Conway Felony Defense Attorneys

Our experienced felony defense lawyers in Conway, Arkansas will defend your reputation and rights if you are being charged with a felony.

Being charged with a felony in Arkansas does not mean you are guilty, and it does not mean the state has a case that will hold up in court.

Prosecutors file charges every day that fall apart under real scrutiny, weak evidence, unlawful searches, unreliable witnesses, and rushed investigations all give a defense attorney room to work.

A felony charge puts your freedom, your career, and your future on the line at once, and prosecutors across Faulkner County and the 20th Judicial District pursue these cases hard from the moment you are arrested.

We are Lemley DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyers, a Conway-based criminal defense firm handling serious felony cases in Faulkner County Circuit Court and throughout the 20th Judicial District.

Our practice centers entirely on criminal defense, so every decision we make is focused on building the strongest possible case for you. Our Conway felony defense attorneys know how the state builds its cases here, and we know where those cases tend to break down, knowledge we put to work for you from the first phone call.

Contact us today for a free consultation and discover how our Conway felony defense attorneys can help you protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome.

Why Choose Us for Your Conway Felony Defense?

When your freedom is on the line, the attorney you choose matters. Here is what sets our defense apart:

• Local Court Knowledge: We practice regularly in Faulkner County Circuit Court and know the local prosecutors, judges, and how cases move through the 20th Judicial District, knowledge we apply directly to your defense.

• Direct Attorney Representation: You work with your attorney from the first call through resolution, with no handoffs to paralegals or junior associates.

• Case-Specific Strategy: Our Conway felony defense lawyers do not use one-size-fits-all defenses. We review your charges and the evidence, then build a strategy around the actual facts of your case.

What Is a Felony in Arkansas?

A felony is any criminal offense punishable by more than one year in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, the state prison system, not a county jail. Arkansas divides felonies into six classes by severity: Class Y, A, B, C, D, and unclassified, with Class Y carrying the most serious penalties under state law.

Beyond incarceration, a felony conviction carries collateral consequences, legal penalties that extend beyond the sentence itself. Losing your right to vote, own a firearm, obtain certain professional licenses, or qualify for housing and employment are all outcomes that stay with you permanently.

What Felony Charges Do We Defend?

We handle the full range of felony charges in Faulkner County Circuit Court and throughout Central Arkansas. Whatever you are accused of, we will review the facts and give you an honest assessment of where your case stands.

Violent Crimes

Charges including aggravated assault, battery, robbery, and homicide carry some of the longest sentences in Arkansas. We examine every piece of evidence and the full circumstances of the alleged offense to build a case that challenges the state’s version of events.

Drug Crimes

Drug charges range from simple possession of a controlled substance all the way to delivery, trafficking, and manufacturing, with penalties that escalate sharply based on the type and quantity of drug involved.

Our Conway felony defense attorneys challenge the legality of the stop, the integrity of the search, and the reliability of lab results the state plans to use against you.

Sex Crimes

A sex crime conviction carries serious prison time and mandatory placement on the Arkansas sex offender registry, which can restrict where you live and work for decades. We provide discreet, aggressive representation for charges including rape, sexual assault, and internet-based offenses.

Theft and Property Crimes

Theft becomes a felony in Arkansas once the value of the property crosses a statutory threshold, and crimes like burglary and breaking or entering are felonies regardless of what was taken.

We analyze the evidence to challenge the prosecution’s ability to prove every element required for a conviction.

Weapons Charges

Charges like felon in possession of a firearm or using a weapon during the commission of another crime carry mandatory sentencing rules that limit a judge’s ability to show leniency. Search and seizure questions are often the most critical legal issue in weapons cases, and we examine them closely.

White Collar Crimes

Embezzlement, wire fraud, identity theft, Medicaid fraud, and other white collar crimes require a defense built around financial records, account statements, and documentary evidence. We work through that material methodically to find the gaps and inconsistencies the prosecution does not want you to see.

Probation and Parole Violations

A revocation hearing is a proceeding where a judge decides whether to revoke your probation or parole and activate your suspended sentence, which can put you behind bars immediately without a new trial. Our Conway criminal defense lawyers appear at revocation hearings and fight to protect your freedom before a final ruling is issued.

What Happens After a Felony Arrest in Faulkner County?

The criminal court process moves fast, and every stage involves decisions that affect your outcome. Here is what to expect from arrest through resolution:

1. Arrest and Booking: You will be taken to the detention facility for processing, fingerprinting, photographs, and a formal record of the charges filed against you.
2. First Appearance and Bond: A judge informs you of the charges and sets a bond amount. We work to secure the lowest possible bond so you can return home while your case is pending.
3. Discovery and Investigation: We formally request all of the prosecution’s evidence, police reports, witness statements, and forensic results, while running our own parallel investigation into the facts.
4. Pretrial Motions: We file motions to challenge evidence obtained through an unlawful stop, an illegal search, or an improper interrogation. A successful suppression motion can remove critical evidence from the state’s case entirely.
5. Plea Negotiations: We use every weakness in the prosecution’s evidence to negotiate for a reduction in charges, alternative sentencing, or a full dismissal where the facts support it.
6. Trial: When the state cannot offer a fair resolution, we bring your case to a Faulkner County jury and fight for a not-guilty verdict.
7. Sentencing and Appeals: If a conviction results, we advocate for the most favorable sentence available and advise you fully on your right to appeal.

