Beckley Criminal Lawyer, West Virginia

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Claude S. Smith, III
About | Practice Areas
The Law Offices of Claude S. Smith III
805 Bigley Avenue Charleston, WV 25302» view map
Criminal Defense Law
Working With Clients One On One

As your attorney, I will make sure you know that I am here for you. I will keep you updated on your case as it progresses.

800-936-8471
1. Claude S. Smith, III Charleston, WV
  Attorney at Law - WV, 1992
  University of Houston J.D. 1989
2. AboutThe Law Offices of Claude S. Smith III
  Working With Clients One On One
3. Practice AreasExpertise
  Criminal Defense Law
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Kevin J. Robinson

Litigation, Criminal, Civil Rights, Insurance

Status: In Good Standing

CONTACT

600 Neville Street, Beckley, WV 25801

C. Scott Applegate

Personal Injury, Insurance, Criminal

Status: In Good Standing

CONTACT

600 Neville Street, Beckley, WV 25801

J. Mingo Winters

Bad Faith, DUI-DWI, Collection, Consumer Bankruptcy

Status: In Good Standing

FREE CONSULTATION

CONTACT

102 McCreery Street, Beckley, WV 25801

William M. Lester

Constitutional Law, Criminal, Personal Injury

Status: Inactive Licensed: 42 Years

CONTACT

214 Prosperity Rd, Beckley, WV 25802

800-923-0641

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LEGAL TERMS

BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT

The burden of proof that the prosecution must carry in a criminal trial to obtain a guilty verdict. Reasonable doubt is sometimes explained as being convinced '... (more...)

The burden of proof that the prosecution must carry in a criminal trial to obtain a guilty verdict. Reasonable doubt is sometimes explained as being convinced 'to a moral certainty.' The jury must be convinced that the defendant committed each element of the crime before returning a guilty verdict.

NOLO CONTENDERE

A plea entered by the defendant in response to being charged with a crime. If a defendant pleads nolo contendere, she neither admits nor denies that she committ... (more...)

A plea entered by the defendant in response to being charged with a crime. If a defendant pleads nolo contendere, she neither admits nor denies that she committed the crime, but agrees to a punishment (usually a fine or jail time) as if guilty. Usually, this type of plea is entered because it can't be used as an admission of guilt if a civil case is held after the criminal trial.

BURGLARY

The crime of breaking into and entering a building with the intention to commit a felony. The breaking and entering need not be by force, and the felony need no... (more...)

The crime of breaking into and entering a building with the intention to commit a felony. The breaking and entering need not be by force, and the felony need not be theft. For instance, someone would be guilty of burglary if he entered a house through an unlocked door in order to commit a murder.

ACCESSORY

Someone who intentionally helps another person commit a felony by giving advice before the crime or helping to conceal the evidence or the perpetrator. An acces... (more...)

Someone who intentionally helps another person commit a felony by giving advice before the crime or helping to conceal the evidence or the perpetrator. An accessory is usually not physically present during the crime. For example, hiding a robber who is being sought by the police might make you an 'accessory after the fact' to a robbery. Compare accomplice.

FALSE IMPRISONMENT

Intentionally restraining another person without having the legal right to do so. It's not necessary that physical force be used; threats or a show of apparent ... (more...)

Intentionally restraining another person without having the legal right to do so. It's not necessary that physical force be used; threats or a show of apparent authority are sufficient. False imprisonment is a misdemeanor and a tort (a civil wrong). If the perpetrator confines the victim for a substantial period of time (or moves him a significant distance) in order to commit a felony, the false imprisonment may become a kidnapping. People who are arrested and get the charges dropped, or are later acquitted, often think that they can sue the arresting officer for false imprisonment (also known as false arrest). These lawsuits rarely succeed: As long as the officer had probable cause to arrest the person, the officer will not be liable for a false arrest, even if it turns out later that the information the officer relied upon was incorrect.

