Criminal Defense Attorneys in Florida

After an arrest, a person will typically be brought to a police station and then “booked.” During the booking process, officers will note any personal and biographical information about the individual. Officers will then use this information to look up warrants and criminal history, if applicable. The police officer will use this information to decide whether the individual can be released or if they need to be detained. If they can be released, the officer will also decide whether they need to pay bail or bond. After that, the police will file a criminal complaint, and the individual will be required to appear in court.

Everyone in the United States has the right to remain silent. If you are arrested, you can use your rights to not speak to the police or answer any of their questions. You must identify yourself to officers and tell them your name; however, you are not required to tell them anything else. It is important to note that you must verbally tell officers that you wish to invoke your right to silence; otherwise, your silence could be used against you in court. Generally, it is recommended never to speak to police officers without an attorney present.

An arraignment is a proceeding that happens in court in any criminal case. If an individual has charges brought against them, they will go to court for an arraignment hearing. During this hearing, the judge will announce any charges that have been filed. Then, the defendant can enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. At this time, prosecutors will be able to restrict the defendant’s freedoms if they are released or ask the court to enter an order of detention. A defense attorney can help argue for a defendant’s release on their behalf.

No, criminal cases do not always go to court. In fact, many criminal cases are solved outside of court. Prosecutors will often work with defense attorneys to negotiate a plea agreement. Typically, the agreement hinges upon whether the defendant produces information to assist in the case or serves a lesser penalty than the maximum sentence. If prosecutors and the defendant cannot reach an agreement, then in most cases, the case will go to court. However, if the prosecution does not have enough evidence to prove guilt, the case may be dismissed before it goes to trial.

The best time to hire a defense attorney is the moment you learn that there are charges against you. While it may be tempting to wait and see how the case develops or if the charges are dropped, having a defense attorney on your side from day one is invaluable. Our team of criminal defense lawyers can work with you to gather compelling evidence on your behalf and build a strong case in your defense. The longer you wait, the more chance the prosecution has to build a case against you. If there are criminal charges against you, reach out to an attorney today.

A misdemeanor is often considered a low-level crime. Examples of misdemeanors include disorderly conduct, indecent exposure, reckless driving, and prostitution. Because misdemeanors are generally non-violent crimes, they often carry less harsh punishments. Felonies, on the other hand, are the most extreme crimes. Examples of felonies include grand theft, first-degree murder, robbery, and corporal injury. Penalties for felonies are often much more severe and can even include the death penalty. Both misdemeanors and felonies are ranked in degrees, with third-degree being the least serious and first-degree being the most serious. However, both misdemeanor and felony convictions can leave you with a permanent criminal record.

Yes, criminal records can be sealed. Although most criminal records are permanent, there is a way to seal your records and prevent them from being available to the public. If you have a non-violent, non-sexual arrest on your criminal record, a criminal defense lawyer can work with you to apply for the record-sealing process. If you are eligible, the court can seal your criminal records so that they’re only available via the court system or through law enforcement officers. You can also apply for expungement, which deletes your criminal record like it was never there.

Yes, a warrant can be removed. A warrant is a request for an individual to appear in court. Once the individual appears in court, the warrant is removed. Because a warrant means that there is a pending criminal charge, the court has decided that there is probable cause for their arrest. A warrant may also be issued if an individual does not comply with a court order, like attending a hearing, completing probation, or paying a fine. If a warrant was issued incorrectly, then an individual may be able to get the warrant removed without an appearance before the court.