Have you been arrested or charged with a crime in Bullitt County, KY? A proactive and aggressive defense is key to the outcome of your case. A Bullitt County criminal defense lawyer at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can fight to protect your legal rights. Contact us today at (502) 371-7000.
We know the stakes are high when you’re facing criminal charges. We’ve been fighting for clients facing criminal charges for almost two decades–and we’ll do everything we can to safeguard your future.
Don’t wait to take action. Whether you’re under investigation or have already been charged, contact our law offices to schedule a free consultation today.
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How Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help if You Were Arrested on Criminal Charges in Bullitt County
When you’re arrested on criminal charges, it might be hard to remember the constitution guarantees you’re innocent until proven guilty. Sometimes, it might seem like the deck is stacked against you. Police and prosecutors know the criminal justice system inside and out. After all, they handle cases like yours every day.
You deserve a Bullitt County criminal defense lawyer who understands the system just as well.
When you trust our lawyers at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers to protect your interests, you’ll have a lawyer who will:
- Go over your case with a fine-tooth comb to identify any constitutional violations
- Move to have any illegally obtained evidence thrown out
- Develop a custom-tailored defense strategy keyed to the facts of your case
- Negotiate with prosecutors to get your charges reduced or dropped if possible
- Help you understand all of your legal options as they arise
You might be tempted to retain a public defender. Keep in mind that public defenders are often overworked–and likely won’t have the resources to dedicate to your case. At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, we’re committed to providing the strongest possible defense for every client we take on.
If you’re wondering whether you need a criminal defense attorney, the odds are strong that you do. All you have to do is call our law firm to schedule a free consultation to learn about your options. Our team is here to listen to your side of the story–and to make sure your legal rights are protected throughout the entire criminal process.
We Handle All Types of Criminal Defense Matters in Kentucky
Criminal charges can change your life in an instant. Once people learn you’ve been arrested and charged, they might start to treat you differently–it might even seem like your family and friends are turning on you.
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, we’re here to help minimize the fallout. Our lawyers are dedicated to providing the strong, aggressive advocacy you need if you’ve been accused of a crime.
We handle all types of criminal matters in Bullitt County, including:
- DUI/DWI
- Domestic violence
- Drug crimes
- Possession of marijuana
- Sex crimes
- Assault
- Healthcare fraud
- Counterfeiting
- Federal crimes
- Felonies
- misdemeanors
- Homicide
- Theft crimes
- Shoplifting
- Juvenile crimes
- Restraining orders
- White collar crimes
- Traffic tickets
- And more
Local law enforcement officials in Kentucky take all criminal matters seriously. Whether you’ve been accused of a misdemeanor or felony, you need a strong defense attorney by your side. Our attorneys in Bullitt County are here to help you make informed choices while we fight the charges against you.
For example, if a plea deal is on the table, you might not know whether to take the deal or face trial. The prosecution might even try to scare you into accepting a plea when they don’t have the evidence required to convict. Our lawyers will help you make smart choices along the way.
Are you ready to learn more about what our experienced criminal defense team can do for you? Give us a call today to schedule a free case review with someone who can help.
What are the Penalties for a Criminal Conviction in Bullitt County, Kentucky?
The penalties for committing a crime in Kentucky depend on how the crime is graded. Criminal offenses in Kentucky are grouped into two primary classes: misdemeanors and felonies.
The potential penalties can also be more serious for repeat offenders. Any conviction will become a part of your permanent criminal record. If it can’t be expunged, you’ll have to disclose the conviction when applying for jobs, housing, and even college or university.
Penalties for a Felony Conviction in Bullitt County, Kentucky
If you’re convicted of a felony in Kentucky, you could be facing a substantial prison sentence. The following general sentencing guidelines apply under Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. Section 532.060:
- Class A Felony: No less than 20 years in prison, with a maximum potential sentence of life in prison
- Class B Felony: Between 10 years and 20 years in prison
- Class C Felony: Between 5 years and 10 years in prison
- Class D Felony: Between 1 year and 5 years in prison
A felony conviction can haunt you for years after you’re released from prison. Not only will you face potential financial penalties of up to $10,000, but you could also be required to complete a period of post-incarceration supervision.
Repeat offenders can also face enhanced penalties under Kentucky law. The penalty will depend upon the nature of the past and current offenses, as well as the number of offenses involved. Mandatory minimum sentencing requirements might also apply in cases involving violent crimes or DUIs.
Penalties for a Misdemeanor Conviction
Misdemeanors charges usually apply when a crime is considered to be less serious than a felony-level offense. However, that doesn’t mean you should take a misdemeanor charge lightly. Conviction for a misdemeanor offense will go on your criminal record–and can come back to haunt you if you get in trouble with the law in the future.
Penalties for misdemeanor offenses can include serving jail time in the local or county jail. The exact amount of time will depend on the offense involved. Class A misdemeanors carry between 90 days and 12 months in jail. You’ll also be required to pay a fine of up to $500 if convicted.
Examples of Class A misdemeanors include:
- Cultivating fewer than four marijuana plants
- Theft crimes where the value of the stolen goods is less than $500
- Driving with a suspended license after a DUI (second offense)
- Promoting prostitution
Class B misdemeanors carry a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $250 fine. Some examples of Class B misdemeanors include:
- Driving with a suspended license after a DUI (first offense)
- Prostitution
- Resisting arrest
- Certain types of harassment
Kentucky law also provides for a subset of the Class B misdemeanor for crimes that are perceived as less serious. You might face up to 45 days in jail for possession of a small amount of marijuana, for example.
Statute of Limitations in Misdemeanor Cases
Prosecutors only have a limited amount of time to file misdemeanor charges against you. While no time limits apply in felony cases, Kentucky law gives prosecutors only one year to prosecute. In juvenile cases, the prosecutors have five years from the date the minor reaches age 18 to prosecute.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of a Crime?
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, our attorneys will carefully evaluate every aspect of your case to make sure we uncover every possible defense. We never take a cookie-cutter approach to criminal defense matters. Instead, we put in the work to custom-tailor your defense to the particular facts and circumstances of your case.
Our primary job is to poke holes in the prosecution’s case. We’ll start building your defense as soon as you call us. In some cases, we might even be able to weaken the prosecutor’s case enough that they’ll downgrade or drop the charges entirely.
Examples of potential defense strategies that our lawyers might explore in your case include:
- Lack of probable cause
- Illegally obtained evidence
- Challenges to witness credibility
- Police bias
- Lack of evidence
- Constitutional violations
- Alibi
- Mistaken identity
- Problems with forensic evidence
The prosecutor is required to prove every element of your criminal charge beyond a reasonable doubt. At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, our Bullitt County criminal defense attorneys will make that as difficult as possible. We have years of experience handling cases like yours–and we know the types of evidence judges and juries take seriously.
Kentucky criminal laws give judges a wide range of discretion in determining how much jail time you’ll face. Prosecutors also have discretion in charging you with a crime in the first place. The skill of your criminal defense team can be critical to minimizing the consequences of an arrest or conviction.
Interested in learning more about how our criminal lawyers can help protect your future? Call our offices today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Bullitt County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Were you or a loved one arrested or charged with a crime in Bullitt County? Don’t leave your defense to chance. Call an experienced Bullitt County criminal defense lawyer at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers today. Your initial consultation is always 100% free, so there’s no risk in getting the legal advice you deserve.