Practice Areas
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The Criminal Defenders - Jim Williams and Associates
The Law Office of Jim Williams and Associates represents clients
charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes in Tennessee and Virginia.
If you or a loved one have been arrested or are being investigated
for a crime, call today for your free case evaluation.
If you or a loved one are or may be facing criminal charges, you
need to seek the advice of an aggressive criminal defense lawyer
immediately! Right now, you are probably filled with fear, you have a million
questions and you 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 lawyer can evaluate your case and determine the likelihood
of success at trial or, in the alternative, negotiate a favorable plea-bargain.
Violating the laws in Tennessee or Virginia can result in harsh punishments,
such as incarceration and excessive fines. However, being charged
with a criminal offense does not have to devastate your entire life.
The Law Offices of Jim Williams and 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.
- Felony and Misdemeanor Crimes
DUI, Drunk Driving, Driving Under The Influence, Driving While Intoxicated,
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, Expungement, 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 drug, 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 Violence/Assault
Experience has shown that many domestic assaults charges are filed in retaliation to divorce or other domestic difficulties. Unfortunately, Tennessee and VIrginia domestic assault allegations are considered by the divorce court and therefore must be vigorously defended in criminal 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
Our criminal appeals attorney can handle any type of criminal appeal, including allegations of ineffective assistance of counsel claims. If you feel that you were wrongly convicted, please contact a criminal appeals attorney today and schedule a free confidential case evaluation.
- Warrants - Bonds - Expungments
Warrants
Our warrants lawyer 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
Our bond hearings lawyer can represent you in your criminal trial, or for the limited purpose of your bond hearing. If you would like experienced representation at your bond hearing, please contact an experienced bond hearings lawyer today and schedule a free confidential evaluation.
Expungement
Our expungement attorney can seek an expungement of your crime as part of a plea bargain or sentencing hearing. If you have already been convicted, and if the judge 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.
- Sex Crimes
Tennessee/Virginia Sex Crime Punishments and Sentencing
In Tennessee and Virginia, 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.
If you are convicted of a sex crime, chances are that you are looking at serious jail time, often without the benefit of parole. Sex offenses are often viewed as 100% crimes, meaning you will serve 100% of your sentence -- no parole.
To make matters worse, often you are charged with several offenses. If the judge 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 you need to comply with sex offender registration requirements. These registration requirements include Internet publication and will dictate your living requirements. 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 with a blood alcohol level of .08 or greater or while ones driving is impaired by alcohol or illegal or prescription drugs.
In Tennessee, there is an implied consent (you agree to it when you sign for your drivers license) to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test when a police officer has probable cause to believe that your driving is impaired due to drugs or alcohol. That means that 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)he 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 the test you can still be charged with driving while impaired (DWI ) / Driving under the influence (DUI) if the state 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 state must show that the drugs impaired your ability to drive. The evidence the state 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.
Field sobriety tests, which are typically walking a strait line, standing on one foot, and similar tests are not required to be performed and a person does not risk loosing their license for refusing these tests.
Virginia DUI / DWI drunk driving and Virginia reckless driving are Virginia Criminal Class 1 Misdemeanor charges carrying the possibility of up to one year imprisonment, fines up to $2500 and/or license suspensions. Some Virginia DUI / DWI cases require mandatory jail time upon convictions - these cases are termed "Virginia DUI/DWI Enhanced Punishment" cases.
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