Charges of violent crimes in Memphis can bring severe penalties. The mere accusation of a crime such as assault can lead the accused’s community to jump to false conclusions, but the court system does allow any accused the opportunity to present their defense and to have the case against them judged on its merits.
For example, James Johnson, a forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, was recently charged with domestic assault. Early Saturday morning Johnson allegedly got in a fight with his wife and hit her in the face and choked her. He was also accused of punching a hole in a door. He has pled not guilty to the domestic assault charges and is due back in court at the end of this week. On a positive note, fans outside the courthouse showed some support by taking pictures with the athlete as he departed.
When any person – whether a well-known athlete or a private citizen – is charged with a serious crime such as assault, they may feel confused and scared. The mere allegation of an assault is enough to ruin a person’s reputation and have the public doubt their innocence. In such situations, consulting with a criminal defense professional may help the defendant understand the options and establish a strong defense. In some cases, it is possible to negotiate with the prosecution and bring in expert witnesses and scientific evidence. It is important for defendants to have the opportunity to provide their side of the story.
An allegation of domestic assault can bring a lifetime of questions and doubts by the community. Protecting a good reputation is important in order to maintain a person’s lifestyle. A defendant only gets one chance to hear the words “not guilty,” so fighting the good fight is important to make sure they don’t receive a conviction that they don’t deserve.
Source: WMCA, “Grizzlies’ player due in court on domestic assault charges,” June 9, 2014
