What You Should Consider When Selecting a New Orleans Criminal Attorney

Lance Robinson • Jun 17, 2021

More than 18 million people from all over the US visit New Orleansevery year. New Orleans is a great city to relax and enjoy popular cultural events, but overindulging during the festivities can have serious legal ramifications. Often, tourists are charged with public drunkenness or disturbing the peace during their stay and are unsure how this impacts them when they return home.

A DWI in Louisiana, for example, does not make you exempt from penalties and suspensions in your home state. In addition, ignoring court orders such as paying fines can result in your case being reported to the National Driver Registry and you being suspended in every state.

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, contact the Law Office of Lance J.Robinson. We have helped more than 2,400 local and out-of-town residents, and our experience with the local criminal justice system can help you fight your charges. Many of our clients are from out-of-state, and in many cases, we represent them in court, so they don’t disrupt their lives by returning to New Orleans for a court hearing.

With misdemeanor charges, we often represent the client in court. Although felony charges are more complicated, we can stand on your behalf during the first court dates until the case is accepted or rejected, depending on the jurisdiction.

If any criminal charges were filed against you during your visit to New Orleans, you need an experienced and skilled attorney who knows the local court system. However, there are certain things you should consider when selecting a New Orleans criminal attorney.

orleans criminal attorney office of lance robinson

Area of Expertise

Lawyers can specialize in a wide variety of practice areas. Therefore, you should choose a lawyer experienced in the area you need and who has worked extensively within the Louisiana lawsystem.

If you were charged with a misdemeanor or a felony in New Orleans, look for a lawyer or law office specializing in criminal defense law.

Level of Experience

As with any kind of business, some lawyers have more experience than others in criminal defense. The more cases a lawyer has handled that are similar to your particular case, the higher your chances of a successful outcome.

Lance J. Robinson is recognized as a Top 100 trial lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers organization.

Understanding of the Local Court System

You need an attorney who understands the local New Orleans court system and the local municipal code. The Law Office of Lance J. Robinsonhas been practicing law for over 25 years in New Orleans and other surrounding areas. We have worked on thousands of cases in New Orleans and have a lot of experience representing out-of-state clients.

local court system office of lance robinson

Quality of Communication

The attorney-client relationship is critical for success in any legal case. Therefore, there should be good communication between you and your attorney. At the Law Office of Lance J. Robinson, we do an in-depth investigation for every case, and we are dedicated to representing you and your best interests.

Availability

With certain misdemeanor cases in New Orleans, it's essential to act quickly to begin building your defense. However, if you feel that your attorney is overbooked or not treating your case with the urgency it deserves, consider looking for another option. At the Law Office of Lance J. Robinson, we respect our client's needs and goals.

How to Avoid Getting in Legal Trouble in New Orleans

The best way to avoid any legal trouble in New Orleans is to be aware of the most common mistakes tourists make. The first one is drinking in the French Quarter. Public intoxication is one of the most common causes of arrest in New Orleans. The French Quarter is famous for its open-container laws, and it's perfectly legal to carry alcoholic beverages as long as they aren't in a glass or bottle.

However, many people underestimate how easy it is to be arrested for public drunkenness. If you have too many drinks and cause trouble, the police will charge you with public intoxication, and they aren't required by law to give you a breathalyzer test.

Another common cause of arrest for tourists is disturbing the peace, which includes violent, loud, or obstructive behavior. Sometimes, when large crowds gather during festivals in New Orleans, the police arrest people who are acting irresponsibly as a containment measure. As a general rule, avoid crowds where people are drunk or being too loud.

Urinating in public is considered disrespectful, and the misdemeanor offense of lewd conduct has surprisingly strict consequences in New Orleans, with perpetrators facing heavy fines and potential jail time. If you visit The Big Easy for an event or festival, plan bathroom breaks into your itinerary and scope out public restrooms or hospitality venues that offer pay-per-visit or day passes to use their facilities.

How to Avoid Getting in Legal Trouble in New Orleans Office of Lance Robinson

Contact the Law Office of Lance J. Robinson

Lance J. Robinson has worked as a criminal defense and injury lawyer in New Orleans since 1997. He has extensive knowledge of the New Orleans court system and Louisiana law and can help you build your defense, even if you reside in another state. Don’t risk your future. Contact our law firm for a complimentary consultation at [email protected] or (504) 465-0101.

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If you've been charged with DWI, make sure you have a DWI attorney . 1. Drunk Driving Is A Criminal Offense While some people believe a drunk driving arrest is no different from a traffic citation, that couldn't be further from the truth. Yes, the majority of traffic offenses are civil infractions and carry no significant penalty other than a fine and a driver’s license suspension. However, a conviction for a drunk driving offenses will result in a criminal record. Even worse, it can result in significant fines or a jail sentence, or probation. A DWI conviction can remain on your driving record for a minimum of 10 years. This could influence what you pay for car insurance, likely resulting in higher insurance premiums. 2. You Do Have Constitutional Rights You Can Use One of the fundamental rights you've likely heard at some point, "right to remain silent." If the police believe you may be drunk or impaired, they will likely ask you whether you've been drinking and if so, how much you've drunk. In most cases, the majority of men and women choose to answer this question. Most attorneys will recommend being quiet. For starters, your admission alone may constitute probable cause to arrest you and give you a breathalyzer test. Secondly, some jurisdictions allow you to be charged with an impaired driving offense, even if your blood alcohol content is below the legal limit. Yeah, you need to be patient and really think this through. You should never consent to a search of your vehicle, even if you believe that you are in possession of nothing incriminating. 3. You May Face Separate Driver’s License Sanctions While you'll face a criminal charge for a drunk driving offense, you could also face DMV penalties too. Your driver’s license will be taken from you at the time of your arrest, and you'll be issued a paper license. You will get 15 days from the your arrest date to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license, if you choose to not to do so, you may be subject to driver’s license sanctions. 4. Talk To An Attorney Now If you want to know your full extent of rights and make sure they're protected, you need to consult with a lawyer who practices drunk driving defense law. An attorney familiar with DWI Defense is going to know how to challenge breath, blood, or chemical tests, how to dispute the validity of the original traffic stop, and how to best protect your license. Make sure you consult a lawyer if you have do have a prior impaired driving conviction, Louisiana usually imposes more serious penalties on repeat offenders than on first time drunk drivers. Criminal defense attorney Lance J. Robinson has over 20 years of criminal law experience. Call us today for a free consult at 504-465-0101 - or you can this contact form .
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