Criminal Defense Attorney
Do you need an experienced criminal trial attorney?
An arrest is a frightening experience, particularly for a person who has never had contact with the criminal justice system. Without warning, you find yourself thrust into an unfamiliar world, where you are subjected to incredible indignities. The stress of being the subject of an investigation or trauma of being arrested and booked into a jail can truly be overwhelming. It will make you question your most basic assumptions about yourself and the legal system.
Fortunately, with timely intervention, negotiation and preparation by an experienced attorney, your life may go back to normal. Timing, however, is critical. You need to know your rights and act to protect those rights immediately. Brett Grayson knows the intricacies of the legal system and has years of experience as a former prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer.
While utilizing this experience, Brett Grayson defends clients who have been accused of virtually any Louisiana or federal offense.
Every case is different. Nonetheless, Brett Grayson strives to minimize the effects of a criminal accusation on your life and will guide you through this emotional and legal maze with the following goals in mind:
- Avoiding any further jail time;
- Avoiding any conviction; and
- If the conviction cannot be avoided, providing you the opportunity to expunge the arrest and conviction from your record at a later date.
If you are facing criminal charges, contact us today to schedule a consultation to begin to process of retaining Brett L Grayson, LLC – Attorney at Law!
Felony Defense
Under both federal and Louisiana law, a felony is a crime that has a potential sentence of more than one year in prison, and the accused has the right to a trial by judge or jury. Under Louisiana law, when the accused elects to be tried by jury in a felony case, the number of jurors who will determine guilt or innocence of the accused is dictated by the potential sentence. If the crime is punishable “with or without hard labor,” then six jurors will hear the case, and all six jurors must unanimously agree on the verdict. When the crime is necessarily punishable “at hard labor,” twelve jurors will hear the case, and ten of twelve of the jurors must agree on the verdict. Felonies are generally the most serious crimes, such as crimes of violence or those crimes which threaten relatively high amounts of financial damage or harm to property. Yet, most drug charges, except for possession of marijuana-first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia, are classified as felonies under Louisiana law.
Without even mentioning the stigma of being a “convicted felon,” a felony conviction can have numerous devastating consequences on your life. For example, upon a felony conviction, the offender immediately loses of the right to vote as well his or her eligibility for elected office. The offender could additionally lose his or her professional license and the right to possess firearms. The offender will also unquestionably have great difficulty in acquiring and maintaining employment.
However, with timely intervention, negotiation, and preparation by an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you may be able to avoid a felony conviction on your record. If a felony conviction cannot be avoided, an attorney may nonetheless be able to obtain a suspended sentence where you are placed on probation, instead of being sentenced to a term of confinement. A knowledgeable lawyer may additionally be able to get you back to where you were before your felony case began once you have successfully completed your probation.
In many felony cases in Louisiana courts where the person is convicted for the first time, the defendant may be allowed to enter what is commonly referred to as an “Article 893 Plea.” When a conviction is entered under Article 893 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court defers the imposition of sentence and places the defendant on probation. Thereafter, if the defendant successfully completes his or her probation, the defendant may have the court set aside the conviction and dismiss the prosecution. This dismissal of the prosecution has the same legal effect as acquittal, and, in turn, the defendant can have the entire matter (i.e.- the arrest and the subsequent prosecution) expunged from his or her record.
The federal and Louisiana criminal justice system is very complex; and, the stakes are extremely high in felony cases. Consequently, it is imperative to have effective representation at all stages of a felony proceeding. Brett Grayson knows the intricacies of the legal system and has decades of experience as a former prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer. While utilizing this experience, Brett Grayson will strive to minimize the effects of the felony accusation on your life and will guide you through this emotional and legal maze from start to finish.
Drugs or Narcotics Defense
Most violations of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Law are classified as felonies under Louisiana law, except for possession of marijuana-first offense and possession of drug paraphernalia. Under federal law, only unlawful importation, manufacturing, and possession with intent to distribute possession with However, regardless of whether the offense is a felony or a misdemeanor, a narcotics related conviction can have serious consequences, such as the loss of eligibility for student loans or other educational financial aid. Yet, with the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, many first time offenders can escape a drug conviction through diversion programs offered by many District Attorneys throughout Louisiana. Even when a conviction cannot be avoided, an attorney may nonetheless be able to assist in subsequently expunging a drug arrest and conviction upon the successful completion of a drug court program or probation under what is a commonly referred to as “Article 893” (for felonies) or “Article 894” (for misdemeanors) plea. But, in order to take advantage of these provisions of the law, your case must be properly handled at the time of the plea and sentencing.
It is also important to note that, when you have been accused of a drug violation, your property may be subject to forfeiture. Through Louisiana Revised Statute 40:2601 et seq., the Louisiana Legislature established a civil system of expressly delineated procedures, which allow the State of Louisiana to seize and have forfeited property that is related to, is a proceed from, facilitates, or is itself a violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. These civil forfeiture proceedings are very complex. The deadlines for the State of Louisiana and the property owner are short and cannot be extended, and the consequences for not properly meeting these deadlines are severe. Accordingly, if you have been accused of a drug or narcotics related crime, it is imperative that you have competent representation at all stages of the proceeding.
If you, or someone you know, are facing drug charges, contact us today to schedule a consultation to begin to process of retaining Brett L Grayson, LLC – Attorney at Law!
Theft, Property and White Collar Crimes Defense
Theft, property or other “white collar” crimes usually carry potential sentences that can be suspended or probated, particularly when the amount of financial harm is minimal and/or the offender makes full restitution to the victim. But, these crimes are often considered “crimes of dishonesty” or “crimes of moral turpitude.” As a result, a conviction for theft, property or other “white collar” crimes can lead to the loss or suspension of your professional license, and for the non-United States citizens, deportation. The amount at issue will usually dictate whether the offense is a misdemeanor or felony.
In the federal system, a conviction for theft, mail fraud or other “white collar” crimes usually results in, as part of the sentence, a judgment of restitution that follows one around the rest of their life.
If you, or someone you know, are facing theft, property or other white collar charges, contact us today to schedule a consultation to begin to process of retaining Brett L. Grayson, LLC – Attorney at Law!