LGBT Criminal and DUI Defense

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) criminal and DUI defense clients deserve respect and equal protection under the law. Equal protection is a constitutional right. Often times, you will see “Lady Justice” pictured with a blindfold. This is because the eyes of the law see all people equally, including LGBT persons, and the law must protect the rights of LGBT persons. Our law firm takes the responsibility of zealous representation for LGBT clients very seriously.

In years past, there was no federally recognized right to marry for same-sex couples. History changed in 2015. The United States Supreme Court, the highest Court in America, issued a landmark decision: Obergefell v. Hodges. The Obergefell case held the following: The right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person. The Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment, couples of the same-sex may not be deprived of that right and that liberty. The Obergefell decision also held that States must recognize lawful same-sex marriages performed in other States. The law now recognizes that the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of the person. Under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, couples of the same-sex may not be deprived of that right and that liberty.

The reverberations of the landmark Obergefell case are still echoing down through the country, and Mississippi courts are grappling with how this ruling will apply to other situations. One specific implication is criminal law. Because a fundamental right to same sex marriage is now recognized, there may be new applications of this right in criminal and DUI cases. For instance, in criminal law, there exists a spousal privilege, which protects certain statements made by a spouse to another spouse or to another person, and prevents the government from using certain statements in evidence in a criminal trial.

A key ruling on spousal privilege in Mississippi is a decision called Bayse v. State, from 1982. This spousal privilege has not yet been applied to same-sex marriages by any Mississippi court of appeals. This is new and uncharted territory. Having an experienced attorney like Rufus Alldredge to navigate your case through these uncharted waters could be critical in your case. Rufus Alldredge can advocate for you and apply this legally recognized fundamental right to achieve the best outcome in your case. If you have been charged with a crime and you are unsure what your rights are, call Gulfport defense lawyer Rufus Alldredge today. We are committed to asserting and protecting your rights in a court of law.

At the Law Office of Rufus Alldredge, you will met compassion and an understanding of who you are and your legal needs. Our services are available to everyone on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We understand the needs of LGBT clients and their families in criminal and DUI matters.

Our firm has a long history of representing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender clients and will give you the empathy you expect from a lawyer handling your case. Our firm can provide unique advocacy in a variety of legal areas for LGBT citizens, including Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges, drug charges, theft, and other criminal charges.

Do not underestimate the value of having an advocate sensitive to the needs of an LGBT person during an investigation, after arrest, and after being charged. Because honesty and candor are central to a strong attorney-client relationship, it is important to have an attorney with whom you can be open, without fear of being judged.

Circumstances surrounding an arrest may pertain specifically with your identity as gay, lesbian or transgender, and the ability to discuss these issues with your attorney openly will not only give you less anxiety, but this will put you in a position to achieve a better outcome in your case.

Gulfport defense lawyer Rufus Alldredge has always represented gay, lesbian and transgender clients with dignity and respect, and protects their rights to equal protection under the eyes of the law. If you are being investigated by the government or have been charged with a felony, misdemeanor, or DUI, contact the Law Office of Rufus Alldredge today at 228.863.0123. We are located at 1921 22^nd Avenue in Gulfport, Mississippi.