Jefferson County, KY, Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been arrested and accused of a crime in Kentucky, you face grave consequences, as prosecutors will immediately begin gathering evidence to build a case against you. A conviction brings fines, probation, jail time, and a criminal record that stays with you forever. Having a record can ruin prospects for education and a career and keep you from obtaining benefits such as a student loan, a professional license, and housing and immigration benefits; family and social relationships can be ruined as well.

Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming, but with the proper guidance and legal representation, you still have hope. An experienced Kentucky criminal defense lawyer can handle your case in a manner that helps increase the chances of a favorable outcome.

The Jefferson County criminal defense lawyers at Church Langdon Lopp Banet Law firm (CLLB) know the courts, the intricacies of the criminal justice system, and the tactics prosecutors use to get a conviction. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can gather evidence to build your case and prevent you from making mistakes that can be used against you. When you retain our firm, we take care of all legal requirements, court appearances, and negotiations, build the best defense possible and aggressively fight for your rights and your freedom.

Why Choose Our Jefferson County, Kentucky, Criminal Defense Lawyer

Not all criminal lawyers are equal, and having the right one can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Here are some reasons why we believe you should select our Jefferson County criminal defense attorneys:

• We have the necessary experience. Attorney Marc Tawfik’s focus is on trial work and criminal defense, and our Jefferson County attorneys have successfully defended clients against misdemeanor and felony charges ranging from DUI and drug offenses to robbery and possession of stolen property. We have built relationships with judges, prosecutors, and court personnel, so we know how to work with them and can anticipate and address challenges that may arise.
• We provide a personalized approach. We understand that every criminal case is unique, and we treat you with the individual attention you deserve.
• We know how to investigate and build your case.  Our attorneys thoroughly investigate the details surrounding your case, gathering evidence, such as from crime scene photos and videos, laboratory and police reports, and interviews with witnesses, to build a strong defense. By conducting our own investigation, we can determine whether evidence was improperly obtained, which may exclude it from consideration.
• We know how to negotiate. Our attorneys look for legal arguments that may result in charges being dropped or reduced and work with prosecutors to explore alternatives to trial, such as reduced charges or plea bargains, when appropriate and desired.
• We know how to advocate for you in the courtroom. If your case does proceed to trial, we will vigorously fight for your rights, present a compelling defense, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses to cast doubt on their credibility.

How Our Jefferson County Criminal Defense Attorneys Work for You

Although the law states that you are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, once accused, people are often treated as if already convicted. The prosecution wants to get a conviction, and will use all the evidence possible to support its claim and minimize the defendant’s constitutional rights to make this happen. When you retain our Jefferson County criminal defense attorneys, we will get to work immediately to make sure you are protected.  We will:

• Meet with you to hear your version of why you are accused of the alleged crime
• Determine the best way to respond to charges and handle the accusations
• Inform you of your rights and ensure police and prosecutors adhere to proper procedures
• Prevent you from making common mistakes and from saying or doing anything that would negatively affect your case
• Appear in court on your behalf and handle bail and arraignment
• Build a strong defense by examining the crime scene, gathering evidence to show your innocence, interviewing witnesses, examining police and lab reports, and looking for weaknesses and mistakes in the prosecutor’s case
• Conduct our own investigation to determine whether evidence was improperly obtained, which may exclude it from consideration, and challenge any evidence that was improperly obtained or handled
• Negotiate with prosecutors and handle plea bargains for a lesser charge or dismissal of charges
• Take your case to trial and advocate on your behalf to convince a jury that there is reasonable doubt that you committed the crime
• File an appeal if necessary.

At Church Langdon Lopp Banet Law, we believe you deserve strong legal representation, no matter what type of charges you are facing. Our Jefferson County criminal defense attorneys will strive to negotiate a plea bargain agreement that may allow you to avoid jail time, or at least reduce it, if you feel that is your best option. If you go to trial, we can tell your side of the story to the judge and jury, expose the prosecution’s case and witnesses as unreliable and untrustworthy, and provide evidence as to why there should be reasonable doubt.

Jefferson County Criminal Defense Attorney Explains Defenses

Depending on the individual circumstances of your situation, there are several approaches that our Jefferson County criminal defense lawyers may take to defend you. In general, criminal defense strategies attempt to challenge the validity and sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence.  Examples include:

Standard criminal defenses. These may include constitutional violations of your rights, such as illegal search and seizure of your home, car, clothing, or person; failure to obtain a warrant for entry; obtaining an improper confession; or failure to have your “Miranda Rights” read at the time of the arrest. When these violations occur, evidence illegally obtained may be suppressed, or your case may even be dismissed.

