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Skilled Criminal Defense Attorneys In Maryville

Being accused of a crime can be one of the most intimidating, overwhelming experiences of all. A conviction can seriously impact your future, your reputation and virtually every other aspect of your life. But you’re not alone. When you work with an attorney from Shepherd & Long in Tennessee, we’ll do everything we can to protect you. You can rely on us to defend your rights and be by your side.

How Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help

The criminal justice structure is not designed for individuals to navigate alone. Hiring a highly skilled criminal defense lawyer to represent you during your criminal trial is necessary. While those with limited financial means might qualify for a court-appointed lawyer like a public defender, many find that hiring a private attorney provides additional benefits and personalized attention.

Our skilled legal team has spent a combined 50 years representing clients through all types of criminal charges. As such, we know all the ins and outs of the legal system and how to build a strong defense strategy tailored to meet your specific situation. We offer aggressive and skilled legal representation across comprehensive criminal defense areas, including:

Assault charges: From simple to aggravated assault, we can defend you to help ensure your side of the story is heard and your rights remain protected.
Criminal charges on college campuses: We understand the unique challenges faced by college students and take pride in defending them and protecting their educational future.
Drug crimes: Whether you are facing possession or distribution charges, we can develop robust legal strategies tailored to your case and the substances involved.
DUI defense: Our team can challenge every angle of the DUI charges, from the initial stop to the accuracy of tests.
Drugged driving defense: We can employ skilled legal strategies to defend against complex drugged driving charges, often involving scientific evidence.
Administrative license suspensions: Our experienced attorneys can fight to preserve your driving privileges – a crucial element for your daily life.
Juvenile defense: Our legal approach focuses on protecting your child’s future, emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment.
Murder and homicide charges: In these high-stakes cases, we can provide an aggressive, careful defense by examining every piece of evidence available.
Sex crimes: We handle these sensitive cases with discretion and a strong defense strategy, protecting your rights and reputation.
Theft charges: From shoplifting to grand larceny, we can develop defenses that address the specific circumstances of your case to help maintain your legal rights protection.

Our goal is to remain committed to helping people throughout Blount County. We are, therefore, proud of the long-lasting relationships we have built with the people we serve in our community. As such, we work hard to create a stress-free environment at our firm where you can freely discuss your case.

FAQs About Maryville Criminal Defense

The team at Shepherd & Long is ready to answer any questions you might have about your case. You can also feel free to read through some of our most frequently asked questions.

How soon should I call a lawyer after I’m arrested?

For the best outcome for your case, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible after an arrest. Make it your first phone call, or call a loved one who can contact a lawyer on your behalf. The sooner we begin working on your case, the better our chances of a successful outcome. Sometimes, we can start negotiating with the prosecution before they even press charges.

Will my case go to trial?

Not necessarily. Going to trial depends on the criminal offense for which you were arrested, as well as the seriousness of the crime and the circumstances around it. A skilled criminal defense attorney can work with the prosecution to have charges reduced or dismissed.

What are the consequences of a criminal conviction?

When you are convicted of a crime, after you serve the terms of your sentence, you may think everything is behind you. Unfortunately, often this is not the case. Having a criminal record can affect your future in a variety of ways, depending on the severity of the crime. These are known as collateral consequences and can cause you to lose your rights or opportunities regarding:

Ability to possess firearms
Holding public office
Housing
Professional licensing
Student loans
Voting

What are Miranda rights?

Miranda rights, or Miranda warnings, are your constitutional right to remain silent and retain legal counsel after an arrest and before interrogation. The Fifth Amendment provides you the right to protect yourself from self-incrimination, and when you assert your Miranda rights, authorities must stop their interrogation. Law enforcement must advise you of your Miranda rights during an arrest or before interrogation. Without doing so, any evidence obtained from you could be dismissed in court.

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

Felonies are typically the most serious crimes in the criminal justice system, and are punishable by more than a year in prison, all the way up to the death penalty. Misdemeanors are for lesser offenses, with sentences up to one year. Misdemeanor convictions result in local jail time, rather than prison. Tennessee has multiple levels and classes of misdemeanors and felonies.

Can I get my criminal record expunged in Maryville?

Possibly. Some crimes are eligible for expunction in Tennessee, but not all. If our attorneys had your charges dismissed or decreased, you may be able to have your record expunged and clear your criminal record. Dangerous and violent crimes are unlikely to be expunged, so working with our experienced attorneys at the start can help you avoid a criminal record in the first place.

What should I do if I’m arrested for drunk driving?

If you’re pulled over and arrested for DUI, it is vital you do not talk to authorities without an attorney present. You are not legally required to submit to field sobriety testing, but denying a test comes with its own consequences, like automatic loss of license and other penalties. Our East Tennessee attorneys can help with DUI charges.

Get More Information About Your Case

Our defense attorneys are formidable opponents in trial and compassionate allies. We can be your best advocates. Find out how with an initial consultation, where you’ll learn more about what we can do and what you’re up against. Use our online contact form or call 865-383-3118 to get in touch and set up an appointment. Let us be there for you. You’ll soon learn that we don’t back down.