At the Law Offices of James A.H. Bell, P.C. we have had a long and successful history of resolving legal crisis that suddenly develop without warning or notice. What is unexpected and catastrophic for you, is just another day at the office for us. We have the resources, including investigators and experienced staff, to help you through this difficult time. We are ready to handle any and all criminal charges. Over the course of our forty-plus years of courtroom experience, we have represented persons charged with everything from shoplifting to complex first-degree capital murder.
His success as a trial lawyer is not the only role that has garnered Bell national recognition. He has also gained national and state-wide acclaim as a presenter for bar association groups. For decades, he has presented on behalf of and in conjunction with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Association for Justice (formerly the National Trial Lawyers) the National College for DUI Defense, the National Child Abuse Defense and Resource Center, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. Bell’s presentation evaluations caused him to become one of the most highly sought-after presenters on trial issues.
After returning to his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, Bell had no way to pay for his degree. Fortunately, Bell participated in a legal clinic taught by the late criminal defense attorney Robert W. Ritchie during law school. This clinic not only led to the start of Bell’s friendship with Gary Wade, the future Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, but it would lead to Bell’s first job in the legal field. His assistance on one of the clinic’s most important cases earned him a position with Ritchie’s firm. He worked there as an investigator until he graduated from law school and passed the bar exam. After Bell was sworn in as a lawyer in 1974, Ritchie and his partner, Joseph M. Tipton (who went on to serve as Chief Judge of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals), welcomed Bell on as a name partner. The firm became Ritchie, Tipton & Bell.
DUI/DWI
Don’t Plead Guilty! Contact an Experienced Tennessee DUI Defense Attorney Located in Knoxville, TN Who Will Fight to Protect Your Future!
Wrongful Death
Wrongful death in Tennessee occurs when your family member is killed by the negligence or recklessness of another person or business. The Law Offices of James A.H. Bell PC is an experienced wrongful death attorney in Knoxville Tennessee. Families of those killed by another’s negligence or reckless conduct can recover damages for lost income, loss of companionship or consortium, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Sex Crimes
Fraud
Credit card fraud schemes generally fall into one of two categories of fraud: application fraud and account takeover. Application fraud results when one person opens an unauthorized credit card account in another person’s name. Account takeovers, on the other hand, result from the criminal hijacking of an existing credit card account. The most common method used to achieve an account takeover is called “skimming.” Skimming occurs when an employee at a business has access to customers’ credit card information by virtue of their job.
Robbery
Robbery differs from theft in both severity and classification. While theft only involves obtaining property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property without the owner’s consent, the crime of robbery occurs when an individual commits the crime of theft by means of threat or violence. Consequently, robbery is classified as a crime against person, not property, and is a Class C Felony, punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. Moreover, because crimes against people are considered more severe than crimes against property, prosecutors in Tennessee are known to aggressively prosecute robbery offenses and other related charges.
Burglary
First degree murder is defined under Tennessee law as the premeditated and intentional killing of another person. The term premeditation, as it is used in the context, refers to an act done after the exercise of reflection and judgment. In other words, the intent to kill must have been formed prior to the act itself. Additionally, if someone is killed, even accidentally, during the commission of certain specified felonies, including arson, rape, robbery, burglary, theft, and kidnapping, or if someone is killed as the result discharging a destructive device or bomb, this too constitutes first degree murder under Tennessee law. First degree murder is a capital offense in Tennessee, meaning that it is punishable by death. Alternative punishments for first degree murder include life imprisonment and life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
White Collar Crimes
Mr. Bell and his associates are willing to travel to nearly any location where a case may be brought by the government. While there is no sub-specialty for the defense of pharmaceutical crimes, Mr. Bell’s office has the knowledge, experience, and skill to assist an individual or corporation that finds itself the subject matter or the target of an investigation. The Law Offices of James A.H. Bell, P.C., has the programs, tools, and equipment to contend with the thousands of documents that will often be the crux of these cases. The experience of Mr. Bell and his team of lawyers, investigators, paralegals, and experts encompasses dozens of cases across the United States and Puerto Rico. Decades of accumulating experts and contacts within the industry separate the Law Offices of James A.H. Bell, P.C., from other law firms often chosen to defend these types of cases. If you or your company is the subject or target of any civil or criminal investigation involving pharmaceutical crimes, or white-collar crimes of any nature, please contact the Law Offices of James A.H. Bell, P.C. for a consultation at (865) 637-2900, or toll-free at (877) 546-2900
Theft
Misdemeanors
Methamphetamine is classified under Tennessee law as a Schedule II Narcotic. Criminal offenses involving methamphetamine, whether it is for manufacture, sale, or distribution, carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison time, steep fines, and property forfeiture. Simple possession alone of methamphetamine is a Class A Misdemeanor and can result in up to 11 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,500. Additionally, being convicted of a drug offense can have devastating consequences to your home life, work life, and reputation in the community.
Drug Crimes
Being charged with a drug crime can have very serious consequences from the moment the charge is filed. Your property could be subject to seizure, your job could be placed in jeopardy, and your children can be removed from your home.
Assault
Sexual assault charges are unlike other criminal prosecutions in that they involve highly sensitive and unique factual and legal issues. Developing a successful defense strategy requires the skill and expertise of an experienced attorney who has the resources and ability to vigorously fight for your rights in these trying times. The attorneys at The Law Office of James A.H. Bell, P.C. have been successfully representing individuals charged with sex crimes in and around the Knoxville area for over two decades. Put our experience to work for you, and call one of our knowledgeable attorneys located in Knoxville, TN to schedule a free consultation today.
