SHREVEPORT MISDEMEANOR LAWYER

Shreveport Misdemeanor Defense Attorney

Misdemeanor crimes may not be as severe as felony offenses, but they can still impact your life for years following your arrest. Following an arrest for a misdemeanor, contact the Shreveport criminal defense lawyers at the Greenwald Law Firm immediately.

Joseph Greenwald and his team of attorneys have years of experience in all types of criminal cases, including misdemeanor offenses. When you choose Attorney Greenwald as your representation, you can trust that your legal rights will be protected and that your legal team will work diligently to get your charges lowered, dropped, or dismissed so that you can move forward with your life and leave your criminal case behind you.

To schedule a free consultation with a top Shreveport criminal defense attorney, call the Greenwald Law Firm at 318-219-7867 today.

What is a Misdemeanor?

According to Louisiana law, misdemeanors are criminal offenses that are not considered a felony and cannot be punished by hard labor, death, fines over $1,000, or jail time greater than one year.

While many states categorize misdemeanors into classes based on the severity of the criminal offense, Louisiana does not. Instead, misdemeanors are simply any crime that doesn’t result in time in state prison. The penalties one can face for a misdemeanor offense will be dependent on the crime committed and the severity of the offense.

Since all criminal offenses can be considered a misdemeanor (more on that below), you’ll need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you against these charges. Your Shreveport criminal defense attorney from the Greenwald Law Firm will work diligently to achieve the most favorable results in the courtroom.

Examples of Misdemeanor Charges in Louisiana

In Louisiana, misdemeanors cover a wide range of different criminal charges. The most common misdemeanor offenses that our criminal defense lawyers have handled at the Greenwald Law Firm include the following:

• Driving while intoxicated (DWI) – first offense
• Underage drinking
• Domestic violence
• Drug possession of marijuana – first offense
• Drug paraphernalia possession
• Battery
• Assault
• Disorderly conduct
• Hit and run
• Reckless driving
• Criminal trespass
• Criminal mischief
• Illegally carrying weapons
• Theft crimes valued under $1,000
• Prostitution – first offense

The criminal charges listed above are just some of the offenses that can be considered misdemeanors in Shreveport, LA. If you’ve been arrested on a misdemeanor offense, contact the North Louisiana criminal defense attorneys at the Greenwald Law Firm to begin building a solid defense against your charges.

Potential Penalties for Louisiana Misdemeanors

The penalties following a misdemeanor conviction can result in jail time for up to one year and fines of up to $1,000. Misdemeanor penalties can also vary depending on additional crimes charged and a person’s criminal history. If you’ve been convicted of multiple misdemeanors, you may face felony charges resulting in longer prison sentences and fines. 

While the punishment for a misdemeanor criminal offense may not sound serious, the criminal charge can follow you for the rest of your life. Anytime someone performs a background check, the misdemeanor offense will show up and can prevent you from being hired at a dream job, owning a home, or being approved for a loan. 

When facing a possible conviction following a misdemeanor charge, you must take the criminal case seriously and obtain an experienced Shreveport criminal defense attorney to fight the charges against you.

What You Should Do Following a Misdemeanor Arrest

Following your arrest for a misdemeanor, it’s essential to tread lightly. Like the criminal television shows remind us, what you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. After your arrest, it’s crucial to remember the points listed below that can help protect yourself and your impending criminal case:

• Contact Joseph Greenwald at the Greenwald Law Firm as soon as possible.
• Be polite and courteous with law enforcement and comply with requests within reason.
• Remember anyone that was present during the alleged crime, as they can be potential witnesses.
• You do have the right to remain silent, and you can exercise that right. Any questions like your name and address are fine to answer but do not answer anything regarding the alleged crime. It’s imperative that you wait until your attorney is present.

What Not to Do Following a Misdemeanor Arrest

While it’s important to remember the suggestions above, we’ll list what NOT to do after a misdemeanor arrest. If you do anything listed below, your criminal case can be severely damaged, making it difficult for your criminal defense lawyers to get your charges lowered, dropped, or dismissed:

• Discuss the alleged crime with the police. While it’s important to cooperate with the police, do not admit to anything regarding the crime or try to argue your charges. If you try to argue with the police, you may face more severe charges and other penalties. We can’t stress enough that anything you say can be used against you in court.
• Wave legal council and represent yourself. Even though misdemeanors are lesser criminal offenses, the penalties can still be severe. The legal process is extremely complex, especially in Louisiana, so you need an experienced criminal defense attorney that understands criminal law representing you. Your attorney from the Greenwald Law Firm will protect your rights and do whatever it takes to get your charges dropped or dismissed.
• Talk about your case with anyone. Your criminal defense attorney will tell you who you can and cannot discuss your case with.

Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney for Misdemeanor Charges?

Even though the penalties for a misdemeanor criminal case are less severe than a felony offense, you still need an experienced attorney on your side in the courtroom. When those accused of criminal charges don’t obtain legal representation, they’re much more likely to be charged with the maximum penalties that the crime warrants.

While you may not think you need an attorney for a misdemeanor crime, an attorney understands the complexities surrounding the legal system. They can negotiate with the prosecution regarding your charges in ways that you aren’t able to, which can result in lesser sentencing, community service, dropped charges, or dismissed charges.

How a Shreveport Criminal Defense Lawyer From Greenwald Law Firm Can Help

As soon as you’ve been arrested on misdemeanor charges, contact the criminal defense lawyers at the Greenwald Law Firm. The sooner you make the call, the sooner they can begin helping you with your defense and navigating the legal process.

You must have your attorney present during questioning so they can inform you of what you can and cannot say to the police regarding the alleged crime. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys understand the tricks law enforcement uses. They will guide you through questions to avoid accidentally making a statement that can be used against you later.

Call Today To Set Up Your Initial Consultation and Learn More About Your Legal Options

If you’ve been arrested in Shreveport, LA on misdemeanor charges, contact top criminal defense attorney Joseph Greenwald at the Greenwald Law Firm. Our attorneys have been helping clients in Shreveport, Bossier City, and the surrounding areas with various criminal charges ranging from petty crimes to felony offenses. Our law firm also handles personal injury cases, premise liability cases, car accidents, and more. No matter what type of legal representation you need, whether it’s personal injury or criminal offenses, you can count on the Greenwald Law Firm.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced criminal defense lawyers, call the Greenwald Law Firm at 318-219-7867 or reach out online today.