Tuscaloosa Gun Crime Lawyer

Alabama laws regarding the sale and possession of firearms are more liberal than those of other states. However, the penalties upon conviction for a gun crime in Alabama are still high. If you have been charged with an Alabama gun crime, you need a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer on your side who can safeguard all of your legal rights while your case is pending.

A Tuscaloosa gun lawyer can meet with you to discuss the facts and circumstances of your case and can assist you with formulating legal defenses to your gun charge. A good legal defense can sometimes result in a complete dismissal of your case or a favorable plea deal with the prosecution.

Gun laws in Alabama address the acquisition, possession, and registration of firearms in the State. Some of the most important gun laws in Alabama include the following:

• Individuals need not obtain a gun permit for the purchase of rifles, shotguns, or handguns in Alabama, and individuals seeking to purchase a firearm need not produce a permit
• No permit is required to possess a firearm in the State, so long as an individual is over the age of 18, has no criminal record, has no documented history involving drugs or alcohol in relation to disorderly conduct, and has not been declared mentally unstable under Alabama law
• Alabama residents who are over the age of 18 may purchase rifles and shotguns from any licensed dealer in the State. However, the sale and purchase of handguns is reserved solely for Alabama residents who are at least 21 years of age
• A firearm may not be sold to an individual who has a prior history of violence, disorderly conduct, or alcohol abuse
• A person may not possess a firearm in a public place
• A person may not possess a short-barreled or sawed-off shotgun or rifle in Alabama
• A person may not carry a concealed firearm without a permit. A person may carry a firearm openly

Although Alabama gun laws are more liberal when compared with those of other states, gun crimes are still prosecuted in the State on a regular basis. Some of the most common Alabama gun charges are as follows:

• Unauthorized purchase or sale of a firearm
• Possession of an assault weapon
• Burglary, robbery, or other violent crime committed with a deadly weapon

Alabama gun charges may be prosecuted as either felonies or as misdemeanors. Felony gun crimes are usually punishable by more than one year of incarceration, while misdemeanor gun crimes are usually punishable by up to one year of incarceration, as well as by fines and other penalties.

Alabama gun charges have many potential defenses associated with them. Some of the more common defenses to Alabama gun charges include alibis, mistaken identity, lack of ownership over the subject firearm, possession of a valid permit, illegal search or seizure of the firearm, and improper or inadequate Miranda warnings or interrogation techniques used by investigators or police officers. A knowledgeable Tuscaloosa gun attorney can examine the facts of an individual’s case and attempt to identify the defense/defense strategy that works best for them.

Alabama gun convictions can subject you to very serious criminal penalties, including hefty fines and long periods of incarceration. A skilled Alabama criminal defense lawyer can examine the facts and circumstances of your case and assist you with formulating good legal defenses to your gun charge.

You should feel free to contact a Tuscaloosa gun lawyer at any time, via telephone or email, for a free initial consultation.