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Criminal Defense
DUI
Drug Crimes
Traffic Violations
Sex Crimes
Criminal Defense Attorneys DE
Facing a criminal and DUI charge in Delaware is one of the scarier, and stressful, times you may face in your life. You may be in fear of losing your driving privileges, your job and possibly some relationships. Criminal charges impact more than just your criminal record and will exert their impact on various aspects of your life. Fear, among other emotions, will run very high while you are part of the Delaware legal system. For experienced, focused and dedicated legal representation, turn to me, Delaware Criminal Lawyer Brian J. Chapman.
I founded my Delaware Criminal Defense Law Firm more than a decade ago on two very important principles: client-centered representation and integrity. With these principles in mind, I strive to treat each client fairly and ensure that their rights are protected throughout the many stages of their cases. My attention is always focused on my clients to ensure that their needs are met as effectively as possible.
I am an experienced Delaware criminal lawyer with many years experience handling criminal cases both as a former state prosecutor and now as a solo defense attorney. With that, I have a long-standing, and documented, history of obtaining very favorable results for my clients. Let me now my experience on both sides of Delaware law to effectively defend your rights.
Even though I focus a great deal of my attention on handling criminal law, traffic violations and DUI defense for clients throughout Delaware, I also skillfully and effectively represent those who have been injured in accidents and have sustained serious injuries.
DUI & Wet Reckless Charges
Driving drunk is never a good idea, because the police frequently offer up surprise checkpoints and field sobriety tests for many drivers in this area who may get caught and now are facing criminal charges. If you have ever been pulled over and charged with driving while intoxicated, you need to get a qualified attorney that can work with misdemeanor and felony positive BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) tests. In Delaware, even a first offense can bring fines. A second offense can bring jail time and revocation of your license. A third charge for drunk driving officially gives you a mandatory jail sentence, which makes it more difficult to plead your case against any charges.
Many people are surprised to learn after they get pulled over that a DUI not only involves alcohol, but could also include being under the influence of drugs as well. In Delaware, DUI actually stands for Driving Under the Influence of not just alcohol, but other prescription drugs such as:
- Ambien
- Oxycontin- many times a forged prescription charge accompanies an Oxycontin DUI charge
- Vicodin- being caught in possession of illegally obtained Vicodin will complicate a Vicodin DUI charge
Or also under common illegal street drugs like:
- Marijuana– marijuana possession charges are often a direct result of smoking weed while driving
- Heroin
- Cocaine- cocaine possession, without without intent to distribute, will make your cocaine DUI charge worse
- Methamphetamine
- Hallucinogens
Drug Crimes
I am a skilled Wilmington, Delaware Drug Offense attorney and I can help if you’ve been charged with possessing:
- Marijuana
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Meth, including crystal meth
- Prescription drugs and pain pills
One of our experienced Newark, DE criminal attorneys can help you avoid drug-war fueled sentencing on a state or federal level. Whether you’re a college student experimenting with substances, or a lifelong addict, these long and involved cases can stay on your permanent record.
Criminal Defense
For those who have been accused of committing property crimes in Delaware, this is a serious situation and one that can have serious consequences including a jail or prison sentence, probation and hefty fines. Some of the most commonly reported types of property crimes include:
- Motor vehicle theft
- Arson
- Stealing or selling of stolen property
- Burglary
- Shoplifting and theft
Most of the time, these crimes involve no threats, force or violence, but when they do, it can move a misdemeanor charge to a felony very quickly.
Juvenile Crimes
Your minor child may still have a chance in court with the right attorney if he or she has been charged with delinquency, involved in a runaway, or charged with any of the following crimes:
- Assault
- Battery
- Curfew violations
- Trespassing
- Loitering
- Possession of a weapon
- Theft
- Larceny
- Vandalism
- Disorderly conduct
- Juvenile alcohol related offenses
Juvenile hall incarceration is often an alternative available for young offenders, along with other options like rehabilitation. The right Delaware Criminal Lawyer, provided they have experience with juvenile cases, can bring social factors to a judge’s attention and offer your child a second chance at life.
