimes, such as extortion, bribery, fraud, etc. are very serious in Mississippi and can result in serious fines and prison sentences.
- Expungement and record sealing. Expungement is the process of sealing a record so that it is no longer available to view by the public. Expungement is possible in most misdemeanor cases, some felony cases, and cases of arrest where there was no conviction/the charges were dropped.
- Drug charges. The state of Mississippi is tough on drug crimes, and many drug offenses carry mandatory minimum penalties. If you have been charged with a drug crime, your future could be up in the air. Hiring a skilled drug defense attorney as soon as possible is strongly recommended.
- Theft and petty theft. Stealing property, especially when that property is valued at more than $1,000, can result in serious charges. If a person is convicted of grand larceny (theft of property valued at $1,000 or more), they could face a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $10,000—longer if the property is valued over $5,000.
- Probation violation. Probation is a fantastic option for many convicted persons. Instead of spending their sentence behind bars, probation is an opportunity to re-enter society. But probation comes with many rules and regulations. If probation is violated, there is a risk of being sent back to prison or other penalties.
- Misdemeanor crimes. Misdemeanor crimes are penalized less harshly than are felony crimes, but they can still impact your future and your opportunities. Even if you’re only facing misdemeanor charges, it is in your interest to hire an attorney.
- Felony crimes. A felony criminal conviction can have a big impact on your life and is likely to result in prison time and other consequences.
- If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime that you don’t see listed above, please reach out to our law firm directly to learn more about whether we can help. If we aren’t able to assist you, we can point you to someone who can.
The Mississippi Criminal Justice Process
One of the best things about working with a criminal defense attorney when you’ve been charged with a crime is that our attorney will help you to understand the criminal justice process and what to expect along the way. While the process is much more nuanced, the following provides a brief overview:
- The first thing that will happen is an arrest. Police must have probable cause to make an arrest. At this time, you should be read your rights. You have the right to remain silent and hire an attorney.
- Pretrial Activities. Pretrial activities include various things, including your first appearance before the court, the preliminary hearing, the discovery process, and the opportunity to enter a plea bargain.
- The adjudication phase is where the jury trial begins. This also will include the jury selection process and the final jury determination.
- If you are found guilty, then the sentencing process is where the judge determines what the punishment for the crime will be.
- Corrections are the final piece of the process and may include serving a sentence, paying fines or fees, making restitution, engaging in community service, serving a probationary period, etc.
Why You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney When Facing Charges
When you are facing criminal charges, an attorney may be able to significantly improve the outcome of your case. An attorney will have relationships with the court and the prosecution, be able to review all of the evidence against you, will advocate for the protection of your Constitutional rights, will give you a professional opinion about whether you should accept a plea bargain, and will manage your defense before the court.
Call Smith Murphy Law Today to Get Started
If you have been charged with a crime or you are a family member of someone who is currently facing criminal charges, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure about how to proceed. At Smith Murphy Law, we can help. We know how much is at stake and how important qualified legal representation is.
To schedule your consultation with our Oxford, MS criminal defense attorneys today, please call our law office directly at 662-832-7879, send us a message telling us more about your case, or visit our law office in person. We can travel to your location.
