Felony Criminal Defense Lawyers in Clarksville, TN, Can Fight for You
Protecting your constitutional rights during criminal prosecutions
Any criminal charge is a serious matter, but a felony conviction can change your life forever with years of incarceration, crippling fines, loss of rights and future difficulties obtaining employment. Prosecutors frequently devote substantial time and resources to pursuing these serious charges, and media involvement can even become an issue. That is why felony defense stands in a league of its own and requires the intervention of Clarksville defense attorneys who have the skills and resources necessary to put up a zealous and effective defense. With more than 75 years of combined experience, ample resources and a reputation for excellence throughout Tennessee, the attorneys of the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC stand ready to provide you and your family the counsel and support you need if a felony charge or investigation has impacted your life.
When does your charge become a felony?
A felony is a crime punishable by one year or more in prison or by death, while a misdemeanor is a crime punishable by less than a year in jail. Some crimes, such as drug offenses and theft can be classified as either felonies or misdemeanors depending upon the circumstances of their commission. Tennessee has several classifications for felonies:
- Capital crimes, such as murder, carry a life sentence and can invoke the death penalty.
- Class A felonies, such as manslaughter, aggravated robbery with serious injury to the victim and serious drug crimes, usually carry a penalty of between 15 and 60 years in prison.
- Class B felonies, such as aggravated robbery, theft of more than $60,000 and lesser drug crimes, can incur eight to 30 years in prison.
- Class C felonies, such as robbery, burglary, theft and certain white-collar crimes can result in three to 15 years in prison.
- Class D felonies, such as nonresidential burglary and vehicular assault, can carry two to 12 years in prison.
- Class E felonies, such as repeat DUIs can lead to one to six years in prison.
How a Clarksville felony attorney assists you
If you are charged with a felony in Tennessee, you have the right to legal counsel and to have an attorney present during questioning. To avoid incriminating yourself, you should refrain from answering questions posed by investigators or the police until you have the assistance of an attorney. Moreover, an experienced attorney can identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, ask the court to exclude evidence obtained in violation of your rights and make legal argument that the charges levied do not fit your alleged conduct and a lesser charge would be more appropriate. In many cases, an attorney can get a case dismissed prior to trial. In others, prosecutors agree to a lesser charge or sentence in exchange for a guilty plea.
At the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC, our Clarksville felony lawyers adhere to the belief that anyone charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. We treat our clients with the utmost respect and are sensitive to their needs and concerns during what is always a trying time. We are always ready to fight for you but provide an honest assessment of your situation and the evidence you are facing.
We are committed to defending our clients’ rights
If you or a loved one is facing a felony charge in Tennessee, it has likely become the focus of your entire life. As a client of the Kennedy Law Firm, PLLC, you can expect our attorneys to treat your case with the same priority and urgency that you do. With more than 75 years of combined experience in state and federal courts, we bring our full set of skills and resources to bear for you. Call us today at 931-444-5620 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at one of our three Clarksville locations or at your place of confinement if necessary.
