Criminal & DUI Defense

When everything is on the line, experience wins. Shaun Yurtkuran brings more than two decades of real trial skill.

About Criminal & DUI Defense

When you’re charged with a crime in Mississippi, you are not dealing with a misunderstanding—you are in a fight against the government. Police are building a case. Prosecutors are preparing to convict you. And every move you make from this point forward matters. You need a lawyer who has been on the other side of that fight. At Yurtkuran Law Firm, we bring over 20 years of criminal law experience, including a decade as a prosecutor in Hinds County handling serious felony cases. We know how cases are built from the ground up—because we used to build them. We know what prosecutors look for, how they evaluate evidence, and where they are vulnerable. Now we use that knowledge to defend you. We represent clients in municipal, justice, county, circuit, and federal courts across the Jackson metro area and the entire State of Mississippi. Every case is approached with one mindset: prepare it to win.

Built for Serious Cases

Not every lawyer is equipped to handle high-stakes criminal cases. We are.

We routinely defend clients facing:

Homicide and capital murder charges
Aggravated assault and violent felonies
Major drug cases, including trafficking and conspiracy
Firearm offenses with enhanced penalties
Repeat offender and habitual offender exposure

These are cases where the consequences are life-altering. Long prison sentences. Permanent records. No room for mistakes.

We prepare accordingly.

Federal Criminal Defense

Federal cases are a different animal. They are built over months—sometimes years—by federal agents. By the time an arrest is made, the government believes it has a strong case. Federal sentencing guidelines are strict, and the stakes are often significantly higher than in state court. We defend clients in federal cases involving, but not limited to:

Drug conspiracy and trafficking
Wire fraud and financial crimes
Firearm offenses
Federal investigations and indictments

Federal defense requires precision, strategy, and an understanding of how prosecutors think at every stage—from investigation to indictment to sentencing. We bring that experience to the table.

DUI Defense in Mississippi

A DUI charge in Mississippi is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—criminal charges. It is also one of the most defensable. Officers must follow strict legal standards when making a stop, conducting field sobriety tests, and administering chemical tests. When they cut corners—and it happens more often than people think—it creates opportunities to challenge the case.

What We Attack in DUI Cases

The legality of the traffic stop
The administration and interpretation of field sobriety tests
The accuracy and maintenance of breath or blood testing
Violations of your constitutional rights during the arrest

A DUI case is rarely as simple as it looks on paper.

Protecting Your License

A DUI arrest can trigger license suspension before your case is resolved. We work to protect your driving privileges while aggressively defending the criminal charge.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle

DUI (Driving Under the Influence): Allegations of impairment by alcohol or drugs. Even a first offense can carry serious consequences, with enhanced penalties for repeat charges.

Drug Charges: From simple possession to trafficking and conspiracy. These cases often rise or fall based on search and seizure issues and how evidence was obtained.

Assault & Violent Crimes: Includes everything from simple assault to aggravated assault and armed offenses. These cases frequently involve self-defense and credibility battles.

Domestic Violence: Charges involving family or household members. These cases move quickly and can carry immediate restrictions and long-term consequences.

Theft & Property Crimes: Burglary, auto theft, shoplifting, and embezzlement. The severity depends on the value involved and the surrounding facts.

Weapons Charges: Illegal possession or use of a firearm, often carrying enhanced penalties—especially for prior convictions.

Probation Violations: Even a technical violation can result in jail time. We work to prevent revocation and protect your freedom.

Why Local Experience Matters

Criminal cases are not handled in a vacuum—they move through real courtrooms with specific judges, prosecutors, and procedures. Having spent years prosecuting cases in Hinds County, we understand how cases are evaluated locally, how negotiations unfold, and what strategies are effective in the Hinds, Rankin and Madison County courts. That insight matters when your future is on the line.

Don’t Wait

By the time charges are filed, the State already has a head start. The earlier you get a defense attorney involved, the more opportunities there are to challenge the case, preserve evidence, and control the narrative. If you’ve been arrested or are under investigation, contact The Yurtkuran Law Firm immediately.

Working with Shaun Yurtkuran was an outstanding experience. He was incredibly transparent throughout the entire process, always keeping me informed and explaining everything clearly. His availability and responsiveness were exceptional, which made a very stressful situation much easier to manage. Thanks to his professionalism and dedication, I felt confident and supported every step of the way. I would highly recommend Shaun to anyone seeking legal representation-you'll be in excellent hands.

Eric Cooley

I was referred to the Yurtkuran Law firm after searching diligently for an affordable yet rockstar defense attorney. I was put at ease the moment I met Mr. Yurtkuran. He assured me he would do everything in his power to fight my son's cause and believe me when I say it was pretty serious. He immediately started on his case and met with him, and stayed in touch every step of the way. He was available for any and every questions we had, day or night. He exceeded every expectation I had and I'm forever grateful. If you're reading this do yourself a favor and hire this attorney. You will not be disappointed!

Stephanie G

From the initial phone call until the issue was resolved, I was blown away with the attentiveness, expertise and effort. Those are three traits that a great attorney should have. The Yurtkuran Law Firm surpassed my expectations !! He may not tell you what you want to hear, but he tells you what you NEED to hear. I can't thank him enough for the service that was provided to me. If needed again, this would be my first call.

Teddy McRaney

Shaun Yurtkuran is an outstanding lawyer. He's incredibly thorough, efficient, and knowledgeable, with extensive experience that shows. Shaun made the legal process clear and manageable, He takes the time to explain everything and answer my questions. Shaun's genuine care and expertise turned a stressful situation into a smooth experience. Highly recommend him!

John R

Shaun is very professional and intuitive about my case. He knew exactly how to resolve my issues. I highly recommend him for any legal purposes.

James Cleveland