New Orleans Criminal Defense Attorney

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Are police questioning you over an alleged crime in NOLA? Have you already been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense? If so, it is vital that you seek representation as soon as possible.

Arrested during COVID-19? Learn how we can help. 

You have legal rights in the justice system and you need an experienced New Orleans criminal defense attorney on your side who can devise the best strategy to reduce your chances of incurring penalties or being convicted. Bloom Legal provides superior legal representation to help you surpass the charges you are facing.

Our firm offers aggressive and strategic defense against many types of criminal charges, including:

• DWI and DUI
• Drug-Related Crimes
• Assault and Battery
• Criminal Trespassing
• Resisting Arrest
• Domestic Violence
• Lewd & Disorderly Conduct
• Theft Crimes
• Public Intoxication
• Disturbing the Peace
• Sex Crimes
• Hate Crimes
• White Collar Crimes
• And More

We also provide legal assistance with:

• Bailbonds
• Expungement
• Traffic Tickets
• LGBTQ Representation

Common Criminal Defense Questions

It is natural to be frightened when interacting with law enforcement and facing accusations that you have committed a crime. Our legal team can put your mind at ease and will provide answers to important questions like:

• What should I do if I’ve been charged with a crime in New Orleans?
• How can a criminal defense lawyer help me?
• How do I choose the best criminal defense law firm for my case?

What Should I Do if I’ve Been Charged with a Crime in New Orleans?

If you have been charged with a crime in New Orleans, Louisiana, you need to know if you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges and the potential penalties you face. You must determine whether to plead guilty or not guilty, and whether to negotiate a plea bargain or go to trial.

The criminal justice system can be confusing if you don’t know the rules – which is why the first thing you should do after you have been arrested is to call a lawyer. You deserve the best possible representation, and it starts with retaining the services of a criminal defense attorney who is knowledgeable about local laws and who will protect your rights. Do not hesitate to contact our firm as soon as possible after your arrest or if you are questioned by police in connection with a crime.

“Law enforcement needs more money, yet more than $20,000 per year is spent to keep a non-violent offender in prison. That is not smart. Crime is certainly not the only issue… but it must be addressed for New Orleans to prosper.”
– Attorney Seth Bloom

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help Me?

In recent years, prosecutors won more than 80 percent of cases that they brought to trial in the NOLA area. However, not every case goes to trial, which means there is a chance that your charges may be dropped or that a plea bargain to reduce penalties can be negotiated without ever having to set foot in a courtroom.

At Bloom Legal, we fight diligently to avoid conviction. Our New Orleans criminal defense lawyers understand the procedural and legal nuances of the complex Louisiana legal system. From raising defenses to introducing reasonable doubt, we will help you obtain the best possible outcome.

Being arrested can be a stressful and frightening experience, especially for individuals who have never had brushes with the law before. Many of our clients at Bloom Legal fall into this category, given New Orleans’ reputation as a “party town” for tourists.

If you are facing criminal charges, you should seek the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney to minimize the impact on your future. Criminal attorneys help their clients beat their charges and get their lives back in track in some of the following ways:

• Criminal attorneys have expert knowledge of the criminal laws and procedures of the jurisdictions in which they practice
• Criminal attorneys are skilled negotiators and can help you obtain the most favorable plea bargain or outcome
• Criminal attorneys often have good working relationships with prosecutors and court personnel, which can make the proceedings less stressful for you
• Criminal attorneys have easier access to resources that are often beyond the reach of the average person, such as buried evidence, witnesses, and forensic investigators
• Criminal attorneys act as their clients’ voice — they speak and act on your behalf and prevent you from making mistakes that could hurt your case

Although you may choose to go up against the criminal justice system alone, doing so can significantly jeopardize your chances of success. To get started, please contact a New Orleans criminal defense attorney.

Not Fighting the Charges? Don’t Give Up — Contact a New Orleans Criminal Defense Attorney

There are many reasons why individuals who have been charged with crimes choose not to fight them. Financial justifications are very common, as many individuals cannot afford a private attorney yet are ineligible for representation by a public defender. In other cases, the accused does not feel as if his or her charges are that serious and would like the whole ordeal to be over as quickly as possible. And in others, the accused may feel pressured to accept a plea bargain in exchange for a guilty plea because of doubts about the strength of his or her defense. However, think carefully before you give up, as doing so can result in penalties.

When you plead guilty, you admit that you committed the acts the state alleges you committed and waive your right to a trial. If you pled guilty as part of a plea bargain, this can sometimes feel like a victory, since you obtained a lesser charge in exchange for the guilty plea. This is not always true, however, as many defendants’ cases are strong enough to result in a not guilty verdict at trial.

You also have the option of pleading “no contest.” A no contest plea means that you neither accept nor deny the charges, but you submit to the consequences. As such, a no contest plea has the effect of a guilty plea. The main difference is that a plea of no contest cannot be used as evidence against you in a later civil trial.

If you are unsure of how you should plea and want to understand your options, please contact a New Orleans criminal defense attorney.

How Do I Choose the Best Criminal Defense Law Firm for My Case?

WIth your fate resting on the outcome of your criminal trial or plea bargain, you need a lawyer who is up to the task of protecting your future. To ensure you have the strongest chance of surpassing the charges you are facing, it is imperative that you retain the services of a criminal defense law firm in New Orleans with experience, dedication, a track record of success, compassion, and a thorough understanding of your situation.

Bloom Legal has embraced technological innovations to provide better defense for clients and we provide personalized one-on-one service. We will work to minimize the cost and stress of your trial, reduce the times you need to come to court and do everything we can to help you attain the most favorable solution.