JURY NULLIFICATION

A decision by the jury to acquit a defendant who has violated a law that the jury believes is unjust or wrong. Jury nullification has always been an option for ... (more...)

A decision by the jury to acquit a defendant who has violated a law that the jury believes is unjust or wrong. Jury nullification has always been an option for juries in England and the United States, although judges will prevent a defense lawyer from urging the jury to acquit on this basis. Nullification was evident during the Vietnam war (when selective service protesters were acquitted by juries opposed to the war) and currently appears in criminal cases when the jury disagrees with the punishment--for example, in 'three strikes' cases when the jury realizes that conviction of a relatively minor offense will result in lifetime imprisonment.

MOTION IN LIMINE

A request submitted to the court before trial in an attempt to exclude evidence from the proceedings. A motion in limine is usually made by a party when simply ... (more...)

A request submitted to the court before trial in an attempt to exclude evidence from the proceedings. A motion in limine is usually made by a party when simply the mention of the evidence would prejudice the jury against that party, even if the judge later instructed the jury to disregard the evidence. For example, if a defendant in a criminal trial were questioned and confessed to the crime without having been read his Miranda rights, his lawyer would file a motion in limine to keep evidence of the confession out of the trial.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY (D.A.)

A lawyer who is elected to represent a state government in criminal cases in a designated county or judicial district. A D.A.'s duties typically include reviewi... (more...)

A lawyer who is elected to represent a state government in criminal cases in a designated county or judicial district. A D.A.'s duties typically include reviewing police arrest reports, deciding whether to bring criminal charges against arrested people and prosecuting criminal cases in court. The D.A. may also supervise other attorneys, called Deputy District Attorneys or Assistant District Attorneys. In some states a District Attorney may be called a Prosecuting Attorney, County Attorney or State's Attorney. In the federal system, the equivalent to the D.A. is a United States Attorney. The country has many U.S. Attorneys, each appointed by the President, who supervise regional offices staffed with prosecutors called Assistant United States Attorneys.

BAIL BOND

The money posted by a 'bondsman' for a defendant who cannot afford his bail. The defendant pays a certain portion, usually 10%. If the defendant fails to appear... (more...)

The money posted by a 'bondsman' for a defendant who cannot afford his bail. The defendant pays a certain portion, usually 10%. If the defendant fails to appear for a court hearing, the judge can issue a warrant for his arrest and threaten to 'forfeit,' or keep, the money if the defendant doesn't appear soon. Usually, the bondsman will look for the defendant and bring him back, forcefully if necessary, in order to avoid losing the bail money.

SAMPLE LEGAL CASES

State v. Booth

... Third, the probation officer's recommended sentence was further bolstered by Mr. Booth's prior criminal record. ... Mr. Booth's young age and the extensive criminal history he had already accumulated within that time worked against him. ...

Lowe v. Cicchirillo

... After completing his review of the appellee's medical records, Deputy Fleming filed a criminal complaint with the Harrison County Magistrate Court. Shortly thereafter, a warrant was issued for the appellee's arrest for the crime of driving under the influence. ...

Peters v. Rivers Edge Min., Inc.

... following additional factors: (1) The costs of the litigation; (2) Any criminal sanctions imposed on the defendant for his conduct; (3) Any other civil actions against the same defendant, based on the same conduct; and. (4) The ...

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Beckley Criminal Lawyer, West Virginia

Sponsored Law Firm

The Law Offices of Claude S. Smith III

SPONSORED LAWYERS

Kevin J. Robinson

C. Scott Applegate

J. Mingo Winters

William M. Lester

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LEGAL TERMS

BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT

NOLO CONTENDERE

BURGLARY

ACCESSORY

FALSE IMPRISONMENT

JURY NULLIFICATION

MOTION IN LIMINE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY (D.A.)

BAIL BOND

SAMPLE LEGAL CASES

State v. Booth

Lowe v. Cicchirillo

Peters v. Rivers Edge Min., Inc.

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