Traffic Crimes
Sometimes people make little mistakes of judgment, such as failing to stop completely at a stop sign, which can lead to a tragic accident, resulting in vehicular manslaughter charges with long lasting results. Consider getting a Delaware criminal lawyer to protect yourself from heavy charges and fines if you’ve been caught:
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Excessive speeding or reckless driving
- Making an illegal turn
- Failing to yield to pedestrians
- Driving aggressively
- Driving without insurance
- Driving while suspended
If your vehicle was in motion, you can amass minor infractions and misdemeanors as a moving violation. In Delaware, these penalties and fines will usually depend on your driving record, criminal background, and the number of offenses you have against you.
Sex Offenses
Sex crimes are among the most serious and the penalties could include having to register as a sex offender. Some examples of sex offenses in Delaware include:
- Molestation
- Sexual abuse of a minor by a person in a position of trust
- Pedophilia
- Lewdness
- Incest
- Child pornography possession or distribution
If you have been charged with forced rape, non-consensual sex acts, or sexual assault, you could be looking at a prison or jail sentence. Juveniles can also have sex crime charges for physical and sexual assault, date rape, statutory rape, sexual harassment, and stalking. Any of these horrible situations warrant the help of a skilled Delaware criminal lawyer handling sex offense cases.
Personal Injury
Delaware has over 37 fatal crashes a year, and for the survivors, many people are simply so relieved it’s over that they often overlook their chance to receive compensation from the insurance companies, when thy may have actually been losing out on a rather substantial monetary benefit. When it comes to filing claims, there are many types of compensation that you could be eligible for, particularly when you have been injured in the head, neck, arm or back – these injuries are often worth far more in these types of claims.
Injuries sustained in an accident can have a long-term impact on your life. I offer tailored representation to injured individuals and their families. I partner with clients throughout the course of handling their personal injury case. Together we can aggressively seek compensation for the losses you have suffered, including for pain and suffering, medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. Some of the types of personal injury cases I handle include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Worksite injuries
- Workers’ compensation
- Slip and falls
- Wrongful death
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanor offenses and crimes are less serious criminal charges and, depending on the current case law, involve milder outcomes and usually only carry up to one year in jail. More common examples of misdemeanors include minor property damage, theft, assault, prostitution, and minor in possession, or MIP.
Delaware Mandatory Minimum Sentences
The state of Delaware has mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines for almost all types of crimes such as drug charges, violent crimes, DUI, sex offenses and property crimes. Even first time offenders are subject to these very harsh mandatory minimum sentences. There is very little chance of working out a good deal without the help of an experienced Wilmington Delaware Criminal Defense attorney. Let me help as I have many years experience helping those facing criminal charges get a very favorable result in court.
How Our Delaware Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
I provide aggressive and skilled criminal defense representation to clients in Wilmington, Newark and all of Delaware facing a range of felony and misdemeanor cases, including DUI cases and traffic crimes. My background as a former prosecutor allows me to level the playing field for my clients. I can anticipate moves the prosecution may make against you in seeking a conviction, then I can prepare for these tactics and build a strategy to counter them. My previous experience as a prosecutor also enables me to quickly evaluate the state’s case and help you decide the best way to seek a resolution.
Contact Newark Delaware Criminal Lawyers Brian J. Chapman
Please contact me, Wilmington, Delaware Criminal Defense Lawyer Brian J. Chapman, today and schedule your free initial case analysis. During this appointment, we can discuss your individual case and any concerns you may have. I pride myself on being able to anticipate any issues that you may be concerned about regarding your case and its outcome. I also can provide you with a realistic assessment of the possible outcomes of the case, allowing you to make an informed decision as to how we should proceed with the case.
I serve the Newark, University of Delaware campus, Wilmington, Middletown, Bear, Glasgow, Pike Creek, Hockessin, Claymont, New Castle, Odessa, Townsend, Smyrna, Dover, Milford, Seaford, Georgetown, Lewes and Rehoboth Beach areas.
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