Being charged with a crime in Memphis, TN can be an overwhelming ordeal for anyone.  The process of being arrested, posting bond, being arraigned, and awaiting court dates can place a great amount of stress on even the calmest of people.  During this time, it can be difficult to maintain employment, family ties, and a general sense of well-being while the legal process is ongoing.  After being arrested, your first step should be to hire an experienced Memphis criminal defense attorney who can advise you of your legal rights and what to expect during the legal process, including providing a general timeline of how long the case will take to reach a resolution.

Generally speaking, the following is what you can expect from a time standpoint for facing criminal charges in Memphis, TN:

• A big factor in how long your case takes to resolve will depend on whether you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor in Memphis, TN.   Felony charges are often more complex to investigate than misdemeanor charges, therefore they tend to exist on longer timelines.
• Many misdemeanor charges are straightforward, such as domestic assault, theft of property, simple drug possession, and driving offenses. These charges can be resolved within a few court settings with the assistance of an experienced Memphis criminal defense attorney at The Chiozza Law Firm. 
• One exception to this standard rule is the misdemeanor charge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Memphis, TN. While DUI is usually a misdemeanor charge, many months are spent waiting on the Blood Alcohol Test Results. In addition, your attorney will request any dash or body camera footage of your arrest to review.  Unfortunately, this takes time, but the proper attorney should be able to explain all of this and more during a free consultation.
• Felony charges will take longer to resolve than a misdemeanor. If you have been charged with a felony, you have the right to a preliminary hearing to determine if there is probable cause for the charges to proceed against you. If probable cause was found, your case will be bound over to the Grand Jury for indictment and then assigned to a criminal court for further proceedings. This process takes many months, during which any charges you are facing will appear pending on your public record.  Once the felony charge is assigned to a criminal court, the case basically starts over.  It is at that time you can try to resolve the matter thru a dismissal, a guilty plea, or a jury trial. 
• Traffic charges in Memphis, TN can usually be resolved in the first court setting, or shortly thereafter. In fact, if you hire a Memphis traffic attorney at The Chiozza Law Firm we will appear on your behalf, saving you the trouble of missing time from work or school to wait in line for hours before your ticket is heard. 

Facing an arrest and criminal charges in Memphis, TN can be overwhelming, and having the right legal voice to protect your interests is extremely vital.  The Chiozza Law Firm has years of courtroom experience in Memphis and the Mid-South, handling all types of felony and misdemeanor charges.    We have successfully handled thousands of cases involving  Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Theft of Property, Driving While License Suspended, Passing Bad Checks,  drug-related offenses (including possession charges), Assault, and many other crimes.  If we are successful in obtaining a dismissal, we make sure the charges are removed from your public record thru the expungement process.

Hiring a Memphis criminal defense attorney does not have to be complicated. Simply call 1(901)526-9494 to speak with a member of our criminal defense team.  You may also email criminal defense attorney Brian Chiozza at brian@chiozzalaw.com, or fill out an online form here.  We provide free consultations for all legal matters, including criminal matters.  You pay us nothing until you decide to retain our services, and then we can work out a fair payment plan to pay legal fees.