Blog

Ten Realistic Scenarios. Ten Critical Lessons. One Chance to Get It Right. 🎯 One Mistake Doesn't Mean One Outcome At Lawrence Law Firm, we've helped hundreds of people in Ruston and throughout North Louisiana navigate criminal charges — from students caught with weed to adults facing serious ...

Even “Minor” Charges Can Have Major Consequences Without the Right Help 🙅‍♂️ “It's Their First Offense — Do We Really Need a Lawyer?” It's a question we hear often, especially from well-meaning parents of otherwise “good kids.” Maybe your child got caught: Shoplifting With weed or ...

Rebuilding Trust, Setting Boundaries, and Moving Forward Together 💬 “What Were You Thinking?” That's the first question most parents want to ask.Whether your child is a high schooler who got caught with weed, or a college student who got into a fight or picked up a DWI, it's normal to feel a ...

What Parents Need to Know About Criminal Records and Expungement in Louisiana 📁 “Will This Follow Them for the Rest of Their Life?” That's the question we hear from almost every parent who calls us — whether their child is 16 and in high school, or 19 and in college. And it's the right questi...

A Parent's Guide to the Process, the People, and the Stakes 🧭 Walking Into Court? Here's What You Need to Know Whether your child is 15 and in high school or 19 and in college, attending a criminal court hearing for your son or daughter is one of the most stressful moments a parent can face. ...

When the Line Between Juvenile and Adult Court Gets Blurred ⚖️ One of the Scariest Questions a Parent Can Ask When a child is arrested — especially for something serious — one of the first fears parents have is: “Are they going to charge my kid as an adult?” At Lawrence Law Firm, we've ...

Understanding Juvenile Detention, Adult Jail, and What Happens Next 🧨 “Are They Going to Lock My Kid Up?” This is one of the first fears every parent has after their child is arrested — whether their child is 16 or 19. At Lawrence Law Firm, we've talked with hundreds of families across Rusto...

Why Silence Is the Smartest First Move — No Matter Their Age 🧠 “They Just Want to Hear My Side of the Story…” That's what many kids — and even their parents — think when the police start asking questions. Whether your child is 16 or 20, there's a natural urge to cooperate, to “clear things up...

What Louisiana Law Says About Parental Rights During Interrogation 🚔 Your Child Is Being Questioned — But Are You Allowed in the Room? Whether your child is 15 and in high school or 20 and in college, nothing sparks panic faster than hearing they're about to be questioned by the police. We g...

What Parents Need to Know — Whether Your Child Is 16 or 19 🧭 Different Ages, Different Systems — But the Stakes Are High Either Way If your child has been arrested, one of the first things that determines how the case will unfold is their age at the time of the alleged offense. In Louisiana,...

A Calm, Clear Guide for Parents of Minors and College Students 📞 The Call No Parent Wants to Get It's late. Your phone rings.Your child — whether they're 16 or 20, in high school or away at college — tells you: “I've been arrested.” Whether it's for underage drinking, a fight, a drug ch...

Yes, But Only If You Move Fast 😓 “I Pled Guilty… But Now I Think I Made a Mistake.” Maybe you didn't have a lawyer.Maybe you felt pressured.Maybe you thought it was “no big deal.”Maybe no one explained what a conviction would really mean. Now you're stuck with a criminal record, fines, court...

Every Day You Wait, the State Gets Further Ahead ⏳ “I Haven't Hired a Lawyer Yet… But I'm Thinking About It.” Maybe you were just arrested.Maybe you've bonded out.Maybe the court date feels far away.Or maybe you're still waiting to see if the DA files charges. Either way, here's a hard truth...

Why a Quick Exit Now Can Cost You for Years 😔 “I Just Want to Be Done With It.” If you've been charged with a crime in Louisiana, you're probably tired, overwhelmed, and maybe even ashamed. You just want this chapter of your life to be over.So when the court or DA offers you a deal — especial...

Spoiler: They Don't — And Waiting Makes It Worse 😬 “I Was Arrested Months Ago and Haven't Heard Anything...” It happens more than you'd think. Someone gets arrested, maybe even bonded out. Then — silence. No court date. No paperwork. No calls from the DA. So they wait… and wait… and eventua...

Why That Facebook Post Could Be Exhibit A in Court 📱 "Just Got Out. They Really Tried Me Today." If you've just been arrested or accused of a crime, your instinct might be to vent. Maybe you're angry. Maybe you want to tell your side. Maybe you think a few likes or comments fro...

They're Not Trying to Help You—Here's Why You Should Stay Silent 🤐 "I Thought I Could Explain My Way Out of It." If we had a dollar for every time we heard that in a consultation, we'd never bill another client. Whether it's a traffic stop, a knock at your door, or a call asking you to “come...

Understanding Charging Deadlines and Your Rights ⏳ Waiting on Charges? You're Not Alone. You were arrested, maybe even bonded out… and now you're waiting. Weeks pass. You haven't heard from the District Attorney. You check online dockets every few days. No court date. No case number. Nothing...

Why You Might Be Charged — and How to Fight Back 🚨 “Resisting Arrest” Is One of the Most Misused Charges in Louisiana If you were recently arrested and saw “Resisting an Officer” on your charge sheet, you're not alone. Police across North Louisiana often tack on this charge — sometimes to ju...

What's Legal, What's Excessive, and What You Can Do About It 🧷 If You've Been Roughly Arrested, You're Not Alone Getting arrested is never pleasant. But when it involves being slammed to the ground, tased, or injured — the experience quickly shifts from scary to traumatic. Every year in Loui...

What to Expect and Why It Matters More Than You Think 🎯 What Is an Arraignment? An arraignment is your first formal court appearance after being arrested and charged with a crime in Louisiana. It might feel like a formality, but it sets the tone for everything that follows in your case. At L...

The Earlier, The Better—And Here's Why 🚨 If You Think You Might Need a Lawyer, You Already Do. Most people wait too long to hire a criminal defense attorney. They think: “Let's see what happens.” “I'll wait until I get a court date.” “I don't want to look guilty by hiring a la...

How Smart Defense Strategy Can Lessen the Impact of a Criminal Case 😟 Facing a Serious Charge? Don't Panic Just Yet. If you've been charged with a crime in Louisiana, you're probably asking: “Is there any way to get this charge lowered?” The answer is: yes, it's possible.While nothing i...

Yes, and Here's Why You Probably Should 🤔 Feeling Guilty Doesn't Mean You Should Plead Guilty One of the most common things we hear from clients during initial consultations is: “I did it. Should I just plead guilty and get it over with?” If that's what you're thinking — pause. Because ...

Understanding Pretrial Detention, Bond, and Your Rights ❓ Can I Stay in Jail After Being Arrested in Louisiana? Yes—unless you post bond or the court releases you.In Louisiana, if you're arrested and charged with a crime, you can legally be held in jail until your case is resolved. That could...