Criminal Defense Lawyer in Fairhope, Alabama

We all make mistakes in life, and sometimes those mistakes lead us to suffer serious consequences. Your freedom, privacy, and even your rights are on the line when you are charged with a criminal offense in Fairhope, Alabama. Once a Fairhope prosecutor has you in their sights, there’s a good chance you’ll go to prison, pay hefty fines, or both. Not to mention that a criminal conviction can affect your social standing, job opportunities, and overall freedom.

If you’ve been accused of a crime or arrested, you need to defend yourself, and get the representation you deserve. Call Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne at 251-928-1915 to set up a consultation and explore your legal options.

We Take a Variety of Criminal Cases

Some of the Fairhope, AL criminal cases we take include:

• DUI: People facing DUI charges are going up against prosecutors that score major points among voters when they secure DUI convictions, so they need a committed defense to fight their charges. We represent a range of clients, from those with their first DUI charge to those with aggravating factors and multiple DUIs behind them.
• Drug charges: The possession, manufacturing, or selling of drugs can lead to serious consequences for those who are convicted. These charges are so serious that they can have a long-term impact on your education, career, and civil freedoms.
• Domestic violence: If you’ve been arrested for or accused of domestic violence, choose our firm to fight for you and protect your reputation in your community. Domestic violence convictions can impact your family law issues if you ever end up in a fight for custody.
• White collar crime: White-collar crime is often investigated at a federal level. Those accused of embezzlement, fraud, forgery, and other similar crimes need a focused and experienced attorney. A conviction can often lead to thousands of dollars in fines and lengthy prison sentences.
• Juvenile offenses: A child’s or teen’s mistake shouldn’t follow them for the rest of their lives. Our team is ready to explore different options, including diversion, rehabilitation, probation, and other options to avoid conviction or minimize the effects of a conviction.

We’ve also handled many other types of criminal cases in the past. We’re ready to sit down and talk to you about your options if you’ve been arrested.

How Your Case Will Progress

After you’ve been arrested for a crime, do whatever you can to keep yourself calm and collected. Lashing out, trying to explain your side of the story, or otherwise engaging with the police can only hurt your case. You can identify yourself, but do not give the police any other information. They can wait until you have your attorney from our firm present.

We cannot stress this enough—do not speak to the police, even if you’re innocent and you just want to clear up a misunderstanding. Anything you tell them will be used against you, whether or not you are guilty. They want a conviction. They don’t necessarily care if they have the right person.

After you’re arrested, you will see the judge, who will determine if you can post bail or if you are required to stay in jail until your trial. This is just one area where it’s helpful to have a Fairhope criminal defense attorney. They can fight for a fair bail amount so you can be with your family and loved ones while awaiting trial.

You’ll then be able to enter your plea with the court. There are two different courts in the area that may handle your case. The Circuit Court handles criminal cases involving felony offenses, but the District Court handles criminal misdemeanors, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and guilty pleas in felony cases that are not punishable by death.

Your attorney will be with you when you enter your plea and during your preliminary hearing. During your preliminary hearing, the prosecutor will have to prove that they have enough evidence against you to go to trial.

If your case goes to trial, your attorney will immediately begin preparations. However, you may also be offered a plea deal that meets your needs. At every point during this process, your attorney will be available to answer questions, explain your options, and help you understand the possible outcomes of each choice.

A Criminal Conviction Can Change Your Life Forever—Here’s What You Should Do After an Arrest

It’s crucial that you don’t take your arrest too lightly. Some people believe that they can save money by representing themselves in court. This is a huge mistake that could cost you your freedom and limit your future opportunities. If convicted, you may have to pay thousands of dollars in fines, serve a prison sentence, or both. Additionally, you may find that your job options are limited once you serve your time.

A conviction on your record may deter potential employers from hiring you, especially if it’s a felony. On top of that, some convictions limit where you live and force you to register whenever you move. If you are convicted of a sex crime, you will need to register on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Sex Offender Registry. Not only does this limit where you can live, but it may also set you up as a target for harassment.

You could spend years or even decades trying to recover from the consequences of a criminal conviction. That’s why your top priority should be contacting an attorney after your arrest. When we get your call, we’ll learn more about your arrest and the charges you’re facing. We’ll be there when you get questioned to ensure you don’t incriminate yourself. Our goal is to do everything we can to get your charges dropped, dismissed, or reduced.

Choose Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne for Your Criminal Case

The criminal defense team at Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne is here to defend you as you try to clear your name. We’re ready to start working right away—just contact us and we’ll set up a consultation. Call our Fairhope, AL office today at 251-258-1915 or contact us online if you want a team member to reach out to you.