Experienced And Committed Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime, your future is on the line. The first thing you should do is to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights. Located in Rogers, Arkansas, Hatfield Harris, PLLC, provides strong, effective criminal defense to individuals throughout Northwest Arkansas who have been charged with misdemeanors and felonies.

A Respected Criminal Defense Attorney Protecting Your Future

Local prosecutors know that when you hire Hatfield Harris, PLLC, you are serious about your defense.

Rogers criminal defense attorney Andrew Hatfield is an experienced criminal defense litigator. For more than 17 years he has been protecting his clients’ interests in and out of court. Because prosecutors know Mr. Hatfield is ready to go to trial, they often offer better plea deals that make the time and expense of trial unnecessary. However, if a deal is not in our clients’ best interests, Mr. Hatfield will fight for their rights in court.

Strong Criminal Defense Against Misdemeanor And Felony Charges

At Hatfield Harris, PLLC, we provide strong criminal defense representation against a wide range of misdemeanor and felony-level criminal offenses, including:

• Drug charges, including drug possession, trafficking, distribution and manufacturing
• Sex crime allegations, such as rape, sexual assault, molestation, prostitution and internet sex crimes
• Violent crime charges, including battery and assault, terroristic threats, domestic violence and kidnapping
• DWI and drunk driving charges
• Traffic tickets
• Weapons charges
• Theft crimes, including robbery and burglary
• Credit card fraud
• Money laundering
• Juvenile crimes

If this is your first offense, there are programs available to keep your record clean. At Hatfield Harris, PLLC, we take advantage of first-time offender programs – such as Act 346 – to keep our clients out of jail and erase criminal charges from their permanent record.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense In Arkansas

It is very upsetting to be charged with a crime – or even approached – by the police. Our clients generally have a lot of different concerns, including those below.

Should I talk to the police?

Even if you think you have nothing to hide, you should never talk to the police without an attorney present. Anything you say can potentially be used against you later, even if you have not yet been arrested. The authorities use interrogation techniques that confuse and mislead people into making statements that are against their best interests all the time.

The best way to protect your rights and your future is to immediately invoke your right to remain silent and hire a lawyer.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

Broadly speaking, felonies carry more significant punishments upon conviction than misdemeanor offenses. In particular, misdemeanors are only punishable by a year or less in jail, while felonies are punishable with at least a year (or significantly more) in prison. These consequences are in addition to any other punishments, such as fines, restitution and probation.

Do the police need a warrant to search my vehicle in Arkansas?

Not necessarily. An officer can search your vehicle with your permission or when they have probable cause to believe that your vehicle holds evidence of criminal activity. Your vehicle may also be searched incident to your arrest while driving, such as after a drunk driving charge.

To protect your interests, never consent to a search of your vehicle when asked. If the police proceed with the search, denying consent preserves your right to challenge the legality of the search.

Should I accept a plea bargain offered?

A plea bargain is an agreement where you plead guilty to a criminal charge, usually in exchange for a lesser sentence. It is important to understand that a plea agreement will be the same as a conviction when it comes to having a criminal record – and you must waive your rights to appeal when you accept one. 

This is why it is very important to consider your legal options before accepting a prosecutor’s offer of a deal. While accepting a plea bargain may seem like the best option at first, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you evaluate the potential risks of accepting a plea bargain and the strength of the prosecution’s case. 

At Hatfield Harris, PLLC, we do this by examining things such as the prosecution’s evidence, witness credibility and the legality of any searches. If the prosecution has weak or questionable evidence or if a plea bargain is unfavorable, then it may be in your best interests to allow a case to go to trial. However, if the prosecution has strong evidence of criminal actions, then a plea bargain can help avoid a lengthy trial and harsher penalties. In all cases, however, you need to have as much information as possible in front of you before you decide which path to take.

Does a jury verdict have to be unanimous in Arkansas?

Yes. A jury must come to a unanimous guilty or not guilty verdict for a criminal case to reach its conclusion in Arizona. Federal criminal cases also must have a unanimous verdict. If a jury cannot come to a unanimous verdict and is “hung,” then the judge will generally declare a mistrial. While a hung jury is preferable to a conviction, it seldom means the end of a case. It is up to the prosecutor whether or not a case will go to a second trial.

Can I appeal if found guilty at trial?

Typically, yes. Upon appeal, the appellate court will review the lower court’s decision and look for legal errors. It may then affirm the decision or reverse the decision (in whole or in part) and remand the case back to the trial court. This can result in a new trial, new plea bargain negotiations or new sentencing. In rare cases, a verdict may be overturned entirely. 

Can I remove a past criminal conviction from my record?

There is no provision for expunging an adult criminal record in Arkansas, but some criminal histories can be sealed. That permanently removes that part of your record from public view and gives you the right to deny that the crime happened.

An attorney can help you understand whether you qualify for a sealed record and guide you through the process.

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