Felony Attorneys in Grainger County

If you face felony charges in Grainger County, Tennessee, you likely have numerous concerns and questions. Can felony charges be dropped? How long does a felony stay on your record? A Grainger County felony lawyer from Daniel, Daniel, & Newman can answer these questions — and fight for your rights, interests, and freedom.

Join the many Eastern Tennessee residents who, for over 80 years, have benefited from the Daniel name for their criminal legal needs. Evan M. Newman continues to carry on the legacy of high-quality legal representation that his great-uncle Creed Daniel and his son, the late Dirk Daniel, long provided the firm’s clients in Grainger County. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your criminal defense needs.

How a Grainger County Lawyer Can Help with Felony Charges

Retaining a skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can positively impact how a felony affects your life. Do you need assistance to reduce a felony to misdemeanor charges? Are you seeking legal representation related to Tennessee drug felonies? You can be confident you will receive a customized defense strategy based on the unique circumstances of your case with attorney Evan Newman on your side.

As we pursue the best possible resolution of your felony charges, we can analyze the alleged facts and circumstances that led to the charges and identify and expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you. At Daniel, Daniel, & Newman, we understand how challenging facing felony charges can be. Let Evan, a reputable felony lawyer in Grainger County, help you in your time of need.

What Is a Felony Charge?

Tennessee law recognizes five classes of felonies, which carry the following penalties:

• Class A – The highest felony level means you will receive a sentence of not less than 15 but no more than 60 years in prison. A jury may also assess a fine not to exceed $50,000 (unless otherwise provided by statute).
• Class B – This felony carries a potential sentence of eight to 30 years with a possible fine of no more than $25,000 unless otherwise provided by statute.
• Class C – A Class C felony in Tennessee means you are subject to a minimum prison sentence of three years and a maximum sentence of 15 years, with a maximum fine of $10,000, unless otherwise provided by statute.
• Class D – If you are found guilty of a Class D felony, you could receive a prison sentence ranging from two to 12 years. Unless otherwise provided by statute, a jury could assess a fine of up to $5,000.
• Class E – A Class E felony is the lowest level in Tennessee. It carries a sentence of at least one year in prison but not more than six years. The fine will not exceed $3,000 unless otherwise provided by statute.

Common Types of Felony Cases We Handle

At Daniel, Daniel, & Newman, we have extensive experience handling a wide range of felony cases, including felony DUI in Tennessee. The following are common types of cases that are classified as felonies:

• Violent Crimes – Examples of these crimes include murder, assault, and kidnapping.
• Domestic Violence and Child Abuse – Prior convictions for domestic assault within a specified time frame can result in a Class E felony charge.
• Weapons Crimes – Possessing certain weapons, such as explosives or machine guns, can result in felony charges.
• Drug Charges – Aside from simple possession (which can be a felony if specific conditions are met), drug crimes for possession with the intent to sell are felonies.
• White-Collar Crimes – Embezzlement and money laundering are white-collar felony cases in Tennessee.
• Property Crimes – Examples of property crimes that can result in felony charges are arson and theft over $500, and the felony level for theft increases depending on the stolen property’s value.

Can Felony Charges Be Dropped?

It is possible to have felony charges dismissed. This likely means your attorney has convinced the prosecutor through compelling evidence that dropping the charges is appropriate. Having charges dismissed means your case is over. However, you may need to have to petition for expungement because the dismissal could still appear on your criminal record.

Can Felony Charges Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor?

In some cases, felony charges can be reduced to misdemeanor charges. Retaining a skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer is critical to helping you reduce your charges. Your attorney may attempt this through plea bargaining or directly petitioning the court.

A plea bargain is a common criminal defense strategy in which you plead guilty to a lesser offense than you were charged with in exchange for receiving a reduced charge (such as a misdemeanor). This tactic helps avoid the uncertainty of trial.

Petitioning the court is another strategy your attorney may employ in an effort to reduce a felony conviction to a misdemeanor once convicted. Your attorney may argue that your limited (or lack of) criminal history, circumstances of the subject offense, or cooperation on probation warrant a reduced charge. When deciding how to rule on this petition, the court may consider these factors and whether you have any pending criminal charges.

Is Probation for a Felony a Possibility?

If you are facing felony charges, you may wonder, “Can you get probation for a felony?” While it is possible to get probation for some felonies in Tennessee, you are only eligible under certain limited circumstances. An example is if you are a first-time offender and the offense at issue is a non-violent crime.

When you reach out to our law firm, you may discuss your case with Evan, an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help assess your eligibility for probation.

How Long Could a Felony Stay on My Record?

Unless you and your attorney petition the court to have a felony expunged from your record, it will stay there permanently.

You will be eligible to pursue expungement five years after you have completed your sentence for a Class E felony (or 10 years for a Class C or D felony) and met any other requirements, including paying all fines and court costs. Further, you may not have any other convictions within that time frame.

As your attorney, Evan can help you determine whether your felony conviction is eligible for expungement and the period you must wait before seeking to have it expunged.

What Is the Three Strikes Law in Tennessee?

The Three Strikes Law is Tennessee’s habitual offender law, which increases the penalties for those convicted of multiple serious or violent crimes. The law applies to Class A and Class B felonies.

As an example, suppose you have two prior violent felony convictions and are convicted of a third violent felony, such as murder or sex offenses. In this case, you will be considered a repeat violent offender and subject to a mandatory life sentence without parole.

What Are the Penalties for a Felony Conviction?

The following are some examples of the penalties you may face if convicted of the following felonies:

• Murder – Penalties range from the death penalty to life in prison without parole to lesser prison sentences depending on the murder degree.
• Rape – This is a Class B felony, meaning your prison sentence can range between eight and 30 years with a fine of up to $25,000.
• Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence – This Class C felony merits a prison sentence between three and 15 years and a significant fine.
• Kidnapping – Penalties for this Class C felony include a minimum three-year prison sentence.
• Grand Theft – The penalties for grand theft, including the length of prison time and the amount of the fine, depend on the value of the property stolen.
• Carjacking – This is a serious Class B felony, meaning you could spend up to 30 years in prison.
• Assault with a Firearm – This form of aggravated assault is a Class C felony, carrying a minimum three-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Aggravated Battery – As with assault with a firearm, this is a Class C felony.

What to Expect If You’ve Been Arrested on Felony Charges

If you are arrested and felony charges are filed against you, you can expect the following steps in the legal process:

• Arraignment – This is your first court appearance in your case, during which you will be formally charged and asked to enter a plea concerning the charges.
• Pre-Trial Proceedings – This refers to numerous tasks and events between your arraignment and trial, including the investigation, any discovery between your attorney and the prosecutor, and additional hearings.
• Trial – At your trial, a judge or jury will decide whether you are guilty of the crime you have been charged with based on the evidence presented by your attorney and the prosecutor.
• Sentencing – This is the final step of the process. Once convicted, the sentencing hearing is where punishment is ordered.

Contact a Grainger County Felony Attorney Today

When you retain Daniel, Daniel, & Newman in your criminal case, you can trust you will receive the strong legal advocacy you need from our Christ-centered firm. We share the morals and ideals valued in the Grainger County community, so you can be confident we will meet you with compassion and offer the personalized legal services you deserve.

We are proud of our hard-earned reputation and our clients’ high satisfaction rate when we assist them with their criminal defense needs. Call today to speak to Evan Newman, a seasoned Grainger County felony attorney, in a free consultation to learn more about how he can help you.