Mary Sullivan Moore, Attorney At Law in Chattanooga: Misdemeanor and Felony Criminal Defense

Mary Sullivan Moore practices criminal defense from an office in Chattanooga, handling both misdemeanor and felony cases. Her practice sits in a competitive local market where defendants must choose between private counsel and public defenders, with meaningful differences in availability, approach, and cost.

What Criminal Defense Counsel Actually Does

A criminal defense attorney represents people charged with crimes at arraignment, plea negotiation, trial, and sentencing. The work differs sharply from prosecution or civil litigation: the attorney's job is not to establish guilt or innocence but to protect the client's constitutional rights, challenge evidence, and pursue the best available outcome. That outcome might be acquittal, case dismissal, negotiated plea with reduced charges, or mitigation at sentencing. Success is not always avoiding conviction; it is often minimizing collateral consequences like employment impact, professional licensing loss, or immigration consequences.

Criminal Defense Fee Structure and Consultation

Sullivan Moore charges a consultation fee (verify amount and duration before contact). A criminal defense consultation should cover the charges, evidence the prosecution has disclosed, potential defenses, realistic outcomes, and fee basis for representation. Some attorneys work on flat fees for specific services (misdemeanor plea, felony trial preparation); others use hourly billing. Flat fees are predictable but may not cover unexpected discovery or extra court appearances. Hourly billing aligns cost with actual time spent but leaves the final bill uncertain. Sullivan Moore's engagement basis should be clarified in the initial consultation before retaining her.

How This Fits Chattanooga's Criminal Defense Landscape

Chattanooga defendants typically choose between three routes: private counsel like Sullivan Moore, a public defender through the Hamilton County Public Defender's Office, or a private attorney for limited representation (sometimes motion-only or appeal work). Public defenders handle high volume and have limited time per case; they are free to eligible defendants but offer no choice of attorney. Private attorneys typically devote more time per client and allow case-specific strategy, but at significant cost. The Public Defender's Office handles approximately 85% of felonies in Hamilton County, meaning most criminal cases move through that system; private counsel serves a smaller but distinct cohort of clients who can afford private representation or seek a second opinion on a public defender's recommendation.

Who Should Retain Criminal Defense Counsel and Who Should Not

Private criminal defense counsel is appropriate for clients who can afford it and face serious charges (felonies, high-consequence misdemeanors), have complex factual or legal issues, face immigration consequences, or dispute their public defender's strategy. It is less appropriate for straightforward misdemeanor cases with strong prosecution evidence where a public defender has the time and expertise to negotiate well. Consulting with private counsel before accepting a public defender's plea recommendation is common and low-cost; paying for full trial representation is high-cost and should be chosen only when necessary or when the stakes justify it.

What the First Consultation Involves

In the initial meeting, bring all charging documents, police reports, witness statements, and any evidence the prosecution has disclosed. Be prepared to describe the facts from your perspective, your prior record, your employment and family situation, and any collateral consequences you face. The attorney will explain the charge elements, plea exposure, discovery timeline, and what trial preparation would involve. Ask whether she has trial experience in your specific charge category (drug possession, assault, DUI, felony theft, etc.); criminal law is broad, and an attorney's experience with one crime type does not automatically transfer. A consultation is also your chance to assess rapport and trust; you are not obligated to retain the first attorney you meet.

Hours, Contact, and Logistics

Verify current office hours before contact. Criminal defense work does not follow a standard business schedule; cases move through court dockets, and scheduling depends on court calendars. Many criminal defense practices accommodate evening and weekend consultations. If Sullivan Moore has a published phone number, that is the correct first point of contact. If you are in custody, coordination with bail hearings and jail visitation schedules takes priority.

Criminal defense counsel in Chattanooga earns a role not in motion and plea work but in protecting rights at the moment they are most vulnerable. Sullivan Moore's practice fills that role for clients who prioritize private representation over the public system.