Your Trusted Criminal Defense Lawyer IN NEW ORLEANS
More than 30 years of experience defending felony, misdemeanor, DUI/DWI, municipal, and federal criminal cases in Louisiana.
PRACTICE AREAS
I focus exclusively on criminal law and handle cases ranging from minor charges to serious felony and federal matters.
Criminal Defense
Drug Charges
Traffic Tickets
Federal Criminal Defense
Municipal Court Defense
Theft & Fraud
DUI / DWI Defense
Record Expungement
Visitors, Tourists & Trouble
Facing Criminal Charges?
If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, experienced legal guidance can make a critical difference early in your case.
Arrested for a DUI / DWI?
DUI charges can affect your license, record, and future. It’s important to understand your options as soon as possible.
Visitors, Tourists & Trouble
Arrested or cited while visiting New Orleans? Many cases can be handled locally without requiring you to return to court.
Meet Townsend Myers
Townsend Myers is a New Orleans criminal defense attorney with more than 30 years of experience handling criminal cases in Louisiana courts. He founded NOLA Criminal Law in 1998 and focuses exclusively on criminal defense, including misdemeanors, DUI/DWI charges, felony cases, and federal criminal matters.
Over the course of his career, Townsend has represented thousands of clients and has handled more than 4,000 felony cases, along with hundreds of DUI and municipal court cases. His deep familiarity with New Orleans courts allows him to navigate the legal process efficiently and effectively.
Known for his straightforward approach and personal attention, Townsend believes clients deserve clear communication and honest guidance. When you work with Townsend Myers, you work directly with an experienced attorney committed to protecting your rights, your record, and your future.
Why Clients Choose
NOLA Criminal Law
- Criminal defense is all I do
- Over 30 years of courtroom experience
- Honest, straightforward communication
- Direct access to your attorney
- Available when you need help most
- Personal attention, never just a case number
- Deep familiarity with New Orleans courts
- Focused on protecting your future, not just your case
What Clients Say
Many clients come to me after reading my Google reviews. I take pride in providing professional, responsive, and effective representation.
From the Blog
Straightforward explanations and practical guidance on criminal law, court procedures, and recent legal issues that may affect your case.
How Predicate Offenses for Felon-with-a-Firearm Charges Differ Between State and Federal Court in Louisiana
Learn how predicate offenses for felon-with-a-firearm charges differ between Louisiana state court and federal court, including recent Fifth Circuit rulings.
Your Rights When Interacting With ICE in Louisiana
Individuals in Louisiana generally have the right to remain silent, to decline entry into their home without a judicial warrant,
What a Fifth Circuit Case Means for Federal Searches
A recent Fifth Circuit decision highlights how narrowly federal courts analyze Fourth Amendment claims, especially where officer safety and qualified
Louisiana Criminal Case Process: Arrest to Sentencing
A Louisiana criminal case follows a defined path from arrest through charging, court proceedings, and sentencing. Understanding each step can
Understanding the Difference Between Municipal, State, and Federal Courts in New Orleans
When someone is arrested or receives a summons in New Orleans, one of the first questions they ask is: “Which
Louisiana DWI Law Changes | Ignition Interlock Requirements Explained
Louisiana’s DWI laws were significantly revised recently, and one of the biggest updates involves mandatory ignition-interlock device (IID) requirements. Anyone
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Questions?
Check Our
FAQs
I’ve been arrested. What do I do?
Getting arrested is a serious problem, but at NOLA Criminal Law, I have been helping people like you solve serious problems for people for a long time. Let me show you how I can help you. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Talking to a lawyer should be the first step you take.
Know Your Rights. Get a Lawyer NOW.
It is important to get a qualified criminal defense attorney involved as soon as possible after arrest to help protect your rights, as well as to help friends and loved ones navigate the complexities of post-arrest court proceedings and the procedures associated with posting bail. You need to be prepared for what to do to defend yourself – what are your rights? – what should you say, and what shouldn’t you say?
You can call me immediately at (504) 571-9529, text me at (504) 237-5245, or email me using the “Contact Us” form to the right of this page. I promise your request will be answered immediately.
Were You Arrested for a Felony or Misdemeanor Crime?
