This is the next post in my series on the handling of felony charges in the state of Arkansas. My last article discussed the handling of Class “A” felony matters. It is important to understand that such charges can result in a sentence of six to thirty years. This is in addition to the other potential consequences which flow from having a permanent criminal record. If you are facing such a situation then it is strongly suggested that you speak with an attorney immediately. In this article I will be discussing what one should expect after they have been charged with a Class “B” felony. If you have had a run in with law enforcement then contact my office today to speak with a Little Rock criminal defense lawyer.
Arkansas Class “B” felonies carry a sentence of five to twenty years in prison
Class “B” felony charges can result in a prison sentence of five to twenty years in the state of Arkansas. Additionally, a defendant may face fines of up to $15,000. This is in addition to the penalties which a defendant may face for any other charges that are “stacked” on top of the Class B felony. Also, one will also face the lifelong consequences which stem from being a convicted felon. These include being prohibited from owning a firearm, difficulties in passing a background check, being disqualified from employment or housing, etc.
Common examples of Class B felonies include battery, certain drug possession charges, intentionally using a deadly weapon against a family member, etc. How to best defend against the charges will depend on the facts of the situation as well as the charges which the prosecutor has pursued. The strategy employed in defending against drug charges, for example, would be vastly different from the approach used to defend against an assault charge. The former will often hinge on search and seizure issues while the latter may revolve around claims of self-defense, mistaken identity, etc. An experienced attorney can assist you in developing the best course of action to defend against the charges you are facing.
Defendants who are facing Class “B” felony charges have options
It is understandable that many individuals feel that they do not have any options available to them after they have been charged with a crime. This feeling can stem from a belief that a conviction is imminent. The fact of the matter, however, is that an accused individual has many options as to how they may proceed. First, depending on the facts of the matter there may be a number of options for attempting to defend yourself outright. These options can include narrowing the evidence against you through pretrial Motions or defending the charges outright at trial. Furthermore, even if there is not an outright defense, it may be possible to reach a favorable resolution with the prosecutor. The main takeaway is to remember that you have choices as to how to proceed in such matters.
If you are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a Little Rock criminal defense lawyer. I understand the serious nature of felony charges and my office will give your case the attention it deserves. We also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff, and throughout the rest of Arkansas.