This post concludes and recaps our series on the handling of Little Rock, Arkansas criminal cases which involve guns. We felt it necessary to write on this topic due to the fact that some defendants are surprised at the extent to which they face serious charges in such matters. It is our hope that, by writing these articles, we have provided information which will help people to better understand their situation. It is also our hope that the information we have provided will help people to make a more informed decision when the time comes for them to select a criminal defense lawyer. If you require assistance then contact our office today to speak with an attorney.
We have addressed multiple topics over our recent articles. Issues which we have analyzed include:
- How search and seizure issues impact gun related cases
- How the use of a gun will elevate other charges
- How guns impact federal prosecutions
These are important topics for residents of our area to understand. First, it is not uncommon for law enforcement to recover a firearm through the violation of a defendant’s constitutional rights. If the police violated the Fourth Amendment, and engaged in an unconstitutional search and seizure, then it is possible to have the gun excluded from evidence. Depending on the nature of the charges such an exclusion may lead to a dismissal of the case. Second, if you use a gun while committing another offense then the charges for that other offense will likely be enhanced. One charged with burglary, for example, will likely be charged with aggravated burglary if they were carrying a firearm. Finally, the United States Government has its own laws which must be followed. It is a federal offense to carry a gun after one has previously been convicted of a felony or of domestic violence. Also, using a gun during the commission of other federal crimes can lead to enhanced charges for those offenses.
One point that we have stressed through each of these articles is that it is critical to contact a lawyer if you have such charges. A conviction can mean incarceration, a permanent record, and potential disqualification from employment. Our attorneys have extensive experience in handling such matters and we are ready to assist you. Contact us today. In addition to Little Rock, we also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff and throughout the rest of the state.