Bentonville Criminal Defense Lawyers
Call Our Benton County Firm Today at (479) 235-4600
At Norwood & Norwood, P.A., our Bentonville criminal defense attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience. We have defended more than 35,000 people in various cases, from speeding tickets to murder, and have obtained optimal outcomes for past clients. Also, our team consists of former deputy prosecutors, which means we know how the opposition prepares for and presents cases. With our knowledge and experience, we provide a robust defense and can aggressively fight your charge. We are ready to seek a favorable outcome on your behalf, working toward avoiding or minimizing the penalties you could face.
Our Bentonville criminal defense lawyers can defend a variety of cases such as:
- DWI / DUI Cases
- Drug Possession
- Felonies
- Sex Crimes
- Suspended Licenses
- Theft
- Traffic Violations
- Violent Crimes
- Many other crimes
Discuss your case during a free visit. Call Benton County criminal defense lawyers at (479) 235-4600 or contact us online to get started.
Notable Case Results
Norwood & Norwood has successfully resolved a multitude of criminal cases throughout their extensive years of legal practice. Notable achievements include the dismissal of:
- Cases pertaining to criminal mischief
- Individuals charged with felonious possession of firearms
- Minors facing charges of alcohol possession
- And various other instances
Further details regarding these accomplishments can be found on our case results page.
What is a criminal offense in Arkansas?
Title 5 of the Arkansas Code Annotated enumerates various types of conduct considered criminal offenses. Depending on the circumstances, the crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. Thus, anyone convicted can face incarceration, fines, loss of driving privileges, loss of voting or gun rights, and other sanctions. Additionally, being found guilty can lead to a bevy of collateral consequences, such as the inability to obtain gainful employment or to qualify for government benefits. The impacts of a conviction can be costly and long-lasting. If you've been accused of a crime, it's crucial you turn to a seasoned lawyer to handle your case.
Steps in an Arkansas Criminal Proceeding
For many, the criminal justice system can be a confusing and frightening place. Various laws and rules dictate what can and can't be done. Without a complete understanding of everything involved in resolving a criminal matter, a person can make a misstep that substantially impacts the outcome of their case. That's why it's vital to have sound counsel through it all.
Every situation is unique, but in general, a criminal case may go through the following stages:
- Arrest: An arrest can be made in a couple of ways. A judge, having reasonable cause to believe a crime was committed, may issue an arrest warrant. However, if a law enforcement officer observes a person committing an offense or has reasonable cause to believe that a felony or specific traffic crime has been committed, they can make a warrantless arrest. In some cases, the suspected individual won't be arrested but will receive a summons to appear in court.
- Search and seizure: During the arrest/investigation stage, the suspected individual may be subject to a search and seizure. In most cases, law enforcement officials need a warrant to engage in such conduct, but some matters are exempt from this requirement, such as when an officer observes evidence of a crime or when the individual gives consent.
- Probable cause hearing: If a person was subject to a warrantless arrest, the court will hold a probable cause hearing to determine whether their being taken into custody was lawful.
- Initial appearance: After a person has been arrested, they will be scheduled for an initial appearance. During this first hearing, the judge will inform them of the charge and their rights. They may also make a pre-release inquiry to determine what conditions they need to order to ensure that the defendant returns to court for future hearings. The judge may set bail or release the defendant on their own recognizance.
- Pleading: During their earlier court appearances, the defendant will be asked to enter a plea. They can plead guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere. The defendant can wait until they've hired a lawyer before entering their plea.
- Plea agreements: The prosecuting attorney and defense may enter into negotiations to resolve the case before trial. The judge is not part of this stage, and the defense attorney must ensure that their client understands the plea before accepting it.
- Trial: If the case isn't settled by a plea agreement, it will go to trial. The defendant may have a trial by court or by jury. During this step, the prosecuting attorney will be trying to prove guilt by providing evidence supporting their arguments. At the same time, the defense will be countering the allegations by presenting their own evidence and casting doubt on the prosecution's case.
- Sentencing: If the court or jury decides that the defendant is guilty (or if the defendant enters a guilty or nolo contendere plea), the case will move to sentencing. This stage is where the judge determines what penalties to impose. The range of punishments they may assess is enumerated in the statute for the alleged offense.
At Norwood & Norwood, P.A., our Bentonville criminal defense lawyers can fully explain each stage in the criminal justice process and help you understand the courses your case can take.
Our Reputation Speaks For Itself
Our firm has a solid reputation in the legal community. The people of Northwest Arkansas voted us BEST NWA CRIMINAL LAWYER, NWA Democrat-Gazette. Attorney Doug Norwood has received an AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell® and the Best Lawyers in America® recognition. Additionally, previous clients have left favorable reviews about the legal representation we provide.
Our Bentonville criminal defense lawyers are ready to get to work on your case. Call us at (479) 235-4600 or submit an online contact form, and we'll respond promptly
Put 10 Decades of Experience on Your Side
The Bentonville criminal defense lawyers in our firm include former deputy prosecutors, people who have worked on the other side, and understand the strategies and tactics the prosecutor will use to try and convict you. Even though you are only paying one legal fee if you hire our firm, you are receiving the benefit of having a team of lawyers with nearly 100 years of combined legal experience. Doug Norwood is our team leader and has input on all cases that need his knowledge and experience. There are many cases where several of our Bentonville criminal defense attorneys review a case and give input. The old saying “two heads are better than one” is very appropriate in the area of criminal defense. Our team puts our heads together to come up with ideas that will help our clients. The Bentonville criminal defense attorneys on our criminal defense legal team have a lot of experience in criminal cases and they all aggressively look for ways to win cases and fight to get great outcomes for our clients. We fight hard for our clients and would love to help you!
Payment Plans Available!
The consequences of conviction can be costly! You potentially face jail time, fines, court costs, and even the loss of your job. Norwood & Norwood has either won or negotiated dismissals for many thousands of charges for our clients and most of our clients NEVER GO TO JAIL. Let our Benton County firm see if we can do that for you. Your first visit with us to discuss your case is absolutely FREE, and you are under no obligation to hire us. If you decide to hire us, we offer reasonable rates, payment plans, and accept VISA, MASTERCARD and DISCOVER.
When we take on a case, we seek to:
- Get the charge dismissed
- Obtain a not guilty verdict
- Avoid jail or prison time
- Get zero or low fines
- Protect our clients' rights
We have proven many thousands of times that, just because you have been charged with a crime, doesn’t mean you will be convicted of that crime. If you have the opportunity to hire one of the best DWI / DUI and criminal defense law firms in Northwest Arkansas at a reasonable rate you can afford, why wouldn’t you?
Contact our Bentonville criminal defense lawyers today at (479) 235-4600 to discuss your case in a free consultation!
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“FELONY CASE DISMISSED! I was charged with Possession of a Firearm, Theft by Receiving and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia....The attorneys were able to prove my case to the Prosecutor and as a result all 3 charges were DISMISSED!!!!”- Jack
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“CHARGED WITH A DWI AND THEY GOT IT DROPPED! I was initially charged with a DWI and they got it dropped! Norwood & Norwood was great, they acted with great honesty and integrity.”- Mike
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“I WOULD GIVE 10 STARS IF I COULD!!!! I met with Doug and he Made me feel much better about my drug charge. I am so glad I hired him. Norwood got my DRUG CHARGE DISMISSED and I couldn’t be more grateful.”- Maria