Arrested in New Orleans? We Can Represent You

This city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.  A continuous number of conventions, festivals, parties, and events occur throughout the year, drawing in millions of tourists and locals alike.  During these celebrations and events, some partygoers and revelers may find themselves on the wrong side of municipal law.  After all, this city is home to arguably the largest party of the year during their Mardi Gras festival occurring throughout Bourbon Street and the French Quarter.

At Bloom Legal, we commonly counsel and represent both tourists and local residents.  In fact, a large number of individuals are arrested every year for a host of municipal offenses that are usually relatively easy to expunge under the provisions of Article 893 and Article 894. Our firm fights to reduce, dismiss and/or expunge the criminal charges our clients are facing.

Jurors are getting tougher and conviction rates are rising. Bloom Legal has embraced technological innovations to provide better defenses for clients. Call us today for a consultation.

Available 24/7 for immediate help. Call:504-599-9997

Tourism and Partying in New Orleans

Our city has garnered a reputation for being a party town where “anything goes” but that is far from the case. Unfortunately, many tourists and partygoers will fall trap to these misconceptions, and being from out of town or partying heavily is no excuse in the eyes of law enforcement when it comes to violating local laws.

While party and tourist events occur every day in the NOLA area, some events draw larger crowds than others, warranting increased law enforcement presence. Keeping this in mind, tourists and party goers should note that officials seek to enforce laws as strictly and pervasively as possible during these major events. Exceptions are not made for tourists, and there is nothing to prevent the arrest of individuals who violate the local parish, municipal, or state criminal laws.

Some of the more well-known events and locations for tourism and partying include:

• Mardi Gras, which is a prolonged festival officially commencing around January 6th with a world-renowned conclusion during Fat Tuesday in February. This massive, city-wide festival centers in the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, drawing millions of tourist visitors each year. Consequently, several arrests are made over a range of municipal offenses related to alcohol and subsequent behaviors. Additionally, felony arrests and federal drug trafficking charges are often filed against tourists and partygoers that violate applicable laws in light of this longstanding celebration.
• Harrah’s New Orleans, which is a casino open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and features gambling, dining, hotel accommodations, and other amenities. Located only steps away from the Mississippi River on Canal Street, the casino sees a constant influx of both tourists and locals wishing to have a good time.
• The Jazz and Heritage Festival, which celebrates the rich culture of this beautiful city and the Jazz music found here. The Jazz and Heritage Festival is held annually at the end of April. The official festival itself is located at the Fair Grounds Race Course, however, clubs and other venues host a number of shows and events related to the festival as well.
• New Year’s celebrations and the Sugar Bowl, which are generally held on New Year’s Day in the Louisiana Superdome. These events not only draw tourist traffic seeking to ring in the New Year from all over the country, but also significant media coverage surrounding the Sugar Bowl on January 1st.
• Southern Decadence, which entertains themes such as “Decadence Does Disco,” is a week-long celebration catering to the gay community in early September. Southern Decadence culminates in a huge parade throughout the French Quarter on the Sunday prior to Labor Day, with all previous events taking place near the intersection of Bourbon and St. Ann streets.
• Voodoo Experience, which is a three-day music festival held annually featuring hundreds of local and mainstream performers. The Voodoo Music Experience is held the weekend before Halloween at City Park and attracts more than 100,000 concert goers in these three short days.
• New Orleans Halloween, which is a celebration that includes numerous costume balls and parades throughout the city.
• Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day, which typically falls on March 17, is just another example of the commitment to festivals, parties, and parades in NOLA.
• French Quarter Festival, which celebrates the area of Canal Street, Bourbon Street, Pauger Street, and St. Anne’s Street as a cultural center of traditions and heritage. In the French Quarter, famous strip clubs, bars, and restaurants line the landscape, including Temptations, Larry Flynt’s Barely Legal Club, Rick’s Cabaret, Johnny White’s, The Famous Door, The Cat’s Meow, Razzoo, and the famous French Quarter restaurant Galatoire’s. The French Quarter Festival is held in April.

In NOLA, there are strips clubs, bars, gay bars, restaurants, casinos, live music venues, historic hotels, and other establishments where anyone can have a good time. Unfortunately, the huge crowds attending these events can often exponentially increase the likelihood of an arrest or civil tort. Other major forms of tourist activity include the many conventions held throughout the year in the city itself as well as in neighboring areas. Two of the main locations for convention activities are the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Louisiana Superdome. Some of the major events and conventions held at these venues include:

• World Cultural Economic Forum
• American Library Association
• American College of Cardiology
• The Bayou Classic
• New Orleans Bowl
• Sugar Bowl
• Saints games
• Hornets games

Legal problems can not only arise from activities and conventions in the city, but also from those in suburban and outlying areas. Gretna and Metairie, for example,  are experiencing a rise in the number of civil claims due to the constant influx of partygoers, tourists and vehicular traffic. With such a large number of people converging in one location so many times throughout the year, disputes and disagreements are bound to occur. Car accidents, property damage claims and personal injury claims are very common. However, even minor fender benders or an exchange of words on the street can quickly escalate and lead to criminal charges. As such, Bloom Legal is ready to assist tourists who have encountered legal trouble during their visit to The Big Easy and wish to rectify any outstanding claims.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced New Orleans Criminal Defense Attorney

For locals and tourists alike who find themselves embroiled in civil litigation or criminal charges following their evening out in the city, Bloom Legal can assist in expunging these charges or settling any and all civil cases. Do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible after your arrest or if you are being questioned by police in connection with a crime. Call 504-599-9997 or contact us online now to schedule a case evaluation and learn more about how we can provide representative or consultative services tailored to your needs.

• Domestic Violence Arrests During COVID-19
• Sex Crimes
• White Collar Crime
• Burglary & Armed Robbery
• Manslaughter and Homicide
• Murder and Attempted Murder