How to Find the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer
June 10th, 2019 by Attorney Dan Carman
If you’re facing criminal charges, you’re going to want to find the best criminal defense lawyer you can get. You may qualify for a public defender, but that means it’s not likely that you’ll be able to choose your own lawyer. Your best bet is generally to hire your own criminal defense attorney, ideally finding an attorney who specializes in defending against the types of charges you’re facing. As part of your search, contact Dan Carman. He offers a free initial consultation; and even if he’s not the right attorney […]
How do I Beat a Felony Drug Charge?
May 20th, 2019 by Attorney Dan Carman
Felony charges come in a variety of types, depending on the severity of the crime. In Kentucky, possession of a controlled substance is a Class D felony, punishable by one to five years in prison. Trafficking is a Class C felony, punishable by five to 10 years in prison. Repeat offenders and those charged with certain other drug-related crimes can face even more serious charges, and the most severe crimes can lead to a sentence of up to 50 years, or even life imprisonment. Regardless of the specific charges against […]
What the Extended “Look-Back” Period Means for a DUI Charge
April 25th, 2019 by Attorney Dan Carman
If you’ve dealt with DUI charges in Kentucky, then you’ve likely heard about the “look-back period.” Simply put, the look-back period is the time in which a driver’s record shows past offenses. Kentucky’s look-back period for DUI was five years until it was expanded to 10 years in 2016. This change was applauded by many so-called “tough on crime” advocates, but it has implications for people who have tried to get past a troubling episode in their lives. The Consequences of the Look-Back Period Under the previous five-year look-back period, […]
Harvard Study: Probation is a Driver of – Not a Solution to – Mass Incarceration
March 20th, 2019 by Attorney Dan Carman
Michael Jacobson has a harsh assessment of our current probation system. He is the director of City University of New York’s Institute for State and Local Government and the co-author of a recent paper highlighting the shortcomings of probation in the U.S., and we should all take his concerns seriously. He calls our probation system “the most systematically underfunded, and the least powerful of all criminal justice agencies,” while his co-author Vincent Schiraldi points out that probation, which was originally intended as an alternative to incarceration, has “grown too large […]
What is the Average Sentence for Drug Possession?
February 19th, 2019 by Attorney Dan Carman
What is the average sentence for drug possession? The possession of many different kinds of drugs is considered illegal under Kentucky law, leaving it difficult to determine the average sentence for drug possession. If found guilty of possession, the sentence will vary depending on the amount in possession, what drug was possessed and whether or not the defendant is a repeat offender. If the amount is large enough, a defendant may be charged with possession with intent to sell. It’s a crime to possess any amount of marijuana in Kentucky. […]
How to Find a Good Criminal Defense Lawyer
December 3rd, 2018 by Attorney Dan Carman
If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense in Kentucky, or believe you’re being investigated by law enforcement, it can be a life-changing event. Your livelihood, the ability to support yourself and your family and your freedom may be at risk. This is not the time to go it alone. You should at least talk to a criminal defense attorney to see if that’s the right one for you. You should hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your legal rights. Criminal law can be very complex and includes […]
Can a Convicted Felon Own a Gun in Kentucky?
November 26th, 2018 by Attorney Dan Carman
A convicted felon cannot legally own a gun in Kentucky, with some exceptions. This includes those convicted as youthful offenders and those convicted of a felony under federal law or in another state. Possession of a firearm by a felon is itself a felony. If you have been charged with this crime, we may be able to help. Under Kentucky Revised Statute 527.040, the crime of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (one who has served more than one year of imprisonment) occurs when he or she possesses, […]
What Is Possession of Drugs in the Second Degree in Kentucky?
November 5th, 2018 by Attorney Dan Carman
Possession of drugs in the second degree in Kentucky involves possession of dangerous, but not narcotic, drugs. It can include possession of prescription drugs or illegal drugs for which there can be no prescriptions. The penalty is the same as for possession in the third degree. Under Kentucky law, possession of controlled substance in second degree is defined as the knowing and unlawful possession of a controlled substance classified in Schedules I or II which is not a narcotic drug (or specified in the definition of possession in the first […]