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ANNISTON CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

William R. Payne

Attorney at Law

PRACTICE

AREAS

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

We represent clients charged with all types of

Felonies, Misdemeanors and DUIs. We have the experience you need whether your case is a Drug Possession or Trafficking in Illegal Drugs. We represent clients charged with Domestic Violence both at the Misdemeanor and Felony level. We have served as counsel for multiple clients charged with Murder and Capital Murder. We provide DUI Defense in all Municipal Courts as well as District Court. Whether you were stopped by City Police, a Deputy Sheriff or Alabama State Trooper we can provide the representation you need to try and protect against the loss of your drivers license. We handle Bond Reductions if your bond is set too high and you cannot get out of jail. We can also file to try and get your bond reinstated if your bond gets revoked by the court. We also represent clients at Probation and Parole Hearings.

DISABILITY

If you can't work for physical reasons or due to mental illness and have been denied Social Security benefits then call me. I can represent you in Appealing your case to the Social Security Administration. I personally meet with each client seeking to appeal their disability case and carefully interview that individual as well as family members to learn about the daily challenges faced by the client because of their disability. By getting to know your circumstances personally I can better serve as your advocate in court. You only have 60 days in which to file an appeal if you are denied benefits so please contact me as soon as you receive your letter of denial so that I can get your appeal filed in a timely manner.

WILLS, ESTATES, TRUSTS, & PROBATE

We prepare Wills and Trusts for clients which directs how the property in their Estate will be divided or how it will be used to take care of another person upon that client's death. If you already have a will it is advisable that you have your will reviewed every five years to make sure that it still meets your needs because of possible changes in your circumstances. We help administer estates after persons have passed away. We do this for persons that have left a will in which case we file to have the will admitted to Probate. The will controls how the property of the deceased will be disposed of by the Executor named in the will. We also administer estates for persons that have died without leaving a will. In either case the estate must remain open at least six months.

We prepare Living Wills, also known as Advance Directives, which set out your wishes regarding medical treatment or other life-sustaining measures to take in the event you become medically unable to speak for yourself. We can offer advice about Guardianship and Conservatorship for persons that cannot take care of themselves or their money.

We prepare Powers of Attorney. We can also file to revoke a Power of Attorney if said power is no longer needed or is being abused.

PERSONAL INJURY or WRONGFUL DEATH

If you have been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident that was someone else's fault or if you have been seriously injured due to the negligence of another for any reason then you need an attorney to help you recover from the responsible party. You may have been seriously injured by a product that was negligently designed. If you have a family member that was seriously inured or killed due to the negligence of another then you need to consult an attorney right away to protect their rights. No matter who caused your injury, don't talk to their insurance company representatives without first talking to an attorney to represent you or your family member. You are entitled to recover your out of pocket expenses, medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. In some cases you may be entitled to punitive damages. In most injury cases you won't pay an attorney's fee or case expenses unless we recover for you. There is a two year statute of limitations in Alabama. You must file and settle your claim or file suit within two years of the event that caused the injury or death otherwise your claim will be forever barred. Therefore it is very important that you do not delay in consulting an attorney. There is no cost for the initial consultation (meeting) with us. Call us today to review your case.

GENERAL CIVIL MATTERS

We handle various civil matters including defending or filing Small Claims actions. We represent parties in Uncontested Divorce cases.

Many clients come to us to send demand letters on their behalf in making a civil claim of some type where they have been previously unsuccessful acting on their own. We also review and respond to demand letters or other correspondence received by our clients.

We offer consulting services on just about any legal question you may have and our fees for those services are affordable.

If you have been a victim of discrimination on your job please come see us. We have helped persons with EEOC Claims. The EEOC will investigate the matter and either sue on your behalf or give you the right to sue upon completion of their investigation of the matter. There are time deadlines in which you must file a claim with the EEOC so do not delay. Call us today for an appointment.

MENTAL ILLNESS

We are especially proud to offer assistance to persons suffering from symptoms of their mental illness which are preventing them from safely functioning on their own. We help family and friends of these individuals get them the help they need through the Involuntary Commitment process. We prepare and file all necessary paperwork in the Probate Court. This process results in the mentally ill person being evaluated by a mental health professional. Following that evaluation a hearing is held before the Probate Judge who can order that the mentally ill person go to the Mental Health Center for treatment on an outpatient basis. In cases where the mental illness symptoms are more severe, the mentally ill person may be ordered to receive treatment on an inpatient basis at a local or state designated mental health facility.

