Information about the criminal defense process and criminal justice system in Louisiana and Mississippi.
“Hearsay Evidence” – many people have heard this term, but what does this term actually mean? Hearsay is essentially an out of court statement which has not been subjected to prior cross examination, and therefore is not admissible in a…
Did you go to Louisiana for Mardi Gras and up with a hangover and a misdemeanor or two? It’s generally not the end of the world, but you will need to defend yourself against excessive charges and hopefully get the…
As a Louisiana criminal defense attorney who represents defendants charged with homicide, I have heard more than once “it wasn’t my fault – I was acting in self defense.” This can be a legitimate defense to a homicide charge under…
This is an actual DUI case: a woman was involved in a car accident in Lafayette, Louisiana. The police officer suspected that she was driving while intoxicated and had the woman take a breathalyzer test. The test showed that the…
Under the Mississippi Code of Criminal Proceedings, there is a category of charges called “crimes against the person.” These crimes involve violence or the threat of violence to a person, abduction, confinement or intimidation. In this post, I will be…
Updated 8/1/2014: In my 20 years as a Louisiana criminal defense attorney and public defender, I have handled all types of criminal charges. One of the first questions I hear from clients is -- what is my prison sentence if I’m…
Continuing a trial means asking the judge to postpone the trial date. The most common reason your criminal attorney will request a Motion to Continue is to have additional time to prepare for trial. Your lawyer may need more time…
In Mississippi, defendants charged with minor misdemeanors may have their trial in Justice Court. Minor misdemeanors are charges like resisting arrest, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, malicious mischief, and simple criminal damage to property. Justice Court differs from…
I recently represented a Louisiana man charged with felony theft of oil field equipment. Because this type of equipment is very expensive and also readily available in the Lafayette Parish area, it is common theft item. The victim, the owner…
Under the United States constitution, citizens who are accused of a felony have the right to a trial by a jury of their peers. However, in some cases it can be advantageous to waive this right and go with a…