Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  State and federal criminal matters are complex. They require a sound understanding of the law and court rules and procedures. A Birmingham defense attorney can provide legal assistance at all stages of your case.
• DUI/DWI
  If you are arrested for impaired driving, our Birmingham DUI lawyers from Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight, P.C. will pull from 75+ years' of combined experience to help you with your defense. We have handled thousands of cases and have a history of obtaining positive results on behalf of our clients. We understand that facing DUI charges may be overwhelming and frightening. Our board certified attorneys will work alongside you throughout the entire legal process.
• Traffic Violations
  Our team has handled thousands of cases from traffic violations to possession. We understand bad things can happen to anyone and will work diligently to protect your rights in local, state, and traffic courts.
• Sex Crimes
  Many sex crime allegations can also involve cybercrime charges, and if the alleged crime involved crossing state lines, federal charges could be forthcoming.
• Fraud
  Healthcare fraud is considered a white collar crime. If you’ve been charged with this serious offense, your practice, livelihood, and professional reputation are at stake.
• Robbery
  Violent offenses in Alabama can mean serious penalties for those convicted. Class A felonies such as murder, first-degree domestic violence, and armed robbery are punishable by 10 years to life in prison – and in the case of capital murder, the prosecution can seek the death penalty. Even misdemeanor simple assault can mean up to a year of incarceration. In addition, violent crime convictions often limit professional and social opportunities, and even accusations can lead to public stigma. Those accused of these serious crimes need a Birmingham criminal defense attorney who understands the law’s complexities and will fight on their behalf.
• Burglary
• White Collar Crimes
  We know time is a big factor in white collar crime investigations, and we will work with other professionals based on the available evidence to determine possible outcomes and build an effective defense. At each stage, a veteran Birmingham white collar crimes defense lawyer will keep you well informed of proceedings while ultimately allowing you the choice of whether to cooperate with prosecutors, go to trial, take the witness stand, and make other important decisions. Even when things may seem hopeless, our firm will never stop working for you.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Despite its name, a misdemeanor can have a long-lasting impact on your life. Immediate consequences of a conviction or guilty plea include up to a year in prison and a heavy fine under Alabama law. The resulting mark on your record can also cost you job and school opportunities, get you denied residency by landlords, and affect your social relationships.
• Embezzlement
• Drug Crimes
  Drug crime charges are serious anywhere, but especially so in Alabama. Prosecutors for both the state and federal government are known for aggressively pursuing drug charges, and a conviction can have life-long personal and professional consequences.
• Assault
• Murder
  My name is Fredrick Spencer, AKA Fred P. I want to thank Mr. Jaffe and Mr. Whisonant for saving my life, for giving me another chance. I was arrested and charged with murder on October 29, 2010. Mr. Jaffe and Mr. Whisonant took it all the way to trial and beat it. I was acquitted on January 26, 2012. My whole music career was on the line. I went through so much in this case. Mr. Jaffe and Mr. Whisonant helped me mentally and prepared me for everything that I was facing. I just want to thank God and everybody at Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight, P.C. I have the best lawyers in the world. The Best.
• Juvenile Crimes
  Our juvenile crimes lawyers understand that children are not fully developed mentally and sometimes do not understand that what they did is wrong. We recognize that children make mistakes and need to learn from them, while also working to minimize the long-term damage that these errors have on their lives. The goal of Alabama juvenile court is to help young people turn their lives around, and if your child has been charged as a juvenile or adult, our guidance will ensure the protection of their legal rights along the way.
• Identity Theft
  The term cyber crime refers to several offenses, including, but not limited to, identity theft, sex crimes, hacking, child pornography, and piracy. These can be complicated matters because, in many cases, the law has not caught up with today's technology, and existing statutes are applied to conduct that did not exist when they were established. Because of this, if you have been accused, you need our Birmingham, Alabama, cyber crimes attorneys on your side. We can use our insight, experience, and skill to fight for you.
• Homicide
  Defending DUI Vehicular Homicide Cases, Inside the Minds; “Proven Strategies for Complex DUI Vehicular Homicide Cases†Chapter Written by Richard Jaffe, Aspatore, 2011
• Shoplifting
• Money Laundering
  A criminal matter falls under federal jurisdiction when it is committed on federal property, crosses state lines or country borders, or involves a federal employee or agent. Our federal criminal defense lawyers in Birmingham, Alabama, represent clients facing a range of federal charges, including, but not limited to, tax fraud, child pornography, money laundering, mail and wire fraud, immigration fraud, and drug trafficking.
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter
  Certain circumstances can lead to felony DUI charges, including prior DUI convictions, being arrested in a school zone, and impaired driving with a suspended license or no insurance. If someone is killed in a drunk-driving accident, the driver can also face serious charges such as vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, and criminal negligence.
• Internet Crimes
  When you need an Alabama internet crime lawyer who can navigate the complexities of cyber crimes defense, the team at Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight, P.C. are here to fight for your rights. Computers and the internet are still relatively new to the world, and as a result regulations for their use are often murky. Many cyber laws are vague and law enforcement agencies have been known to overreact towards targets for prosecution. In addition, there are still questions regarding jurisdiction of many cyber crimes cases.
• Extortion

Business and Corporate Law

• Intellectual Property

Employment Law

• Sexual Harassment

Property Law

• Premises Liability
  Premises liability: Premises liability law allows those injured on another person's property to file a claim, provided that the cause of the accident was the property owner's negligence in addressing a hazard on the premises.
• Property Damage
  For situations where only property damage was sustained, victims still have the right to pursue compensation for up to two years after the date of the accident, with the exception of property damage that was caused as a result of trespassing. This is known as Alabama’s statute of limitations on property damage.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Our team of Birmingham personal injury attorneys represents victims of serious injuries in Alabama caused by the negligence or intentional wrongdoing of others. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident or other incident, trust our skilled team of devoted injury lawyers in Birmingham for the help you need, when you need it. Our team seeks justice for victims by pursuing fair compensation for damages such as medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, and pain/suffering.
• Auto Accidents