Jim Williams and Associates represent clients charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes in all state and federal courts in Tennessee and Virginia.  If you or a loved one have been arrested or are being investigated for a crime, you need to immediately seek the advice of an aggressive criminal defense lawyer.  Right now, you are probably filled with fear, have a million questions and are not quite sure how to proceed.  Don’t panic!  You should act intelligently and consult with a criminal defense attorney now.  Only an experienced criminal defense attorney can evaluate your case and determine the likelihood of success at trial or, in the alternative, negotiate a favorable plea-bargain.

Violating state or federal law can result in harsh punishments, such as incarceration and excessive fines.  However, being charged with a criminal offense does not have to devastate your life and your family’s life.  The criminal defense attorneys at Jim Williams & Associates are here to ensure that you get your life back, your peace of mind and your freedom.  We employ an aggressive defense, often convincing the prosecution to reduce or dismiss the charges against you.  Our sole priority is to achieve a resolution that you can live with, without significantly affecting your lifestyle or your job.

Felony & Misdemeanor Crimes

The following are some felony and/or misdemeanor crimes for which you may be charged.

Driving Under The Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Assault & Battery, Domestic Violence, Spousal Abuse, Violent Crimes, Third Strike Cases, Murder, Sex Offenses (Rape, Date Rape, Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, Indecent Exposure, Lewd Conduct, Molestation), Drug Offenses (Trafficking, Possession, Distribution, Manufacturing, Transportation, Cultivation of Marijuana, Possession for Sale, Under the Influence), Theft, Petty Theft, Prostitution, Kidnapping, Terrorist Threats, Arson, Manslaughter, Vehicular Manslaughter, Guns and Weapons Charges, Gaming, Juvenile Crimes, Robbery, Spousal Abuse, Child Endangerment, Child Abuse, Stalking, Car Jacking, Hit and Run.

Drug Crimes

Drug possession — including possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of illegal prescription drugs, and possession of drugs or narcotics.

Possession of drugs with intent to distribute — also known as drug trafficking, drug dealing, possession with intent to resell, or the resale of drugs or narcotics, including crack-cocaine, marijuana, crystal meth, heroin, or other illegal drugs.

Conspiracy to distribute drugs — also referred to as conspiracy to possess drugs with the intent to resell, including ecstasy, GHB, cocaine, methamphetamines, and marijuana.

Forging prescriptions — including forging prescriptions for narcotics and other drugs for use or resale.

Manufacturing drugs — including meth labs and drug making facilities.

Domestic Assault

Experience has shown us that many domestic assaults charges are filed in retaliation to divorce or other domestic difficulties.  Unfortunately, domestic assault allegations are seriously considered by the divorce court in a divorce proceeding and therefore must be vigorously defended in Criminal or Circuit Court.  Equally unfortunate, domestic assault charges are generally not dropped by the prosecution, even if the spouse or filing party decides not to press charges.

Criminal Appeals & Post Conviction Relief

The attorneys at Jim Williams & Associates can handle any type of criminal appeal or post conviction relief, including allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel claims.  If you feel that you were wrongly convicted, please CONTACT us today and schedule a free confidential case evaluation.

Warrants – Bonds – Expungements

Warrants

The attorneys at Jim Williams & Associates can help you with all types of warrants, including arrest warrants.  If you feel that there may be a warrant for your arrest, please CONTACT us today and schedule a free confidential consultation to discuss how we may be able to assist you.

Bond Hearings

The attorneys at Jim Williams & Associates can represent you in your criminal trial in state or federal court, or for the limited purpose of your bond hearing.  If you would like experienced representation at your bond hearing, please CONTACT us today and schedule a free confidential evaluation.

Expungement

The attorneys at Jim Williams & Associates may be able to negotiate expungement of your crime as part of a plea bargain or sentencing hearing.  If you have already been convicted, and the court at the time you were sentenced provided that you would be eligible to petition for expungement of your conviction, and you would like to inquire about having a clean record, please CONTACT us today and schedule a free confidential evaluation.

Sex Crimes

Sex crime punishments are governed by state and federal sentencing guidelines.  Because of society’s disdain for sex offenses, especially sex offenses involving minors or children, the punishments are harsh, as they should be.

If you are convicted of a sex crime, chances are that you are looking at serious jail time, often without the benefit of probation or parole.  Sex offenses are often viewed as 100% crimes, meaning that in many cases you will serve one hundred percent (100%) of your sentence without probation or parole.

To make matters worse, often you are charged with several offenses.  If the court sentences you to serve your sentences consecutively (one sentence doesn’t start until the preceding sentence ends), then you could virtually end up serving a life sentence (even for a first offense).

When you finally are released from jail, you will find that you need to comply with sex offender registration requirements.  These registration requirements include, but are not limited to, internet publication, ongoing monitoring and reporting as to your residence, and will dictate your daily life in many other ways such where you may live, or places you may go.  You will discover that you will be paying for your crime even after you serve your sentence.

DUI Drunk Driving

It is illegal to drive in Tennessee or Virginia with a blood alcohol level of .08 or greater, or while ones driving is impaired by alcohol or illegal or prescription drugs.

In Tennessee and Virginia, there is an implied consent (you agree to it when you sign for your drivers license) to submit to a breathalyzer or or blood test when a police officer has probable cause to believe that your driving is impaired due to drugs or alcohol.  That means if a police officer has lawful grounds to stop you and probable cause to believe you are impaired or over the legal limit (usually an odor of alcohol will be all that it takes) the officer can ask you to submit to a blood-alcohol test.  Refusing a breath or blood test can result in the loss of your license even if you are later found not guilty of DUI or DWI.

If your test result is over the legal limit (currently .08 for alcohol) you will be charged with DUI per se (that means if the prosecution can show the test was accurate and the stop was lawful, you can be convicted of drunk driving simply for having an illegal blood alcohol amount while driving regardless of how well you may have been driving).

If your breath or blood test is under the legal limit, or you refuse to submit to a breath or blood test, you can still be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) / driving while impaired (DWI) if the prosecution can show your ability to operate the vehicle was impaired because of alcohol or drugs.  There is no per se limit for drugs and the prosecution must show that the drugs impaired your ability to drive.  The evidence the prosecution will typically attempt to rely upon to show impairment (especially when they do not have a breath or blood test because the person refused) is the manner of driving, the results of field sobriety tests, and the person’s general demeanor and appearance.

It is important to note that field sobriety tests, which are typically walking a straight line, standing on one foot, and similar tests are not required to be performed and a person does not risk losing their license for refusing these tests.

First time DUI/DWI offenders may receive up to one year imprisonment, fines up to $2,500, community service, and drivers license revocation among other penalties.

CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION AT 423-230-0006 or 423-230-6315

Facing a criminal matter can be an emotional time for the accused as well as family.  You will have many questions and we will be able to provide the answers.  Please CONTACT a lawyer at our downtown Kingsport office located at 324 Cherokee St. for a FREE consultation and case evaluation from an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Click here to see our commercial on criminal law.