Somerset Criminal Defense Attorneys Standing Up For Your Rights

Being arrested for a crime can seriously derail your future. If police officers wish to interrogate you, be kind and cooperate, but do not speak to them until you have consulted with an experienced criminal attorney first. The Sixth Amendment gives anyone under prosecution the right to an attorney, and your future may be brighter if you utilize that right. You also have the right to deny testifying against yourself per the Fifth Amendment, meaning, at any point of the case, you cannot be forced to speak to police officers or prosecutors.

If you have been arrested in Somerset or surrounding areas of Kentucky, whether for a felony or a misdemeanor charge, keep quiet and calm and contact The Law Office of Jeremy A. Bartley, PSC, to schedule a free consultation with our criminal defense attorneys.

How Do Misdemeanor And Felony Charges Differ?

Here are some key areas of difference when it comes to these two charge levels:

• Maximum jail/prison time: The maximum possible sentence for a misdemeanor is a year or less. Felony charges, meanwhile, have maximums of over a year. The exact maximum you could face depends on the charge and what felony/misdemeanor class it falls into.
• Process: Each of these two charge types has its own unique processes and procedures connected to it. Felony cases tend to be more complex.
• Post-conviction rights: Felony convictions can result in the loss of more rights, such as the right to gun ownership.

With a combined two decades of experience, both Jeremy and Kerri Bartley have handled nearly every misdemeanor and felony charge, from DUIs to capital murders. Having been on both sides, our team has the ability to negotiate and the courage to fight.

What Consequences Could You Face?

Criminal charges can open the door to a range of severe consequences. These may include:

• Loss of your freedom: You could face jail/prison time.
• Financial turmoil: You could end up having to pay large fines or restitution payments.
• A criminal record: A conviction can put a mark on your record that could impact your career and housing opportunities.
• Loss of driving privileges: A conviction on certain charges, such as DUI, could lead to your license being suspended or revoked.
• Reputation damages: Your personal and professional reputation could suffer greatly.

Our team is ready to explore your options and seek to reduce your exposure to such negative impacts.

Helping You Navigate Kentucky Murder And Manslaughter Charges

In Kentucky, homicide covers four different crimes. From most serious to least serious, they are murder, first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, and reckless homicide.

What differentiates murder and manslaughter in the state of Kentucky is malice. If a person intentionally kills somebody, he or she will be charged with murder. If a person did not intend to kill or injure the other person, he or she will be charged with manslaughter. Kentucky utilizes the death penalty for capital offenses, including murder.

A person commits reckless homicide when he or she negligently causes the death of another person. If a person disregards an unjustifiable risk, and another person dies, that would be considered a reckless homicide.

If you have been charged with murder or manslaughter, our lawyers are ready to provide you with the strong defense you need.

Understanding Kentucky Rape Charges

Rape is defined as non-consensual sexual intercourse. The state of Kentucky recognizes three different degrees of rape:

• First-degree rape – Having sexual intercourse with another person by force, or with someone who is not able to consent because he or she is either physically helpless or is younger than 12 years old
• Second-degree rape – Being 18 years old or older and having sexual intercourse with a person who is either younger than 14 years old or with someone who is mentally indisposed
• Third-degree rape – Having sexual intercourse with someone who is not able to give consent because he or she has an intellectual disability; the offender is 21 years old or older, and the victim is younger than 16 years old; the offender is 21 years old or older, and the victim is younger than 18 years old and lives in the actor’s foster home; the offender holds a position of authority over the victim, who is under 18.

All degrees of rape are felonies. A conviction can result in anywhere from one to 20 years in prison, or more if the victim is under the age of 12. If you have been charged with rape or any other sex crime, reach out to our team immediately for guidance on your options.

Kentucky DUI Law – The Basics

In Kentucky, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle if:

• You have a BAC level of 0.08% or more
• You are under the influence of any other substance, such as drugs, that will hinder your ability to drive
• You are under the age of 21 and have a BAC level of 0.02% or more

A first offense of a DUI can be punishable by a fine of $200 to $500 and imprisonment for 48 hours to 30 days. First-offense DUIs in Kentucky can restart after 10 years, meaning, if you were convicted of a DUI one year and again 10 or more years later, it would be sentenced as a first offense, not a second offense.

If you have been charged with a DUI, our drunk driving attorneys are here to help.

What If You Are Offered A Plea Bargain?

A plea bargain is agreement in which you plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for prosecutors pursuing a lighter sentence or letting other charges go. While it can be tempting to take a plea deal to get the whole thing over with and take the most serious potential consequences off the table, it’s crucial to carefully consider your options. Accepting a plea deal can have long-term impacts on your criminal record and other aspects of your life. Our criminal defense lawyers can help you evaluate the pros and cons of any plea offer.

What If You Are Convicted?

If you are convicted, you generally have the right to appeal the decision. You typically need to file the initial paperwork within 30 days of the conviction. So, it is necessary to act quickly.

An appeal allows you to challenge errors that may have occurred during your trial. Our team can guide you through the process.

Why Choose Our Firm?

Your choice of lawyer can make a big difference when you are facing criminal charges. You want an advocate you can rely on to be there for you and fight for your rights at every step.

Our Somerset attorneys understand how difficult dealing with a criminal charge can be. That is why they are dedicated to providing personalized, insightful and aggressive defense representation. Our team treats you as family, putting your needs first. We will aggressively stand up for you, doing everything we can to ensure you are treated fairly throughout the process. We will relentlessly pursue solutions that protect your future. Our experienced and knowledgeable lawyers stand ready to begin building your defense.

Schedule A Free Consultation Today

Being charged with a crime is never easy. However, our criminal defense attorneys at The Law Office of Jeremy A. Bartley, PSC, are here for you. Whether you are facing a sex crime or a DUI charge, we are on your side. Contact us by calling 606-485-1713 or sending an email to schedule a free consultation. We will fight for your freedom. Our team proudly defends clients throughout the commonwealth of Kentucky, including Laurel County, Wayne County, Lincoln County, Casey County and Russell County.