Huntsville, Alabama 35801
The Law Offices of Segal & Segal
It's one of the most humiliating, most terrifying, and most traumatic things that can happen to a person: being arrested. It could have been out of the blue, or it could have been expected. Regardless, even if you've been through this before, if you or a loved one are arrested in or around Huntsville, you're likely deeply worried about what will happen next, and what the rest of life holds for you or your loved one.
In times like this, you can turn to someone who will guide you. Someone who has been on both sides of the Huntsville criminal justice system, and understands the process. Someone who will use that knowledge and understanding for you. Someone who can review all of your options and help you determine what is best for you. Someone who will be on your side through the entire process.
Huntsville Criminal Defense Lawyer
Our Huntsville criminal defense lawyers at The Law Offices Of Segal & Segal will represent you in these tough times. We stand by our clients and fight for their rights. For us, representing clients accused of breaking the law is never about defending criminals — it's about defending people. Some of the people we defendant are wrongly accused. Others may have made a mistake. Whether our clients seek justice or mercy, it is our honor and privilege to represent them to the best of our ability and to make sure that they are treated in accordance with the standards and principles of justice.
When the government charges a person with committing a crime, and when it engages in the process to prove a person's guilt, is a time when the accused needs the best representation he can possibly obtain. As criminal defense attorneys, we see our job as fighting in the front lines of liberty in Huntsville-area courts to protect our clients and to ensure that they are treated with justice and mercy.
We defend the innocent and seek mercy for those who've made mistakes. What we do is an essential pillar holding up the principles of justice in our country. We take our jobs, at our clients freedom, seriously.
We are passionate about what we do. We have spent many years on both sides of the courtroom and have over 40 years of combined experience. When you choose The Law Offices Of Segal & Segal to fight for you, you get lawyers with extensive experience who care about getting you the very best possible result. Whether it's fighting the charges in front of the jury, showing a judge how your DUI arrest was improper and evidence should be thrown out, seeking an acquittal, or helping you through a first-time offenders program or drug court so your charges will be dismissed, we'll be there every step of the way, at your side and on your side. Call us today at (256) 533-4529 or send an online message, and we will set up a free consultation at absolutely no cost to discuss your charges and your options with you.
We serve clients throughout the Huntsville-Decatur area, in municipal courts, district courts, circuit courts or whatever court in which we are needed in criminal defense matters. Our service area includes Madison County, Morgan County, Marshall County, Limestone County and Jackson County, and the cities of Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Albertville, Scottsboro, Hartselle, Boaz, Gunterville, Arab or any other surrounding city or location.
Our Huntsville Lawyers Have Experience on Both Sides of the Criminal Court
Criminal court is an adversarial proceeding — it's the state of Alabama vs. you, the defendant. On their side, they have some very bright minds and some very experienced hands, who will be working very hard to prove their charges against you. Your best bet is to have someone on your side who is a formidable match for their skill and their knowledge — and even better if they've been in the shoes of the prosecutor, and know, from personal experience, how a prosecutor's mind works. At The Law Offices Of Segal & Segal, our Huntsville criminal defense attorneys have just that experience.
Andrew Segal is a former prosecutor. Before going into private practice, Andrew served as an Assistant Attorney General, prosecuting cases for the state of Alabama. He then became an Assistant District Attorney for Madison County, serving as a prosecutor in some of the same courts he now defends clients in. Sandra Segal served as an Assistant City Attorney for Huntsville, prosecuting cases in Huntsville court. She also has vast experience in different courtrooms as a litigator. Since 1996, both have represented the accused in criminal court, defending the constitutional rights of people who have been charged for crimes.
At The Law Offices Of Segal & Segal, we recognize our profession is one of honor, and that's how we practice. We serve our clients with the kind of integrity we feel our profession deserves. We are officers of the court. We play a vital role in ensuring that our system of justice stays true, and we would never act in a way that compromises that role. The reputation of your lawyer is extremely important, since they are your representative in the criminal justice system.
It is critical that your lawyer maintain integrity and honesty, and be known as an honest dealer in Huntsville courtrooms, with the trust and respect of judges, jurors, and even prosecutors. When we zealously defend you and your interests, sometimes it's necessary to negotiate with prosecutors and judges, whether to seek reduced charges that could mean the difference between prison and probation, or to convince them to allow you in drug court or a first time offender program that would allow you to keep your record clean.
We deal with our clients, the courts and the prosecution with integrity. If the prosecutor distrusts your lawyer, he or she will be treated differently, and it may have a negative effect on the results of your case. By acting with honor and integrity, the prosecution may be more willing to share evidence, and it could have a tremendous effect on what they are willing to offer to resolve your case.
Penalties for Alabama Convictions Can Be Harsh. Have an Advocate
Alabama is a state with harsh sanctions on its books for people convicted of crimes. For misdemeanors, jail time can be up to a year, and fines may range up to $6,000. For felonies, prison time ranges from more than a year to life in prison without chance of parole. The state is particularly harsh on drug offenders. If convicted of possessing any controlled substance other than enough marijuana for personal use, even prescription drugs, you will be facing felony charges in Huntsville. Drug trafficking is even more extreme, with minimum fines of up to $500,000 and the possibility of life in prison for merely possessing a certain amount of narcotics.
For any conviction, jail time and fines are just the beginning of potential consequences. This is especially true for sex crimes. If convicted of a sex crime, you will be required to register as a sex offender in a database available to anyone, publicly branding you with a crime that carries a heavy stigma, possibly for the rest of your life. However, since Alabama law does not allow for expungement, any criminal record can stay with you. A conviction for misdemeanor theft, for example, could keep you from achieving your dream job, keep you out of the apartment you want to rent, keep you from getting the loan you need or keep you from enrolling in the school you desire. Don't be unprepared because a shoplifting charge seems minor. Be ready with a Huntsville theft attorney.
You Can Fight the Charges With a Madison County Criminal Defense Attorney
A criminal defense attorney is there to look out for your interests, and zealously defend them. With domestic violence charges, for instance, it may feel like the whole world is against you, as even loved ones are hurling accusations. As your attorney, we are here to take your side. We'll listen to your story.
Regardless of how awful the accusation is the prosecution must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. That means that they must show that there is no reasonable possibility, , that anything happened other than what they have claimed.. As your defense attorneys, we seek to show the weaknesses in the states case and to establish reasonable doubt. We recognize that not everyone wants a trial. Some people come to us who recognize that they have made a mistake. In those cases we will help you to look at the options that may be available to you. Many people may find that they qualify for a pretrial intervention program that allows him to avoid a criminal conviction. This program applies to many first-time offenders, as well as some individuals who have a prior criminal history, depending on the particular circumstances of their case in their criminal history.
If you face drug charges or charges that are related to drug use, you may also be eligible for drug court. Drug court is a program that seeks to rehabilitate drug users into productive citizens, rather than just punish them. With drug court and Madison County's pretrial intervention programs, your charges are dismissed upon completion of the program, giving you a record clear of convictions. A Huntsville drug defense attorney can help you evaluate whether you are eligible for the program, and will advocate for your acceptance to the program.
The Law Offices Of Segal & Segal | Madison County Criminal Defense Attorney
You may be facing the most terrifying time of your life, a time that could have huge consequences. Don't face it alone. Face it with someone who will zealously defend your constitutional rights. Face it with someone who has the experience to guide you through. At The Law Offices Of Segal & Segal, we are here to represent you in any criminal proceeding. Call us today at (256) 533-4529 or send an online message, and we'll set up a free consultation to go over your charges with you.
