Being accused of a crime and facing criminal charges is an extremely distressing and stressful time for anyone. Criminal convictions can carry extensive punishments that have the potential to alter the course of your life and the lives of your loved ones permanently. A strong and aggressive criminal defense is your best chance at minimizing your convictions and subsequent penalties or avoiding conviction completely. An experienced criminal lawyer is essential in order to build your defense, fight your case, and ensure the best possible outcome for your future.
At The Law Place, our criminal defense attorneys understand the implications that a criminal charge can have on you and your life, and we sympathize with the anxiety that you are likely to be feeling.
We have over 75 years of experience successfully defending clients in criminal cases, and we can use our experience to help you fight your case. If you or a loved one are facing a criminal charge, contact us as soon as possible on (941)-444-4444 for a free consultation and case evaluation.
What Charges can The Law Place Defend Against?
The Law Place team is comprised of highly experienced criminal defense attorneys, including attorneys that specialize in Federal crimes and Florida DUI charges. Federal crimes are severe crimes that carry similarly severe penalties if convicted. If you are facing federal charges, an attorney with experience in this area is essential. Additionally, our specialized DUI attorneys are by far the best-placed attorneys to represent you on traffic charges such as a DUI or reckless driving in Florida.
The Law Place attorneys are highly skilled in handling criminal cases and defending the rights of our clients. We can represent you against a range of criminal charges. Our extensive experience includes:
- Drug crimes
- Battery and assault
- Armed robbery
- Domestic violence
- Kidnapping
- Money laundering
- Traffic offenses
- Sex crimes
- Fraud
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Carjacking
- Child abuse
Drug Crimes
Drug charges in Florida can range from a first-degree misdemeanor to first-degree felony charges. The penalties of which can range from fines to lengthy prison sentences with mandatory minimum terms. However, while a drug possession charge is the least likely charge to result in serious penalties, it is not be underestimated.
Florida Statute 893.13 governs the possession of narcotics and outlines the associated penalties. A conviction for cocaine possession, for example, is a third-degree felony in Florida, which is punishable by up to 5 years in the Department of Corrections.
More severe charges, such as the sale or possession of drugs with the intent to sell, are likely to result in lengthy prison sentences if convicted. These can be further compounded if you are charged with additional factors such as intent to sell within 1000 feet of a school, childcare facility, church, or park, for example.
In order to secure a conviction for the sale, purchase, manufacture, delivery, or possession of illegal drugs with intent, the prosecution must establish that you possessed a controlled substance and that you intended to sell, manufacture or deliver it.
They must also prove that you were aware that it was a controlled substance and that it was a controlled substance under Florida Statutes. Typical evidence used to prove intent in Florida includes large amounts of cash; drug packaging items; weapons; paraphernalia such as scales and mixing devices; and sufficient amounts of a substance to indicate intent.
In addition to the penalties imposed by the courts, a drug charge can carry other implications for your life in the future. A conviction could result in the termination of employment and is likely to severely impact your ability to find future employment, go to college, rent a home or secure a professional license. If you have been arrested for a drug crime, representation from a criminal defense attorney is crucial to avoid the harsh penalties imposed in the State of Florida and the subsequent implications that this will have on your quality of life in the future.
Traffic Offenses
Although traffic offenses are sometimes viewed as menial, some offenses have the potential for a criminal charge. Reckless driving is categorized as a misdemeanor in Florida, and potential punishments include jail time, fines, and a license suspension that will remain on your criminal record. Repeated violations lead to more severe punishments, and if the incident caused serious bodily harm to another person, you could be facing a third-degree offense and 5 years in jail.
A criminal charge can also mean that you are more likely to be found liable in a personal injury case, and you could be responsible for extensive financial compensation for damages.
In worst-case scenarios, leaving the scene of a car accident, or ‘hit-and-run’ in the state of Florida, could result in first-degree felony charges. Although the most severe charges are typically reserved for leaving the scene of an accident involving severe injury or death, if this is the case, you could be facing up to 30 years in prison.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
DUI laws in Florida prohibit all driving of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or above. These laws also cover driving while under the influence of both legal and illegal drugs. If you are arrested for driving under these circumstances, this could result in a DUI charge. A DUI will have serious impacts on your quality of life.
Punishments can include probation; mandatory classes; fines; suspension of your driving license, and community service. A DUI conviction will also remain on your driving record for 75 years in Florida. This could seriously reduce your ability to secure employment or access further education.
