In 2007 there were 8,502 Violent Crimes committed in the state of Mississippi. Click here for more information on this disturbing statistic.

Violent crimes always have victims, and so if you are arrested and accused of a violent crime, you can be assured that the police will be after you, the prosecutor will not let up, and the judge will take your case very seriously. Compared to other offenses, violent crimes carry harsher penalties, which can include lengthy sentences to the penitentiary and stiff fines.

The first advice from this firm is free: Do not give up! If you have been charged with a violent crime anywhere in the state of Mississippi, it is imperative that you retain the services of a qualified Mississippi violent crimes defense lawyer. A good lawyer can almost always have a big impact on a case.

Clarence Guthrie is a former U.S. Marine judge advocate, prosecutor, and criminal defense counsel, and has successfully represented persons accused of:

• - Armed robbery
• - Arson
• - Assault
• - Battery
• - Carjacking
• - Child abuse
• - Hate crimes
• - Kidnapping
• - Manslaughter
• - Murder
• - Robbery
• - Terrorism
• - Vehicular manslaughter
• - Homicide

There are a number of potential defenses to consider in these crimes, for example:

• Self Defense – this doctrine allow a person to use reasonable force in their own defense and in the defense of others. What constitutes reasonable is a key point and one that a good lawyer will argue forcefully.
• Misidentification – eyewitness identification is considered to be the leading reason behind wrongful convictions in the USA. Out of 200 people whose convictions were overturned after DNA results came to light, 75% were convicted on the basis of erroneous eyewitness identification. Care has to be taken by your lawyer to ensure that legal standards such as admissibility and proper jury instructions are properly adhered to.
• False arrest – The law requires that arrests be based on probable cause or formal court orders. Resisting unlawful arrest is a possible defense, and will also be regarded as self defense under certain circumstances.
• Forensic Evidence – Forensic evidence, such as DNA evidence, weapon ballistics, fingerprint analysis, and toxicology can have a huge, dispositive impact on any case. Clarence worked with (and against) highly-trained NCIS investigators while in the Marine Corps, learning from the best, and has experience with this type of evidence developed over many years.

The laws of evidence are also very important in the defense of violent crimes, and great care has to be taken to ensure that the case is properly investigated, and that witness statements are scrutinized to in order to meet the strict criteria imposed by the law. Witnesses sometimes have an ulterior motive when giving evidence, and a competent lawyer will be able to identify these cases and deploy the most suitable defense for you or your loved one. Police procedures are another area that is ripe for investigation. Working with an experienced lawyer will highlight these shortcomings and ensure that you receive the justice that you deserve.

Clarence T. Guthrie III has the distinction of having served the law both as a prosecutor and criminal defense counsel. He has a careful, methodical approach to criminal defense, developed over years of practice, which enables him to talk straight with you about your case, and also to think creatively in order to keep the prosecution honest. If you hire him, you will work with him directly over the life of your case. He will be beside you every step of the way, providing the best representation possible.

If you would like to discuss your violent crime case with us, please call The Guthrie Firm, PLLC at (601) 991-1099 or contact us online. We are here to help.