Criminal Defense

A felony in Alabama is an offense that is punishable by over a year in jail. Sentences can be up to life in prison, however. If you have been charged with a felony, you need to take action. A felony conviction can affect you for the rest of your life.

Do not just assume that you have no defense just because a police officer or prosecutor seems confident about their case. Instead, set up an appointment with Alyse Fowler Law LLC to discuss your situation. We can give you a realistic evaluation of your case and let you know what defenses might be available to you. We will also walk you through your legal rights and obligations as you move through the criminal adjudication process.

Our team has experience in felony matters, including things like theft, sex offenses, drug crimes, probation violations, assault, and more. Speak with our team about your situation, and we can explain the potential punishments, how the criminal process works, and more. We can also help you communicate with incarcerated loved ones as well.

Don’t wait to get help with a felony charge. You should take action as soon as you or a loved one have been charged in Elba, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Geneva, Dale and surrounding counties. Contact Alyse Fowler Law LLC by calling 334-697-4020.

A misdemeanor charge in Alabama may not seem like a big deal, but it is. Even misdemeanor charges can have profound impacts on your life for years to come. These charges come with punishments of jail time for up to one year and fines of up to $6,000. Alabama also has a minimum amount of jail time for any misdemeanor that is motivated by a victim’s ethnicity, religion, national origin, or disability.

Alabama has the option for those charged with a misdemeanor to suspend their sentence in some cases. That means that even if you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you might be able to stop the required jail time and only have probation. The probation time will often have very specific conditions that you must meet, and any violation of those conditions can mean that you will have to serve the jail time that you suspended. Our team can explore options for you to avoid jail time, even after a misdemeanor conviction.

Examples of misdemeanors in the Elba, Alabama area might include theft, domestic violence, possession of marijuana, some forms of assault, harassment, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Whatever the charge, if it happened in Elba, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Geneva, Dale and surrounding counties, Alyse Fowler Law LLC can help. Learn more by calling our office to schedule a consultation.

Expungements

In some cases, those who have been charged with a crime can expunge their records. Expungement is a legal term that generally means that the record is removed from your criminal history. While an expunged record still appears in some criminal background checks, most non-governmental entities or individuals who look for your criminal history will not be able to see an expunged record.

Expungement is valuable for Alabama residents for many reasons. Perhaps you simply want to clean up your criminal record so potential employers, credit reporting agencies, or others checking your background do not see a criminal charge. Keep in mind that, without expungement, the charge itself stays on your record even if you are found not guilty or if the charge is dismissed. Expungement can be particularly valuable in this type of situation because it is clear that you were not convicted.

Most non-felony charges can be expunged if you meet certain requirements. Non-violent felony charges can also be expunged as well. Charges will often qualify to be expunged if:

• You were found not guilty
• The charge was dismissed
• The charge was no-billed by a grand jury
• Enough time has passed from the date of the charge

Contact Alyse Fowler Law LLC to learn more about expungement and whether it would be a good option for you. We can not only help you decide if you qualify, but we can walk you through the expungement process as well.

Pardons

The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles addresses pardon requests throughout the state. Unlike an expungement, a pardon restores a person’s rights after a conviction. In many cases, those convicted of felonies or other crimes lose certain rights after the conviction, including the right to vote, the right to hold office, the right to sit on a jury, or the right to have firearms. A pardon allows someone to get those rights back by using a formalized process.

If you would like a pardon, you must request one from the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. Then, at a hearing, the Board will review your application and decide whether all or some of your rights should be reinstated.

You must have completed all of the requirements set out as part of your sentence before you can apply for a pardon. These include any jail time, fines, parole, or payment of victim restoration. Certain criminal convictions will never qualify for a pardon. These more serious charges include things like murder, rape, sexual abuse, and many sex crimes involving a minor.

Alyse Fowler Law LLC can help you work through the pardon process. We can help you fill out the correct paperwork and represent you as the Board works through the investigation process. Contact us to learn more about our pardon services.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Drivers are considered legally drunk if they are over the age of 21 and their blood alcohol level (BAC) is .08 or more. Commercial vehicle drivers cannot have a BAC of .04 or more. Drivers under the age of 21 are considered legally intoxicated if they have a BAC of .02 or over.

Driving under the influence (DUI) convictions come with serious consequences in Alabama. A first conviction can result in jail time of up to one year and a fine of between $600 and $2,100. Your license will also be suspended for 90 days. You must also take a DUI or substance abuse course as part of your penalties as well.

Do not assume that you cannot do anything to fight back against a DUI charge. Instead, you can take steps to assert your legal rights after a charge. Alyse Fowler Law LLC can help with this process, but you need to speak with our team as soon as possible after a charge. Involving our office early will increase your chances of minimal jail time and monetary penalties. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help after a DUI charge or to set up an appointment with our team. We serve those have been charged in Elba, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Geneva, Dale and surrounding counties.