One pattern we consistently see in Faulkner County felony cases is how much the outcome depends on what happens in the first 48 hours.

Clients booked at the Faulkner County Detention Center often assume the bond amount set at their first appearance is fixed, when in reality it can be renegotiated once we get in front of the judge with the right context.

We regularly see bond amounts reduced once we can show a client’s ties to Conway, stable employment, and a clean record outweigh the state’s initial request.

How Do We Build Your Defense?

The prosecution must prove every element of the charge against you beyond a reasonable doubt, and that is a deliberately high standard. We locate every gap in the state’s evidence and build your defense around them.

• Challenge the Stop or Search: If law enforcement lacked legal justification to stop you, search your property, or obtain a warrant, any evidence gathered as a result may be excluded from court entirely.

• Suppress Unlawful Statements: Statements made without proper Miranda warnings or obtained through coercive questioning can often be kept out of trial.

• Attack Forensic Evidence: We scrutinize how evidence was collected, stored, and tested. Chain-of-custody failures and lab errors are common in both drug and violent crime cases.

• Cross-Examine Witnesses: We investigate every prosecution witness for inconsistencies, personal biases, criminal history, and any motivation to fabricate or exaggerate their account.

• Pursue Diversion When Appropriate: Drug court, veterans court, and similar programs can result in dismissed charges for clients who qualify and complete the program successfully.

Across the felony cases we handle in the 20th Judicial District, one of the most common weaknesses we find is in how evidence was gathered during a traffic stop.

Officers along Highway 65 and Dave Ward Drive make a high volume of stops, and not every one of them has the reasonable suspicion the law requires before a search. When we can show the stop itself was unlawful, everything found afterward (drugs, weapons, or statements) is often excluded from the state’s case entirely.

What Are the Penalties for an Arkansas Felony?

Arkansas law assigns a mandatory sentencing range to each felony class. Prior felony convictions can qualify you as a habitual offender, which allows judges to impose sentences beyond the standard ranges shown below.

For eligible first-time offenders, a suspended imposition of sentence, or SIS, is an important alternative to a permanent conviction. An SIS means the court withholds the formal judgment while you serve probation, so completing that period successfully results in no felony on your record.

What we see repeatedly with first-time offenders in Faulkner County Circuit Court is that many walk in assuming a felony charge automatically means a criminal record for life.

In our experience, judges in the 20th Judicial District are often willing to consider a suspended imposition of sentence for clients who complete probation without incident, particularly on Class D and Class C charges.

That distinction between a conviction on paper and a genuine second chance is often the single most important thing our Conway felony defense lawyers negotiate for.

How Much Does a Defense Attorney Cost?

Fees depend on the severity of the charges and the complexity of the case. A Class D felony resolved through negotiation costs significantly less to defend than a Class A case heading to trial.

• Flat-Fee Arrangements: Most felony cases are handled on a flat-fee basis per phase, so you know the full cost of representation before we move forward.
• Flexible Payment Plans: We offer payment options so that cost is not the reason you face serious felony charges without effective legal representation.

What Should You Do Right Now?

What you do in the hours after an arrest, or the moment you learn you are under investigation, can change the direction of your case.

• Stay Silent: You have the constitutional right to remain silent. Do not answer questions or make any statements to law enforcement until you have spoken with us.

• Refuse Consent to a Search: You are not required to consent to a search of your home, vehicle, or belongings. Politely decline and call us immediately.

• Write Down the Details: Document everything you can remember, names, locations, and the exact sequence of events, while the facts are still fresh.

• Call Us Now: The sooner we are involved, the more options we have to protect your rights and influence the outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Felony Charges Be Reduced or Dismissed in Arkansas Before Trial?

Yes, through successful pretrial motions, demonstrated weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, or direct negotiation, felony charges can often be reduced to a misdemeanor or dismissed before the case goes to trial.

Is Prison Time Automatic for a First Felony Offense in Arkansas?

No. Depending on the felony class and the facts of the case, first-time offenders are often eligible for probation, an SIS, or a diversion program that avoids a prison sentence entirely.

Can You Represent Someone Before Charges Are Formally Filed?

Yes, pre-charge representation allows us to communicate directly with investigators, protect you from making damaging statements, and in some cases prevent charges from being filed at all.

Can an Arkansas Felony Conviction Be Sealed from Your Record?

Under the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act, many felony convictions can be sealed from public view after a waiting period, though certain violent and sexual offenses are permanently ineligible for sealing.

What Happens if You Miss a Court Date in Faulkner County Circuit Court?

Missing a scheduled court appearance typically results in a bench warrant for your arrest and possible forfeiture of your bond. Contact us immediately if you have missed or are at risk of missing a hearing.

Do You Offer Free Consultations?

Yes, we offer a completely free and confidential consultation to review your charges, answer your questions, and explain your options with no obligation.