This is an overview of what you should and should not do in the event you are arrested and charged with a misdemeanor offense in the State of Louisiana. Share this information with your friends and loved ones who live in or may be traveling to New Orleans, or call me now if you have been arrested and charged with a misdemeanor offense.

You Should:

• Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor offense you need a lawyer. The criminal process can be complex and confusing, and it’s important to understand your legal rights. The best way to be informed is to contact a Louisiana criminal attorney.
• Be courteous to police officers and comply with (reasonable) commands.
• Notice if anyone is around during your arrest or processing. They could be considered a witness in your favor.
• Exercise your right to remain silent. You should only answer questions regarding basic information, like your name and address. Do not answer any other questions.

You Should NOT:

• Attempt to represent yourself.  Though not as serious as felonies, misdemeanor convictions can have serious implications for your future. There are ways an experienced criminal defense attorney can reduce your sentence, or negotiate a plea to a lesser charge or even a dismissal. Give yourself the advantage of professional legal representation.
• Speak to anyone about details or facts of the case. Only do so if your attorney says otherwise.
• Make any statements. Don’t try to win your case on the street. Be courteous and cooperative, but don’t think for a minute that anything you say to a police officer is going to help you while on the scene. Let an experienced attorney fight and try to win your case in court.

Misdemeanors are serious problems, but at NOLA Criminal Law I have been solving serious problems for people for a long time.

You can call or text me immediately on me cell phone at 504.237.5245, call my office at 504.528.9500, email me at townsend@nolacriminallaw.com, or find @nolalaw on twitter. If you prefer to use the contact for on this page or the “contact” page of this site, I promise your request will be answered very quickly.

Keep in mind that for OUT OF TOWN clients, NOLA Criminal Law can represent you on most misdemeanors without the necessity of you having to travel to New Orleans to appear in court.