GUN CRIMES
GUN CRIMES LAWYER IN LITTLE ROCK, AR
JOHN C. COLLINS
STRONG CRIMINAL REPRESENTATION IN ARKANSAS WITH OFFICES IN LITTLE ROCK, MOUNTAIN HOME, & TEXARKANA
Being arrested is a scary and confusing experience. On top of the shock of being arrested, you are also faced with the overwhelming process of finding a criminal lawyer to represent you in court. This is not something that should be taken lightly, especially when so much is riding on the outcome of your case.
Our criminal defense attorneys in Little Rock offer a fighting chance when it comes to your criminal charges. We are trial lawyers who do not take cases to settle. We take on only the most serious cases with the highest stakes. These types of cases require an aggressive team who isn’t afraid to stand up and fight for clients at trial. Our results-driven, whatever-it-takes legal representation has helped individuals across Arkansas with a variety of needs.
BRIAN W. RAY
EXPERIENCED CRIMINAL DEFENSE IN ARKANSAS WITH OFFICES IN LITTLE ROCK, MOUNTAIN HOME, & TEXARKANA
A long-time Arkansan, Mr. Ray graduated summa cum laude from Henderson State University before earning his Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law, where he is qualified for membership to the Who’s Who Among American Law students.
Mr. Ray has earned the respect of both his clients and peers by being named to the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers by Martindale-Hubbel for demonstrating the highest possible ethical standards and legal ability. He has earned a rating of “10.0 – Superb” from the online legal directory, Avvo, where peers and clients have posted their rankings in terms of knowledge, trustworthiness, responsiveness, and keeping clients informed.
Brian W. Ray's History As A Criminal Defense Attorney
Brian has nearly thirty years of experience handling serious drug and alcohol cases in nearly all aspects of the criminal justice system.
His work in this area of the law began in 1989 when he became a Certified Police Officer making individual narcotics arrests, and also serving as the “number one entry man” on the SWAT team for drug task force (DTF) “no-knock” warrants. Brian also worked on drug crimes while assigned to the Street Crimes Narcotics Division, and later drafted and executed search warrants while serving as a Detective. Also while serving as an Advanced Certified Police Officer he received many personal commendations and awards and attended Advanced Drug Training from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) & US Department of Justice before graduating Summa Cum Laude from Henderson State University and obtaining his Juris Doctorate from the William H. Bowen School of Law where he was named to membership in the Who’s Who Among American Law Students. While still in law school, Brian worked for the Attorney Generals’ Office where he assisted in working on behalf of law enforcement agencies, and also worked for one of the most prominent attorneys in the state handling drug and alcohol crimes. Later, as a licensed attorney, he served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney where he obtained numerous convictions of those arrested for possession of controlled substances. While still a new attorney defending drug cases, Brian represented one of two commercial truck drivers in Federal Court charged with possessing over a ton (2213 pounds) of 82% pure cocaine while traveling on Interstate 30 and across a good part of the country. That cocaine seizure was deemed to be worth an estimated $125,000,000, and still represents one of the largest seizures of cocaine in the State.
When partnering with John & Brandi Collins to form CCR Law Firm in early 2015, Brian began putting his significant law enforcement and criminal justice experience to work for those contacting the firm after being accused of alcohol and drug crimes, including driving while intoxicated (DWI). Because of the firm’s focus, Brian also went to work to systematically further his extensive and advanced training to more heavily focus on these highly specialized cases. With his unique experience gained over decades in the criminal justice system, Brian has now embraced several opportunities to pass his hard-won knowledge along to other attorneys seeking to learn more about drug and alcohol cases after attending many DWI-specific training seminars throughout the country.
Mr. Ray has earned the respect of both his clients and peers by being named to the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers by Martindale-Hubbel for demonstrating the highest possible ethical standards and legal ability. And, he has earned a rating of “10.0 – Superb” from the online legal directory, Avvo, where peers and clients have posted their rankings in terms of knowledge, trustworthiness, responsiveness, and keeping clients informed.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Brian served in the United States Marine Corps with First Battalion Fifth Marines and still enjoys telling others of the unit’s motto, which is: “Make Peace or Die”! Additionally, Mr. Ray has worked as a Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, and The Arkansas Bar Association while serving as an attorney licensed in state and federal courts to include Arkansas, Texas and the United States Supreme Court. He is a regularly sought-out speaker for legal education seminars for attorneys and enjoys winning cases at trial.
