Lafayette Criminal Defense Lawyer

There are numerous types of criminal cases. Criminal offenses are generally categorized as violent crimes, offenses against a person, property crimes, or offenses that destroy or take property. In Louisiana, the violent crime rate was 549.3 per 100,000 inhabitants of the state in 2019, while the property crime rate was 3,162.0 per 100,000. This was a higher violent and property crime rate than in the U.S. overall.

In Lafayette, there was a violent crime rate of 524.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 4,304.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Whether you are charged with a violent crime or a property crime, it is essential that the criminal defense attorney you work with has the relevant experience to address it. This experience means your attorney is likely to have the resources needed to investigate the alleged offense, and they can better understand the types of defenses that may favorably resolve the case.

When you work with an experienced attorney, you are more likely to secure a beneficial outcome to your criminal defense case. At Stockstill Defense Firm, our team has over 25 years of criminal defense experience, and we have successfully managed some of the following types of cases:

• Drug Offenses: Drug offenses include possession of drug paraphernalia, drug possession, manufacturing, cultivation, and large-scale drug trafficking charges. The severity of the penalties for these offenses relies on the type of controlled substance in the crime, the categorization of that substance, and the amount of the drug that was involved in the offense.

  Possession of drugs for personal use is less severely charged than possession with the intent to distribute, but both can be very serious. Controlled substance laws often change, and it is crucial that your criminal defense lawyer be aware of the most recent laws and how they affect your case.

• Alcohol-Related Offenses: These offenses include driving under the influence (DUI) charges, public intoxication, and a minor in possession of alcohol.

  A DUI charge is exceptionally serious, especially if the offense resulted in an accident and harmed anyone. Repeated DUIs can increase the severity of the charges, and judges are less likely to be lenient.

  It is crucial that you work with a defense attorney who knows how to challenge faulty or unreliable DUI evidence. They can also determine if the officer had probable cause to pull over a driver. DUI convictions can lead to fines, jail time, and the loss of your license. Legal representation is crucial for successfully challenging these allegations.

• Environmental Crimes: Numerous environmental crimes are committed by individuals and companies, such as:
  • The improper disposal of hazardous waste
  • Unlawful emissions
  • Water pollution
  • Poaching
  • Habitat damage
  • Other illegal and/or undisclosed activities that harm the environment

  These offenses may be investigated and charged by state or federal agencies, depending on the regulations that were violated, the severity of the offense, and whether the offense crossed state lines.

• Healthcare Fraud: Charges of healthcare fraud can harm healthcare providers and institutions, impacting their reputation and leading to fines and/or jail time. Healthcare fraud offenses include:
  • Overbilling
  • Upcoding
  • Charging for individual services that should be charged together
  • Submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare or Medicaid
  • Receiving kickbacks or payments by referring patients to certain providers, medications, or other treatments

  Defending against these charges can be complex, and it is essential that your attorney has substantial experience in healthcare cases.

• Internet Crimes: Internet offenses and cybercrimes include identity theft, hacking, cyberstalking, and the distribution of illegal content. It is important that you get a strong defense against these offenses, which may be investigated and charged by state or federal agencies.
• Sex Offenses: Sex crimes range from indecent exposure to sexual assault. These offenses can have a significant impact on your personal and professional reputation, and a conviction can result in imprisonment, fines, and registration as a sex offender. A strong legal defense is absolutely crucial against these serious offenses.
• Violent Offenses: Violent criminal offenses are taken very seriously by prosecuting bodies, and they include battery, assault, robbery, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Many of these offenses are charged as felonies, which leads to more serious penalties, prison sentences, and larger fines.

  It is important that your attorney understands how to defend against charges of committing these offenses, such as self-defense, consent, mutual violence, and mistaken identity. They should also know how these may apply to your case.

• Homicide: Homicide charges are one of the most serious types of violent offenses. They include different degrees of murder as well as manslaughter and vehicular homicide. You need legal representation if you are facing these exceptionally serious charges. The right attorney could reduce the severity of your charges or even prevent a conviction in some cases.
• Federal Charges: Not every criminal defense attorney has experience in federal criminal defense, but it is essential that your attorney does. These cases are investigated, charged, and prosecuted by federal agencies and in federal courts. They may address crimes like drug trafficking across states, internet crimes, or weapons offenses.
• Appeals and Post-Conviction Representation: Even if you have been convicted of a criminal offense, this is not the end of your case. An experienced attorney can review your options if you were wrongfully convicted or charged unreasonably harshly for your crime. If there were miscarriages of justice in your criminal case, an attorney can navigate direct appeals, petition for the reduction of your sentence, and pursue other options to mitigate your conviction.