Murder
Second degree murder is defined under Tennessee law as the knowing killing of another. Second degree murder differs from first degree murder in that second degree murder does not require the element of premeditation; all that is required is knowledge of the consequences of one’s actions. A person acts “knowingly” in this context if they are aware that their conduct is reasonably certain to cause the death of another person. Additionally, if someone is killed as a result of the unlawful distribution of any Schedule I or Schedule II drug, and the drug was the proximate cause of the death of the user, this too is second degree murder under Tennessee law. Second degree murder is a Class A Felony, punishable by up to 60 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $50,000.
Identity Theft
Credit card fraud is a common form of identity theft in which one person uses the credit card information of another person, without permission, for the purpose of charging purchases to the account or removing funds from it.
Homicide
Other homicide offenses include voluntary manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless homicide, and vehicular homicide. Voluntary manslaughter is defined under Tennessee law as the intentional or knowing killing of another in a state of passion produced by adequate provocation sufficient to lead a reasonable person to act in an irrational manner. Voluntary manslaughter is a Class C Felony punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. Criminally negligent homicide is defined as criminally negligent conduct that results in death. Criminally negligent homicide is a Class E felony, punishable by up to 6 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $3,000. Reckless homicide under Tennessee law is the reckless killing of another person. Reckless homicide is a Class D felony, punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000. Lastly, vehicular homicide is defined under Tennessee law as the reckless killing of another by the operation of an automobile, airplane, motorboat or other motor vehicle. Vehicular homicide ranges from a Class D felony, punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment to a Class B Felony, punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment, depending on the presence or absence of alcohol, drugs, and certain other factors.
Arson
Arson is one of the most serious criminal offenses a person can be charged with. Arson is defined in Tennessee as knowingly damaging any structure by means of a fire or explosion either: (1) without the consent of all persons who have a possessory, proprietary or security interest therein; or (2) with intent to destroy or damage any structure to collect insurance for the damage or destruction or for any unlawful purpose. Arson is a Class C Felony, punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. However, if an act of arson is committed at a place of worship, then the offense becomes a Class B Felony, punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment at a fine of up to $25,000. If you or anyone you know has been arrested and charged with arson it is important that you contact a skilled Tennessee arson defense attorney as soon as possible.
Forgery
One common offense involving prescription drugs is prescription fraud, which is defined as knowingly or intentionally obtaining, or attempting to obtain, a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge. Prescription fraud is a Class D Felony, punishable by up to 12 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. This, of course, is in addition to the fines and penalties that go along with the possession, sale, or distribution of the drug itself, which could themselves be quite severe.
Money Laundering
Around 1985, Mr. Bell began to represent more and more professionals for wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering crimes. By the end of the 1980s, Mr. Bell had several celebrated trial victories in federal court after acquiring acquittals for his white-collar clients. He became known as a lawyer capable of quickly providing an extremely comprehensive defense. Bell and his legal team uncover facts unknown to or overlooked by prosecutors. On many occasions, this evidence has resulted in a case not being prosecuted.
Kidnapping
Manslaughter
Homicide offence, whether it is first or second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, or vehicular homicide, it is critical that you obtain the assistance of an experienced attorney immediately. The attorneys at The Law Offices of James A.H. Bell, P.C. have the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to defend your case and fight for your interests. Our attorneys have participated in numerous homicide trials and have been successfully defending homicide charges in and around the Knoxville area for decades. Additionally, our in-house private investigator conducts an independent investigation into the facts of every new case. Put our experience to work for you, and call one of our knowledgeable attorneys located in Knoxville, TN to schedule a free consultation today.
Internet Crimes
Prostitution
Child Prostitution: when a minor engages in sexual activity in exchange for money, it is considered child prostitution. In many cases of child prostitution, pimps and other businessmen looking to make a profit, after he/she has been kidnapped or has run away from home enticed the child into prostitution.
In a premises liability case, you are in a better position to seek compensation if you had a reason for being on the property, such as shopping or being a guest. We can also handle cases involving common carriers such as elevators, escalators, and public transportation.
Property Damage
While everybody knows that trespassing is against the law, many people do not realize that there does not have to be any theft, property damage, or vandalism involved for trespassing to constitute a criminal offense. Criminal trespassing in Tennessee is defined simply as entering or remaining on property, or any portion of property, without the consent of the owner. Being convicted of a criminal offense of any kind, even for trespassing, can have devastating consequences, including losing your job, costly fines, and even jail time.
Have you been injured in a pedestrian accident? Let the skilled personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices James A.H. Bell, P.C. help you get the compensation you deserve.
Auto Accidents
Slip and Fall Injury
When most people think of a slip and fall accident, they think of a falling accident in a store or business. However, accidents also happen in homes. All property owners are responsible for maintaining their premises in a reasonably safe condition for guests. If you fall and injure yourself at a store, business, or someone else's property, you should contact a slip and fall accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights for compensation. Slip and fall injuries can affect your life for months or even years into the future. However, many property owners and insurance companies do not take these cases seriously until you hire a slip-and-fall accident attorney.