Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving Central Kentucky

If you have been charged with a crime or are the subject of a criminal investigation, you need to take this seriously

If you are convicted of a crime, it will impact the lives of you and your family members now and for years to come. Your liberty and ability to support yourself and your family are at risk. A criminal record can harm many aspects of your life, including your educational and career aspirations, your family relationships and your immigration status. If you are in Lexington, Kentucky, or the surrounding area, get the legal help you need to protect yourself and your family.

If you are convicted of a crime in Kentucky, you may face penalties that include:

  • Incarceration in county jail, state or federal prison
  • Fines, penalty assessments and other costs, probably at a time when you cannot afford to pay them
  • Registration as a sex offender, which can impact where you can live and the jobs you can hold
  • Driver’s license suspension or revocation, which can impact your ability to get to work
  • A permanent criminal record, which may need to be disclosed on job applications
  • Installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle
  • Required completion of classes and/or counseling
  • Probation
Just because you’ve been arrested doesn’t mean you’ll be convicted.

As powerful as law enforcement and prosecutors can be, there are limits to what they can do. If those limits have been crossed, you may have a valid defense to your case. Your case may ultimately be decided by a judge or jury of your peers, not the police or prosecutor.

The attorneys at Carman Fullerton, PLLC understand the seriousness of your situation and the stress you’re under, and we treat all our clients with respect. An arrest may result in family and friends abandoning you, but we stick by our clients and work hard so they can have the best possible outcome.

Some criminal charges are resolved through negotiations with a prosecutor, where the attorneys discuss the case and come up with a resolution that’s acceptable to both sides. Depending on your situation, this may be the best resolution for you. We know how to leverage the facts and law to our clients’ advantage to come up with an agreement that may allow you to put the case behind you with as little harm as possible.

Other times a trial may be the better option for our clients. If that happens in your case, we will use our experience and skills to show the weaknesses and problems with the prosecution’s case and tell your side of the story. We will do everything possible to vigorously fight for you and defend your rights.

No matter how your case is resolved, the choice is up to you. We’re here to educate and advise you so you can make an informed decision on how your case should be handled.

We help clients who’ve been charged with a wide range of offenses based on state and federal law, including:

  • Domestic abuse: An assault against a family member (or member of an unmarried couple) by a family member (or member of an unmarried couple).
  • Assault: This can be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the situation. It involves intentionally, wantonly or recklessly harming someone, with or without a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.
  • Theft: Includes shoplifting, larceny (or wrongful appropriation), theft of services, identity theft, theft of lost items and theft by deception.
  • Drug-related crimes: Involve state or federal charges and cover possession, manufacture and distribution. Penalties vary widely, depending on what drug is involved, the nature of the crime and the amount of drugs.
  • DUI: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (prescription, over-the-counter or illegal) is against the law. Penalties increase if there are prior convictions.
  • Misdemeanors: There are generally two classes — those where a sentence could be up to 90 days in jail and a $250 fine, and those where the sentence could be up to 12 months and a fine of up to $500.
  • Felonies: These crimes are punishable with jail time of more than 12 months, including up to life without parole and the death penalty.
  • Violent crimes: Can include assault, aggravated assault, rape, attempted murder, murder and kidnapping.
  • Weapons charges: Convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms in Kentucky. State charges can include selling a firearm to a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and defacing (removing the serial number from) a firearm. Federal charges can include trafficking and committing fraud in order to get a permit.
  • Juvenile matters: These cover offenses committed by those less than eighteen years old. The legal system and procedures covering juvenile matters are different than those for adults.
  • Murder: The intentional killing of another person, or killing a person with extreme indifference to their life, can result in lengthy prison sentences and the death penalty, depending on the circumstances of the crime.
  • Probation violations: If as part of a sentence a person is placed on probation and violates its terms, the person may be sent to jail.
  • Identity theft: This crime occurs when a person illegally uses another person’s personal identifying information for financial gain. A conviction on state charges can result in years in jail and a large fine.

No matter the crime you are facing, you should contact an attorney to discuss your situation and the charges you’re facing. Trying to defend yourself could result in needlessly pleading guilty to a crime and facing far greater penalties than necessary.

Just because you’ve been arrested doesn’t mean you have no rights and that you must just get caught up into the criminal justice system. You have a right to a defense. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. If you live in Fayette County, Kentucky, or the surrounding area, an important step is calling Carman Fullerton, PLLC at 859-971-0060 or filling out this contact form. Your future and the future of your family is at stake, so contact us today.

Client Testimonial

“I went to this office since 2019. I was with Mr. Kirby he help me a lot with my case and his secretary she great women ,Mr Kirby thank you so much for you and your staff.” – Asaad Alshaferi (Google Review)