Baton Rouge Criminal Defense Law Blog

When you stepped on a Louisiana college campus as an enrolled student, you likely brought several suitcases, storage bins and random package containers filled with anything and everything you could think of that you might need during your first semester. In addition to physical items, you may have also started the school year with a list of goals that you hoped to achieve during your college career. It typically takes several years to accomplish such goals.

Many issues can arise in the meantime that can throw you off course. You might suffer illness, such as the flu, that impairs your ability to keep up with your assignments or study for a test, which may, in turn, have negative consequences. A big part of your college life may also include the local social scene. If you run into trouble there, such as a traffic stop or DWI arrest, it can not only have immediate repercussions, it can lead to expulsion from school, as well as serious legal problems.

While it is likely an overwhelming time emotionally, those accused of murder or other Louisiana homicide crimes should take the time to protect their name and assert their rights in the matter. Doing so could help the accused clear their name and avoid harsh penalties. In this respect, it may be helpful to understand the difference between first and second-degree murder.

What constitutes second-degree murder in Louisiana? Section 30.1 of Louisiana State Statutes defines second-degree murder as the killing of another person with the "specific intent" to either inflict bodily harm or actually kill. This crime also occurs when an offender is engaged in or attempting to commit certain crimes, such as first or second degree forcible rape, aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, armed robbery and other similar crimes even if the accused had no intent to kill or to inflict bodily harm.

Verbal altercations can quickly escalate. When they do they sometimes turn physical in nature. When injuries result from these scuffles, criminal charges can end up being filed against one or more parties involved. Those who are unable to adequately protect themselves from these charges may wind up facing serious penalties, including prison time and financially ruinous fines. This is why those accused of violent crimes need to protect themselves as fully and aggressively as possible.One Baton Rouge man is in this position now after being taken into custody on various criminal charges, including attempted first-degree murder. According to reports, the man got into a fight with another individual outside of a local business. Law-enforcement officials claim that the man physically struck another individual, knocking him to the ground. Reports indicate that the accused individual then went to his car, came back with a gun, and opened fire on the group with which he was tussling. Nobody was injured by those bullets, but they did enter the local business and, according to police, put lives at risk.The accused individual was arrested on multiple charges including attempted first-degree murder, battery, and carrying a firearm. If convicted of these offenses, this individual could face a significant amount of prison time. Prosecutors will likely try to point to the fact that he fled the scene as evidence of his guilt. However, especially given the hostile environment between police officers and civilians, this should have no bearing on his guilt or innocence. But, it may take a strong criminal defense to help redirect jurors' attention away from this fact and toward facts that are favorable to a finding of not guilty.Of course, before this case even gets to trial there will likely be plea bargaining. Plea negotiations are not right for every case, but when the stakes are high it is worth seeing how far are the prosecution will back off of its initial charges. In order to do so, though, an accused individual needs to be prepared with a strong criminal defense strategy. This is where the help of an aggressive and competent attorney can be helpful.

Being found in possession of an unlawful controlled substance could result in serious drug charges. However, if law enforcement suspects that a person's possession of a drug is not for personal use, he or she may face additional or more severe charges. In matters where authorities believe the accused is involved in drug trafficking, he or she could face drug crimes that carry harsh penalties.

What are the penalties for drug trafficking? To begin, a drug trafficking charge is a felony and is considered to be more serious than drug possession. If there is evidence that a person in possession of a drug intends to sell the drugs in question, he or she could face drug trafficking charges.