Alibi or affirmative defenses. You may have an alibi that proves you were somewhere else at the time of the offense. With an affirmative defense, you admit to the court that you committed a charged crime, but explain how your actions were justified under the circumstances.  Some affirmative defenses are:

• Self-defense, or defense of others or of property, in cases of crimes like assault, battery, and murder, where violence was justified to respond to violent actions or the threat of violent actions coming from the victim
• Entrapment, if police induced you to commit a crime that, under ordinary circumstances, you would never have committed
• Mistaken identity, if there is evidence that you were mistaken for someone else
• Insanity, if it can be proven that you were suffering a severe mental disease or defect at the time the crime was committed
• Lack of sufficient evidence, if the prosecution lacks enough evidence to prove the guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Our attorneys may challenge the reliability of witness testimony, the credibility of evidence, or the legality of the search and seizure procedures.

Criminal Defense Attorneys in Jefferson County, KY, Explain Your Rights

Both the United States and the state of Kentucky provide constitutional protections to individuals who have been arrested and taken into custody for questioning for being suspected of having committed a crime or offense. One of your first rights is to ask for an attorney who can make sure you are treated properly and help you avoid making mistakes that can give prosecutors a better case. Important rights you should be aware of include:

• To be read your Miranda rights informing you that you have the right to remain silent and not answer questions and that anything said can and will be used against you.
• To be shown an arrest warrant authorizing arrest and told what the criminal charges are. You can only be arrested without a warrant if the police have probable cause to believe you committed a crime.
• To call your attorney or family and have your attorney present during questioning or a line up.
• To have the court appoint an attorney if you cannot afford one.
• To have reasonable bail and a speedy trial.

The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. constitution provides the right to be free from government compelled self-incrimination and the right to be free from multiple prosecutions or multiple punishments for a single criminal offense.

The Sixth Amendment provides the right to refuse to testify, and the opportunity to see, hear, and confront the witnesses against you.

Our Jefferson County criminal defense attorneys will design a defense strategy to protect your legal rights and look for legal arguments that may result in charges being dropped or reduced.

Jefferson County, KY, Criminal Defense Lawyers Handle Felonies and Misdemeanors

Crimes in Kentucky are categorized as misdemeanors or felonies. While felonies carry greater punishments and fines, even a misdemeanor conviction will give you a criminal record and may also mean imprisonment and fines

Felony Offenses

Conviction of a felony means one year to life in prison, supervised probation, fines, and a black mark that will prevent your hiring for most professional jobs and that will restrict many benefits. Most felonies in Kentucky are designated as Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, with murder and level 1 the most serious offenses.

Each felony level specifies a sentencing range. Level 1 felonies are punishable by 20 to 40 years’ imprisonment, while Level 6 felonies carry a sentence of 6 months to 2 ½ years’ imprisonment.   Murder brings three possible sentences — a fixed sentence of 45 to 55 years’ imprisonment, a life sentence without parole, or the death penalty.

Misdemeanor Offenses

Misdemeanors are considered less severe than a felony, but still bring strong punishments and a criminal record. Misdemeanors are punished by up to a year in jail and designated as Class A, B, or C, with Class A the most serious.

Call our Jefferson County, Kentucky, Criminal Defense Attorney for Help

You only get one chance to put your best foot forward and make the strongest possible argument in your defense, so entrusting your defense to a knowledgeable and skilled criminal defense lawyer who can anticipate the prosecutor’s moves and effectively counter a prosecutor’s arguments is crucial. At Church Langdon Lopp Banet Law, we have the understanding of the local courts and criminal justice system that enables us to anticipate and address potential challenges that may arise during your defense. This gives us an edge in building a strong defense strategy tailored to the crime and the specific jurisdiction in which your case is being heard.

Rest assured that our Jefferson County criminal defense lawyers will put every effort possible into the success of your case, whether negotiating a favorable plea agreement or achieving a not-guilty verdict at trial.

Do not leave your future to chance. Call us at (812) 725-8224 today and let us start fighting for your rights and freedom.

Attorney Marc Tawfik

Marc is a Kentucky native, having lived and worked in the state the majority of his life. He is a licensed attorney in Kentucky and Indiana, and his focus is on trial work, including civil litigation and criminal defense. He has represented a wide variety of clients, and he is committed to putting his clients’ needs first. [ Attorney Bio ]