Your criminal defense attorney must be available to answer your questions and address your concerns in addition to being your representative in court

A criminal conviction in Tennessee can change your life. Besides the harsh penalties, including prison confinement and fines, a criminal record can prevent you from obtaining certain types of jobs, restrict where you can live and be a life-long source of embarrassment. The criminal defense attorney you select to represent you plays an important role in protecting you from the severe punishment and consequences associated criminal charges.

Getting recommendations from friends or family members, local bar associations or even the internet are some of the ways people look for an attorney.  If you believe you are under investigation by law enforcement or have been arrested on criminal charges, you need a topnotch criminal defense attorney capable of fighting for your rights and protecting your interests.

Some of the factors to take into consideration when selecting a criminal defense lawyer to hire include:

• Experience handling criminal cases: An attorney who has experience handling civil law cases, such as breach of contract cases or business disputes, may not have the ability to handle a criminal case. The substantive laws, procedures and rules of evidence in cases involving criminal charges are very different than those applicable to civil cases. You want an attorney defending you who is skilled and knowledgeable in the Tennessee criminal laws and the courtroom procedures that are unique to criminal cases.
• Familiarity with the charges of your case: Some criminal defense attorneys might be experienced in handling minor offenses, but serious misdemeanor and felony cases demand representation by an attorney who is capable of going up against some of the best prosecutors and investigators. The stakes are high when you can be sentenced to spend your future in a prison cell. Your attorney should have a proven record of success representing other individuals facing similar charges.
• Accessibility: The advice and guidance of a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can help to lessen the stress and confusion that you may experience following your arrest on criminal charges. You have questions that your attorney should be available to answer.
• An innovative and tenacious advocate: Analyzing the various facts, circumstances and evidence associated with a criminal case are skills developed through hard work and experience. You want the attorney representing you to be capable of developing a defense strategy that challenges search and seizures for evidence conducted by law enforcement, that seeks to suppress statements you might have made to police in violation of your constitutional rights and that exploits weaknesses in the prosecution's case to obtain a dismissal of the charges, a reduction of them or some other disposition that is in your favor.

Knowing whether an attorney possesses the skills, experience, knowledge and leadership to provide you with a superior defense when you are the subject of a criminal prosecution can only be accomplished by meeting with the attorney. The criminal defense attorneys at Dotson & Taylor have more than 40 years of experience representing clients in Murfreesboro and throughout Tennessee in all types of criminal cases. Discuss your case with one of our criminal attorneys during a free initial consultation by calling us at 615-890-1982, or you can contact us online.