Criminal Defense

Everything from misdemeanors to felonies, DWI/DUIs, District Court Appeals, we are here to defend you. Let us Roar to the Rescue!

District Court/Misdemeanors

Traffic and misdemeanor charges are brought in what is called District Court. In District Court, a criminal defendant does not have the option of a jury trial. The judge, and the judge alone, decides your guilt or innocence. All Defendants have an absolute right to appeal to Circuit Court within thirty days if convicted, where you are entitled to a jury. District Court is an opportunity to resolve your case with limited attorney fees. Lion Legal Services attorneys are often able to obtain favorable results in District Court and resolve the issue finally for clients. You should treat District Court as seriously as you would Circuit Court so as to prevent the need, time and stress of an appeal.

If you are found or plead guilty in District Court you have thirty days to file an appeal to Circuit Court, no questions asked. You do not have to state a basis for your appeal or otherwise justify why you think you should be able to get another chance at defending yourself. Once appealed, the case starts all over again with a different judge and a different prosecutor and a jury. It’s a complicated process to appeal and you must follow the rules strictly. If you want to appeal, contact us immediately!

DWI/DUI

In Arkansas, the law does not allow prosecutors to reduce or dismiss DWIs, which means your only choice is to plead guilty or go to trial. The criminal defense attorneys at Lion Legal Services are experienced and trained in fighting these charges.

We fight DWIs if there is a chance of prevailing at trial. If we don’t have grounds to win at trial, the goal turns to obtaining the best sentence for you.

For a first offense the punishment includes a fine ranging from $150-1000, 1 day to one year in jail, alcohol and MADD classes, 6-month DL suspension, a reinstatement fee, and a required interlock on your vehicle. A conviction affects your future ability to obtain employment and increased insurance premiums. Many jobs will not keep or hire someone with a DWI. These should be treated very seriously.

Felonies

From sex crimes to gun or drug crimes to violent crimes, Lion Legal Services’ criminal defense team is experienced in representing Defendants accused of a variety of charges. Freedom is one of the most important tenets of our society; your freedom is worth protecting vigorously and you only get one bite at the apple of proving you are not guilty!

Traffic Tickets

If you are a CDL holder, then you should definitely call Lion Legal Services! Even when it is a first violation and even if you are driving in your own private vehicle, a moving violation can harm your employment status.

Non-commercial drivers can often achieve a reduction of the violation from moving to non-moving, but Arkansas law prevents city attorneys or prosecutors from doing that for you, as a CDL holder.

There are some techniques Lion Legal Services can use and that have been successful in the past to provide a benefit to CDL holders who are issued moving traffic violations.