If you have been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor offense, you will want to get a criminal defense attorney involved as soon as possible to protect your rights, and maintain you freedom. A criminal defense attorney may be able to help you get the charges dismissed or reduced, and in many cases can handle the case without you even having to go to court. If you have been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor crime, please click here to read more about your rights and your options going forward.
Were You Arrested for a DUI/DWI Offense?
If you have been arrested for a DUI/DWI offense, there are things you need to do immediately to protect your driving record. A DUI/DWI defense attorney can help protect your driver’s license, and even negotiate a dismissal or reduction of the charges. If you have been arrested for a DUI/DWI offense, please click here for more information about a DUI/DWI arrest.
How do I get someone out of jail?
Nothing is worse than the feeling of helplessness that goes along with being arrested for a criminal offense. The experience can be overwhelming both for the person who has been arrested, as well as their friends and loved ones. Almost certainly the first question for friends and family will be: “How do I get them out of jail?” The problem can be even bigger for arrested individuals who live out of state (students, tourists, business people, convention goers, etc.), as in many cases the standard practice of commercial bonding is limited to people with substantial ties to the area.
LET ME HELP YOU SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM. You can call my office at (504) 571-9529, text me at (504) 237-5245, or email me using the “Contact Us” form to the right of this page. I promise you will hear from me immediately, especially if you indicate that the matter involves someone who is currently incarcerated.
It is important to get a qualified criminal defense attorney involved as soon as possible after arrest to help protect the rights of the arrested person, as well as to help friends and family navigate the complexities of post-arrest court proceedings and the procedures associated with posting bail. An experienced attorney can:
- Insure that a bond is set in a timely manner
- Insure that bond is set at an appropriate amount
- Make a motion to reduce a bond that has been set too high
- Recommend a reputably bonding company to post bond
- Assist in the possible release of a defendant on their own recognizance
The possibility of obtaining an unsecured personal recognizance bond can be especially helpful for arrested individuals who live out of state, as in many cases the standard practice of commercial bonding is limited to people with substantial ties to the area. That is, if you are not from the New Orleans area most bail bond companies will not offer to bond you out of jail. That means that in many cases your only option would be to post the full cash bond, which can be prohibitively expensive, unless you secure the services of a lawyer.
In Louisiana there are several ways to go about posting bond:
Personal Recognizance
In Louisiana lawyers are allowed to request releases for their clients from judges and other elected officials for specified non-violent offenses. Most typical non-violent cases you will be inquiring about fall into this category. It requires merely that a defendant sign a promise to return to court for trial whenever notified, but does not require posting any money either with the court or with a bail bondsman. So it is quite possible that I can help you get your friend of loved on out of jail without needing to involve a bail bondsman or other surety agent. This can help save substantial time and money.
Cash Bond
You can post the entire amount of the bond in cash with the court. This, not surprisingly, is know as a cash bond. At the conclusion of the case, you will have the entire amount of the bond you posted refunded to you.
Commercial Surety (Bailbond)
You can contact a licensed bail bondsman to post a commercial surety bond, more commonly known as a bail bond. This service is helpful if you cannot afford to post the entire amount of the bond in cash. For a fee (usually around 13% of the total bond), a bail bondsman will post the total amount of the bond for you. This fee is non-refundable.
Property Bond
The court may allow real property to be posted as bond, so long as there is sufficient equity in the proposed property to cover the full amount of the bond. The court holds and records a mortgage against the property in the amount of the bond, and cancels the mortgage only after the conclusion of the case. There is sometimes a fee associated with a property bond (to cover the cost of filing and recording the mortgage).
Personal Surety Bond Undertaking (PSBU)
This is similar to an ROR bond, except it is a signature bond by someone other than the defendant who pledges (but does not post) the full amount of the bond. Typically a hearing is held where the person signing the bond must establish that they have sufficient assets to cover the bond amount should the defendant forfeit the bond by failing to appear at court. If the bond is forfeited, the court can demand the amount of the bond from the signer of the bond, otherwise no money is ever required. In Orleans Parish there is a $200.00 fee for a PSBU.
I have pending charges. What’s going to happen?
What is going to happen to my pending charges?
When you have been arrested or have charges pending, what happens next depends on the type of case you have and what city or parish it is in. Your first step should be to learn about your case and the options you have to defend it. The following is a brief outline of the procedures for misdemeanor, felony, and DUI/DWI cases in New Orleans. This information is provided as a means to answer some basic question you may have, and give you an idea of what to expect.