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LITTLE ROCK GUN CRIMES LAWYERS
WEAPONS CRIMES DEFENSE IN ARKANSAS WITH OFFICES IN LITTLE ROCK, MOUNTAIN HOME, & TEXARKANA
Guns are a part of our culture in Arkansas. They are relied on for self-defense and used for hunting. One unfortunate byproduct is that circumstances can sometimes sweep people into situations where crimes involve a deadly weapon. Felony charges can result, and the quality of your Little Rock gun crimes lawyer might be the difference between freedom and prison.
Collins, Collins & Ray has extensive experience in weapons cases, and we pride ourselves on an intense one-on-one commitment to each client who comes through our doors.
Call today at (501) 392-5007 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
Gun Crimes in Arkansas
Guns may be involved in any number of crimes, so the sentencing guidelines will vary. Arkansas classifies most felonies on five different levels with a Class Y being the most serious and Class D being the least serious. However, even a Class D conviction can mean six years in jail, the loss of Second Amendment rights, the loss of voting rights, steep fines, and a record that can make post-prison life very difficult.
It can be easier than most people realize to end up facing gun-related criminal charges. Here are three examples:
- An intruder is on someone’s property. They fire a shot, and the intruder is hit. Was there cause to use the weapon? If the state doesn’t think so, felony charges could be forthcoming.
- One person is in a heated argument with another. It’s just words, but one person has a gun on them, and the other person feels threatened by it. This can meet the legal definition of assault, which only requires the threat of violence. If the state thinks the perceived threat of gun usage was credible, felony assault charges can be filed.
- A person sells their gun to someone who has a domestic violence conviction on their record and uses the gun to commit another crime. Simply the act of selling the gun to a convicted felon is enough to bring someone to the attention of a prosecutor. The fact the gun was then used in the commission of another felony can enhance charges.
These are just a handful of examples of the way citizens can run afoul of gun laws. No matter what, all these potential defendants deserve a Little Rock gun crimes attorney who will fight vigorously for their defense, their freedom, and their reputation.
Collins, Collins & Ray understands the criminal justice system from every angle, and we know how to find the right defense strategy for each case.
POSSIBLE DEFENSES AGAINST WEAPON CHARGES
The number of possible defense strategies are as numerous as the number of possible crimes. Small details matter in weapons cases, and each circumstance will be a little different.
Contact Us to Begin Building Your Case
Collins, Collins & Ray is run by lawyers and staff who know the criminal justice system from every angle. We have everyone from former prosecutors to former police officers on our legal defense team. We leverage that experience on behalf of our clients, at a time when those clients are facing life-altering situations.
Contact Collins, Collins & Ray today to get started with our Little Rock multiple DUI & DWI lawyer.
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
National Association of Distinguished Counsel Top One Percent: John Collins 2015, 2020, 2021
AY Magazine’s Arkansas Best Lawyers: Brian Ray 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters): John Collins 2014, 2015, 2018-2021
Arkansas Life Magazine’s – Top Attorneys: John C. Collins 2016, 2019
American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys – 10 Best Client Satisfaction: John C. Collins 2016
POSSIBLE DEFENSES AGAINST GUN CRIME CHARGES INCLUDE
- Self-defense: This is a prime defense strategy in weapons cases. We all have the right to defend our person, our family, and our property. If a response is proportionate to the threat a person reasonably perceived, then there is a basis for a self-defense claim.
- Misunderstandings: Assault cases that don’t involve actual use of a weapon might be a big misunderstanding. The mere fact one person thought the other might use a gun does not alone make the belief credible. The defense might say their client had no intention of using the weapon and did nothing that would indicate otherwise.
- Due diligence was done: Mistakes happen, and a person who sold a gun to someone who had a previous record might not have been aware of it. The law does not expect people to be perfect — simply that they make reasonable efforts. A gun crimes defense strategy might involve showing that reasonable care was taken.
It’s important to note that the burden of proof will lie with the prosecution. It’s the D.A.’s responsibility to show that the perceived need for self-defense was not credible. A District Attorney has to show that the threat of gun violence in a verbal argument was real and not imagines. The prosecutor has to demonstrate that a gun seller could have done more to find out about the background of their buyer. Burden of proof is a difficult hurdle for prosecuting attorneys to clear. As defense lawyers, we pride ourselves on making that job even more difficult.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No, under Arkansas law, a DUI cannot be used to enhance a DWI. For example, if you get a DUI when you are 19 and then get another DUI when you are 20, it will be a DUI-2. But if you then get a DWI when you are 21, that will be a DWI-1, and the DUIs will not be used to enhance the DWI to a DWI-2 or DWI-3.
Yes, a prior DWI can be used to enhance a DUI.
Enhancement for prior DWIs and DUIs during the 10-year look-back period are determined from the date the violations occurred rather than the date of conviction.
The Courts will look back ten years.