Decatur Alabama Municipal Court Attorney

Decatur Municipal Court Attorney

Best Decatur AL Criminal Defense Lawyer

Priceville Municipal Court Attorney

Attorney

Municipal Attorney

If you have been charged with a municipal court offense in Decatur, Priceville or Hartselle, Alabama, the good news is that such offenses are misdemeanors or violations. The cases carry a maximum penalty of 365 days in jail. If you have been charged in Decatur, it is a good idea to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer when charged with a city offense.

DO I EVEN NEED TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY?

Yes, you definitely need to hire an attorney to represent you if you want to avoid a conviction on your permanent criminal record. A conviction will show up on your criminal background check, and that will prevent you from getting a job or renting an apartment. You need to speak with a criminal defense attorney who has experience working in Decatur city court.

HOW DOES MUNICIPAL COURT WORK?

Normally, there are two appearances for Municipal Court matters. The first appearance is usually listed as an arraignment. You normally go to court on your first appearance and enter a “not guilty” plea. There are only two words you need to know – not guilty. The court magistrate or court personnel will then schedule your second appearance, which is a trial date. The prosecutor does not plea bargain with you at the first appearance because he or she will often times not even have your file.

The second appearance is your chance to speak with the prosecutor or have a trial. If your case is resolved, it will be placed on your record. The judge will impose your sentence (e.g., fine, jail, license suspension, etc…) If not settled, often times your case will be continued once or more. If not settled, at some point the judge will hold a trial, unless you stipulate and appeal the case to circuit court. More than 99% of all cases are resolved before trial. Plea bargaining is the norm in Municipal Court. Prosecutors are given discretion to settle the case in their best judgment.

Defending clients in Priceville municipal court

Ferguson & Ferguson has over a decade of experience fighting for the rights of clients in Decatur, Priceville and Hartselle municipal courts in Morgan County, Alabama. Municipal courts in Alabama hear a wide range of matters, including traffic violations, DUIs, drug charges and several municipal ordinance violations. If you have been charged in Decatur Municipal Court, choose the experienced attorneys who have handled over 1,000 criminal cases. Our law firm has over 60 years of experience in representing individuals charged with municipal court violations such as: traffic violations, drug violations and other minor criminal offenses in the municipal courts of the Alabama.

Why Hire an Attorney

Mishandling of a municipal court charge can result in a conviction on your record, thousands of dollars of unnecessary fines and costs, suspension of your driver’s license and up to 365 days in jail. Further, in Alabama it stays on your record forever.

Municipal Violations

Our attorney’s handle the following Huntsville municipal court violations, including, but not limited to:

  • Resisting Arrest
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Probation Violations
  • Shop Lifting/TOP 4th
  • Following too closely
  • Unsafe lane change
  • Trespass
  • Public Drunkenness
  • Traffic Violations
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
  • Speeding Tickets
  • Driving with a Revoked or Suspended License
  • Driving without Insurance
  • Reckless Driving
  • Drug Possession and Paraphernalia
  • Domestic Violence

Should you have a matter pending before the Decatur, Hartselle or Priceville Municipal Courts and have any questions, feel free to call us now. Call 256-350-7200. We can help by getting your case dismissed, getting you into a pre-trial intervention program, negotiating your case to a lesser offense or winning your case at trial. We are here to help.

Huntsville Office Location:
303 Williams Avenue SW
Suite 321
Huntsville, AL 35801

Decatur Office Location:
211 Oak Street NE
Decatur, AL 35601