Located in Walker County, Alabama, the City of Jasper has a population of about 15,000. Growth in the area began in the late 1800s, when the Kansas City-Memphis and Birmingham railroad was completed. Once the world’s leading producer of coal, there were 400 coke ovens and six coal mines in operation by 1891.
State Totals
Property Crime: 160,502
Violent Crime 18,239
Jasper
Rapes: 7
Robbery: 13
Assault: 52
Burglary: 17
Theft: 920
Walker County
Rapes: 10
Robbery: 16
Assault: 79
Burglary: 135
Theft: 1,477
Auto Theft: 158
Source: Alabama Criminal Justice information center, 2010 report.
At Alabama Criminal Lawyers, we believe that everyone charged with a crime deserves immediate access to experienced legal representation. We handle all types of misdemeanor and felony charges throughout Northern Alabama. Each day in Alabama, hundreds of residents are charged with serious crimes. Without aggressive legal counsel, many will face life-changing penalties and a permanent criminal record.
Hundreds are charged with crimes in Jasper and Walker County each year. Authorities make mistakes. Defendants are charged for being with the wrong people or in the wrong place at the wrong time. Defendants and witnesses identify the wrong suspect. Police don’t play by the rules and violate the rights of suspects. And even when everything is by the book, the state must contend with an overcrowded system with too few resources; a defendant is entitled to make an aggressive defense that will permit the best resolution possible. We work hard on our client’s behalf, to help them put the incident behind them and go on with their lives.
Theft charges in Jasper are the most common. Theft can include a wide range of criminal activities and can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Robbery, burglary, auto theft, shoplifting, and fraud may all lead to different penalties under the law. The record of the defendant and the value of the items stolen can also impact the manner in which a defendant is charged or sentenced.
An experienced Jasper defense lawyer will take a look at the evidence and decide upon the best course of action. In many cases, a reduction or dismissal of the charges may be possible. In other cases, a deal may be worked out with prosecutors that is in the best interest of the defendant. In still other cases, an aggressive defense should be prepared for trial.
Drug charges in Jasper also vary widely. Whether a client is charged with possession or sale can have an impact on the potential penalty, as can the weight or type of drugs involved. Whether a juvenile was involved and whether the arrest occurred near a school or other protected area can also significantly impact the potential penalties.
Alabama Criminal Lawyers is dedicated to providing clients with experienced criminal defense in a wide range of criminal cases, including sex crimes, domestic violence, juvenile crimes, murder and manslaughter, federal crimes, and representation through the state and federal appeals process.
If you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges in Jasper, contact us today at (205) 981-2450 for a confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
ALABAMA DUI: WHAT TO DO
Our DUI lawyers have committed a substantial portion of our law practice to fighting for the rights of motorists charged with drunk driving throughout the greater Birmingham metro area. Each year, the State of Alabama charges more than 14,000 motorists with drunk driving.
And the penalties continue to get more severe with each passing year. In 2011, Alabama lawmakers increased the jail time for a first offense from 90 days to 1 year and mandated ignition interlock devices be installed in the vehicles of some offenders. The emphasis on making arrests comes even as the number of serious and fatal drunk driving accidents is near an all-time low.
City and local governments reap millions of dollars in fines and court costs from motorists charged with DUI. Each year, the government hands law enforcement agencies millions more to conduct sobriety checkpoints, enforcement blitzes and other efforts aimed at arresting and accusing drivers of operating a motor vehicle under the influence.
A result is an increasing number of marginal and unfair arrests. And still, there is talk of lowering the legal threshold. Once .10, it has already been lowered to .08. Still, lawmakers are debating lowering it further; it is as low as .03 in some developing countries.
A first offense carries some of the stiffest penalties of any misdemeanor on the books. While the penalties for a second or subsequent arrest include a real threat of jail time and a lengthy driver’s license suspension.
A Jasper drunk driving defense lawyer should always be called to review your case and decide upon the best course of action. Many times, the charges can be beat. In other cases, an attorney can successfully seek a reduction or dismissal. In every case, an attorney can best ensure that your rights are protected. The cost of a drunk driving conviction can approach $20,000, counting fines, court costs, missed work, license suspensions and increased insurance premiums. Hiring an attorney can be the best money you will spend.
If you are facing drunk driving charges in Jasper or elsewhere in Walker County, contact us at (205) 981-2450 for a confidential consultation to discuss your case.