Nothing can take the place of a consultation with an experienced lawyer, so if you want to talk now, please call me immediately at (504) 571-9529, text me at (504) 237-5245, or email me using the Contact Us” form at the right of this page. I promise your request will be answered immediately.
Misdemeanor Cases in Municipal Court
If you have received a summons (or a subpoena from jail if you are arrested and released) for a misdemeanor charge in New Orleans, your case will be handled in New Orleans Municipal Court. You will be ordered to appear in court within approximately one to ten days from the date of the alleged offense. This is for your arraignment – to plead “guilty” or “not-guilty”. In most cases you should have a lawyer with you on that date to advise you as to the most appropriate plea.
If you are from out of town, you may have been ordered to appear in court after the date you are scheduled to leave town. This is not a problem if you have a lawyer. In most case your lawyer can represent you from beginning to end without you needing to go to court, and still achieve the result you need. Click here for more information about how I can help visitors and tourists from out of town with criminal cases in New Orleans Municipal Court.
After your arraignment, if you plead “not-guilty”, your case will be set for trial. At the trial your lawyer can try to negotiate a reduction or a dismissal of the charges. If that process does not achieve the desired result, you have a right to trial by a judge alone. There are no jury trials in Municipal Court.
Felony Cases in Criminal Court
If you have been arrested on a felony offense, your case a will be handled in Criminal Court court. If you have made bond on your charge, you will not have a set court date. The District Attorney will review the facts and circumstances of your case to determine if formal charges will be filed. This is an important time for you to consider hiring an experienced lawyer to represent you. It is possible to have your lawyer arrange to have the prosecution of your charges refused, or for the filing of greatly reduced charges.
If formal charges are filed you will be required to appear in court for an arraignment – to enter a plea to the charges – usually within two to six weeks from the date of the alleged offense. You will be required to have a lawyer appear with you at your arraignment. For a more detailed description of the proceedings in Criminal Court from arrest to sentencing, please click here.
DUI/DWI Cases
If you have a 1st or 2nd Offense DUI/DWI case in New Orleans, it will be handled in New Orleans Traffic Court (3rd Offenses DWI is a felony, and is handled in Criminal Court as described above). You will receive a notice when you bond out of jail to appear in traffic court within two to three weeks of your release. As with other types of cases, your first appearance in court is for arraignment – to plead “guilty” or “not-guilty”.
With a DUI/DWI there are certain things you must do immediately to protect your driving record. You should speak to an attorney within the first few days of your release from jail in order to accomplish this. If you don’t know what those things are, please read this.
For a general overview of trial proceedings for a typical DUI/DWI case, including the administrative hearing phase of the proceedings please see this post.
I need more information about my case. Where can I find it?
Where can I find out more information about my case?
Check out these links for helpful information about criminal law and Criminal Courts in the New Orleans area. If you have specific questions about how to access any of these sites, or you can’t find the answer to your questions here, you can call at (504) 571-9529, text me at (504) 237-5245, or email me using the “Contact Us” form to the right of this page. I promise your request will be answered immediately.
Helpful Links for New Orleans Area Criminal Law Concerns
Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office Inmate Master Search for information about inmates in Orleans Parish.
Criminal District Court Docket Master Search for information about pending court cases in Orleans Parish. I have produced a short video to help you access the Criminal Online System. Watch it here.
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court for information about or directions to the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.
U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Louisiana for information about federal court cases.
Traffic Court for information about New Orleans Traffic Court.
New Orleans Police Department for information about the New Orleans Police Department.
VINELink ver. 2.0 for information about inmates in any penal institution in Louisiana.
Municode.com | Online Library for information about City of New Orleans municipal ordinances.
Louisiana Title 14 – Criminal law – Louisiana Code for information about violations of state criminal statutes.
Questions for NOLA Criminal Law?
I have more questions…
I spend most of my working life talking to people about criminal law and criminal defense. What good is information if you can’t share it? You most certainly will have questions about court, trials, the legal process, criminal law, or whatever.
I believe in providing honest, straightforward answers to your questions. You need information, I’m here to give it to you. You may need a lawyer now, or you may just have a question. If I can help you, I am happy to do it.
You can call me at (504) 571-9529, text me at (504) 237-5245, or email me using the “Contact Us” form to the right of this page to ask your question. I promise your request will be answered immediately.