Misdemeanor Defense

In today’s world, it’s important to keep your record as clear as possible. While a misdemeanor is less serious than a felony, any conviction will result in a permanent criminal record that may affect future employment, loan applications, eligibility for student loans, college admission, professional licensing and other areas of your life.

At the Breeding Carter office in Knoxville, Tennessee, we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case if you or your child has been charged with a misdemeanor.

We represent people charged with all types of misdemeanor offenses, including:

• Shoplifting and theft of $500 or less
• Domestic assault
• Trespassing
• Disorderly conduct
• Vandalism
• Alcohol-related offenses
• Simple possession of a small quantity of drugs

Many people who represent themselves in misdemeanor cases end up reaching an agreement to plead guilty. However, pleading guilty can have lifelong consequences. For example, pleading guilty to domestic assault will result in a lifetime ban on possessing firearms. If you plead guilty to a crime of dishonesty such as theft or shoplifting, future employers may think they can’t trust you. If you testify in court in the future, your testimony can be impeached by prior conviction for theft. Misdemeanor charges can also be upgraded to felonies based on the facts of the case.

An experienced lawyer may be able to resolve misdemeanor charges without a conviction and the resulting criminal record. If a charge is resolved without a conviction or guilty plea, you can have your arrest record expunged, meaning that you can answer “no” if you are asked on a future job application whether you have ever been convicted of a crime.