The State of Florida takes DUI cases very seriously, so much so that you can still be charged with a DUI if you are in a stationary car if you are deemed to be in control of the vehicle. This could result in the same penalties. You will need a reputable criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with a DUI to defend you against what could be a life-altering conviction.
Fraud
Although the State of Florida considers fraud to be a white-collar crime, a fraud charge can still have severe impacts on your life and freedom. Types of fraud charges include bank fraud, mail fraud, phishing, tax fraud, employment fraud, credit card fraud and insurance fraud, to name a few. Dependent on the severity of the charge, a defendant could be facing fines and jail time, ranging up to 30 years in state prison in severe cases.
There are a variety of successful defenses that skilled attorneys can utilize to fight fraud charges, including arguing the intent to defraud, and leveraging double jeopardy laws to ensure that charges are dismissed.
The Law Place criminal defense attorneys have considerable experience handling white collar crime cases including fraud, embezzlement, identity theft and racketeering and will be able to provide you with the best possible defense against these charges.
Burglary
In Florida, charges of burglary are taken very seriously by the justice system and carry harsh punishments. The law categorizes burglary offenses into 3 categories, first, second and third-degree felonies. First-degree felony burglary typically involves the use of a weapon, assault and battery or the use of a motor vehicle that causes damage to property. First-degree burglary convictions can lead to 30 years in prison.
Third-degree burglary is considered when there is no use of a weapon, no assault or battery has been committed, and the residence burglarized was unoccupied. Although this is considered the least serious of the burglary charges, it still carries a 5-year prison sentence.
A charge of burglary does not have to lead to a conviction, if you or a loved one have been charged, seek representation from a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible for the best chance at defending against the charges.
What Areas Does The Law Place Serve?
The Law Place attorneys support Floridians facing criminal charges across the state. We work out of four office bases and have skilled attorneys that serve Sarasota, Tampa, Clearwater, Fort Myers, Orlando, Venice, Port Charlotte, North Port, and Bradenton, Florida.
Why do I Need a Town ‘n’ Country Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you are facing any criminal charges in Florida, it is crucial that you seek representation from a criminal defense attorney to fight your case and defend your rights. It is not only the severe penalties imposed by the courts that need to be considered when you are faced with criminal charges, but also the long-lasting implications on your life as a consequence of conviction.
A criminal defense attorney will relentlessly gather evidence to support your case and argue the charges against you, and utilize every tool in their toolkit to either dismiss the charges or minimize them as much as possible. If you are unfortunate enough to have been arrested for a crime, no matter how severe it may seem, secure an attorney as soon as possible to build your defense and fight your charges.
Why Choose The Law Place for Criminal Defense in Florida?
At The Law Place, our attorneys have over 75 years of combined experience practicing law. Our team has handled cases in almost every county in Florida, in addition to a range of cases in Federal courts.
In order to give you the best possible defense, our lawyers will analyze and investigate any evidence that is being used against you in your case. Specifically, analyzing the validity of evidence and checking for discrepancies, alongside ensuring whether it was lawfully obtained.
Our team has been practicing criminal defense in Florida for a long time, and during this, we have built working relationships with many Judges and prosecutors. These relationships can potentially benefit your case, as we have a greater understanding of the approach and attitudes that they might take to your case, and we can plan accordingly.
As a team, we are continually up-skilling ourselves and honing our talents in criminal defense. We are knowledgeable in plea bargaining strategies that can secure our client’s more lenient sentences before a case even goes to trial. However, if your case does go to trial, our attorneys are confident and well-practiced in presenting persuasive defenses to the court that maximize your chances of success.
The criminal justice system in America is complex, and prosecutors have a great understanding of the law and how to secure a conviction. The justice system is not designed for people to defend themselves, and without a criminal defense attorney, the chances of success in criminal cases are severely diminished.
Free Consultation
We are proud to offer a free consultation and case evaluation to anyone seeking a criminal defense in Florida. Our consultations offer you a chance to discuss your case and your options with no obligations or fees. At The Law Place, we work on a contingency fee basis, during the consultation an attorney will outline our fees transparently to ensure that you are completely informed before deciding whether to proceed.
Office Locations
We have law offices located in Sarasota, Orlando, Clearwater and Tampa, Florida. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To secure your criminal defense attorney you can call us on (941)-444-4444 or visit one of our offices to discuss your options.
Contact The Law Place Criminal Defense Lawyers
Here at The Law Place, we understand better than most the impacts that a criminal conviction can have on your life and on your loved ones. We are highly skilled criminal defense attorneys with years of experience successfully defending clients in a range of criminal cases. We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to fighting your case in order to form the best possible defense in the face of a criminal conviction.