We work closely with the Calhoun-Cleburne Mental Health Center (Now known as Highland Health Systems), the Calhoun County Mental Health Officer, Regional Medical Center Psychiatric Services Unit in Anniston, and other Mental Health Professionals in assisting individuals suffering as a result of their mental illness symptoms.

ABOUT US

Have you been arrested and charged with a crime? Have the police called you to come in and talk to them? It can turn your world upside down. It makes it hard to sleep at night. It takes away your ability to stay focused on important things like family and work. If this is what you are going through we can help. You have a right to remain silent and you should use it. Don't talk to the police until you talk to us.

At The Payne Law Firm, L.L.C. our focus in every criminal case is on challenging the state's ability to get a conviction.

We don't just look at what evidence the state has; We also look closely at what evidence they don't have!

You need an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney to help you take back the control in your life.

For more than twenty years William R. Payne has concentrated his practice in the area of Criminal Defense. He practices in all State and Municipal Courts. The Payne Law Firm, L.L.C. is located in Anniston, Alabama. Mr. Payne's practice extends throughout Northeast and Central Alabama. He represents clients in any county in the state where they may have charges.

Mr. Payne is authorized to practice in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Alabama.

Throughout his career William R. Payne has represented clients in all types of criminal charges. He handles all manner of Felony and Misdemeanor charges. He represents clients charged with property crimes such as Theft of Property, Receiving or even Identity Theft. He has represented many clients charged with offenses involving danger to other persons ranging from Domestic Violence 3rd or Assault 3rd to Felony Assault, Murder and Capital Murder.

William R. Payne handles Drug cases on an ongoing basis. His clients have been charged with offenses including Possession of a Controlled Substance, Distribution, Manufacturing and Trafficking in Illegal Drugs. We can assist with locating Drug Rehabilitation options for clients n need of those services.

In Drug Possession cases and certain other Felonies, Mr. Payne has had success in getting many clients admitted into the Calhoun County Drug Court. Drug Court offers the opportunity for clients to receive drug counseling and monitoring.

Successful completion of the Drug Court program can result in criminal charges being dismissed.

Mr. Payne is a member of the Drug Court Team in Calhoun County and has served in this capacity for many years.

We can assist some clients with alternative sentencing options that can avoid prison depending on the criminal charge and any prior criminal history. Depending on the circumstances, alternative sentencing options can include Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, and Pretrial Diversion or Deferred Prosecution. These options can lead to charges ultimately being dismissed. With Alabama's new Expungement Law it is now possible to get some charges expunged from a person's record if their charge is dismissed, nol prossed, or if the person is found not guilty following a trial. Not all charges are eligible to be expunged.

William R. Payne provides defense against DUI charges in Municipal and State Courts. He represents clients with DUI charges no matter how many DUI convictions they may have had before. DUI laws in Alabama are becoming ever more strict through legislative changes. Some recent changes include the mandatory requirement that a person have an Ignition Interlock Device installed on their designated vehicle if they are convicted of DUI. A conviction for DUI causes the suspension of your Driver's License which affects your ability to go to work and take care of your family. Depending on the facts and evidence, there may be options to avoid conviction and suspension of your Driver's License.

Don't go to court alone! You need the representation of Attorney William R. Payne for his years of knowledge and experience in handling DUI cases.

We represent clients in Probation and Parole Hearings. We also assist in efforts to get unreasonable bonds reduced to try and secure our client's release from jail.

Felony and other criminal convictions affect your rights and therefore the future for you and your family.

Contact The Payne Law Firm, L.L.C. today and let us use our years of experience to fight for you.

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Part of William R. Payne's law practice is devoted to assisting persons suffering with symptoms of Mental Illness that result in them being a danger to themselves or others and causes them not to be able to function on their own. If you know someone that is suffering in this way, then you need to contact William R. Payne about the help that may be available. Through the Involuntary Commitment process our office prepares and files the necessary paperwork in the Probate Court which results in the mentally ill person being seen by a psychiatrist and then a court hearing is held. This can lead to the mentally ill person being court-ordered to obtain mental health treatment on an outpatient basis. It could also result in the mentally ill person being ordered into a designated mental health facility for treatment on an inpatient basis.

William R.Payne has helped hundreds of people suffering with mental illness to receive treatment through this process.

William R. Payne also practices in Social Security Disability, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death, Wills, Estates and Trusts, and General Civil Matters.

Whether you are facing criminal charges, have been charged with a DUI, or have another type of legal matter confronting you, call The Payne Law Firm, L.L.C. today to schedule an appointment to discuss your case.

Let our many years of experience offer you the protection and guidance you need, and the peace of mind you deserve.