If you are being accused of a crime in Palm Harbor, FL., you may be looking for a reputable criminal defense law firm. At The Law Place, we have a team of experienced criminal defense attorneys who can offer you legal representation and protect your legal rights. If you are being charged with criminal offenses, you must contact an attorney quickly. Your liberty is at stake.
Our law firm has a team of attorneys with over 75 years of combined experienced. We have helped countless clients to get their criminal charges dismissed or reduced. An experienced criminal defense attorney at our firm will do all they can to achieve the best outcome for your criminal case.
To organize your free consultation with a criminal defense attorney at The Law Place, contact us today. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call. Phone us now at (941)-444-4444.
Florida Criminal Law
In Florida, criminal law exists to help protect the safety of its citizens. The law also exists to act as a deterrent to people who consider committing crimes. This is because the law outlines the penalties that are tied to criminal acts.
People in Palm Harbor, FL., can be prosecuted by the federal government. Although it is uncommon, the federal government will get involved with a criminal case if the crime involves them or crossing interstate lines. If you are facing federal charges in Palm Harbor, do not worry. Our criminal defense lawyers are highly experienced in working within the criminal justice system at both state and federal levels.
Different Classifications of Crime
In Palm Harbor, FL., criminal convictions are categorized into separate categories and different degrees. The two criminal classifications are misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanor convictions are the less severe of the two. The typical maximum punishment for a misdemeanor conviction is one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. It is likely that most people convicted of misdemeanors will not have to serve much, if any, jail time.
Felony charges, on the other hand, are far more severe. People who receive a felony conviction can serve at least one year in jail and receive hefty fines worth thousands of dollars. We understand how daunting and frightening it can feel to face these charges. Please do not worry. Our Palm Harbor, FL. Criminal defense lawyers have helped defend countless clients facing felony charges. We have the knowledge and experience to build you a solid defense strategy to challenge criminal accusations against you.
Some additional noncriminal violations can result in people receiving traffic tickets and other monetary tickets from law enforcement officers. For example, some traffic violations and public nuisance citations will be punished with a monetary fine.
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Types of Criminal Defense Cases
If you have been accused of committing a criminal offense in Palm Harbor, our law firm can help you. No matter the charges you are facing, an experienced criminal defense lawyer will be able to defend your interests. Some of the most common criminal cases our lawyers have worked on are stated below.
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DUI
Driving under the influence (DUI) in Palm Harbor is a serious criminal offense that is treated harshly by the state. You can be arrested for DUI if a law enforcement officer catches you operating your vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or greater. For many people, this equates to just over one drink of alcohol. It is also possible to be arrested for DUI if an officer believes that your normal faculties are impaired.
Our lawyers have offered diligent criminal defense representation to many clients facing DUI criminal charges. A common defense that we use on behalf of our clients is a procedural error. After examining your case and criminal investigation, we may be able to make the argument of procedural error. This is simply the argument that law enforcement officers acted unlawfully and therefore, the evidence held against you is void.
For example, a law enforcement officer must have reasonable suspicion that you were driving erratically and driving under the influence. If they can’t prove that there was probable cause to pull your vehicle to a stop, your case can be dropped. All law enforcement officers are required to follow strict rules and procedures. If a criminal defense attorney can prove that an attorney breached these rules, your case will more than likely be dropped.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Drug Crime
Every year, more and more people in Palm Harbor, FL., are facing charges for drug-related offenses. These offenses include the sale, possession, manufacturing, importation, and trafficking of drugs. Our legal team at our law firm has considerable experience helping people fight drug-related charges.
The penalties tied to these crimes will vary depending on many factors. For example, the number of drugs that a person is found in possession of can impact their charges. If a person is found to have over a specific amount of controlled substance in their possession, they can be charged with drug trafficking. Drug trafficking charges are very serious and will likely result in offenders serving jail time. If you are facing these criminal charges you must contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. These charges need to be taken seriously and the sooner you act, the better. This is because you will allow your criminal defense attorney more time to build you a strong defense case.
Violent Crime
Violence crimes in Palm Harbor include criminal acts where the use of violence or threat of violence was used. Some examples of these crimes include homicide, assault, battery, child abuse, kidnapping, and some sex crimes. An accused offender will receive either a felony or misdemeanor conviction depending on the extent of violence used in their case.
A good criminal defense attorney at our law firm will do all they can to get your case dropped. If this is not possible, however, they will work to get your charges reduced. For example, they may make the argument to the prosecution that a conviction for manslaughter would be more appropriate than a homicide conviction. By having your charges reduced, you will likely encounter fewer severe penalties.
Sex Crime
These crimes are treated severely by the state of Florida and can leave nasty stains on criminal records. Being convicted of sex crimes can have huge consequences on a person’s life. These crimes include acts of sexual battery, sexual misconduct, possession of child pornography, and more. If you are facing conviction for a sex crime, you must contact a Palm Harbor criminal defense lawyer now.
If you are convicted, you will be required to register as a sex offender in Florida. As a registered sex offender, your life will change drastically. For example, you will have to face severe penalties. Additionally, you can be barred from certain locations and professions. If you have been wrongfully accused of committing a sex crime, you need to act swiftly.
White Collar Crime
These crimes in Florida are typically motivated more by economics than violence. Some of these crimes include insider trading, corporate misconduct, computer crimes, tax evasion, money laundering, and more.
White-collar crimes are often very complex, and that is why it is worth seeking professional advice and representation from criminal defense lawyers. Our team at The Law Place has worked to build strong defense cases for many people facing white-collar crime criminal charges.
Domestic Violence
Crimes that can be classed as domestic violence include assault, battery, and stalking. These crimes are committed by an individual against a family member or member of their household.
These crimes are very personal, and if you have been wrongfully accused, it is often difficult to prove your innocence. A criminal defense attorney at our law firm will do all they can to help prove your innocence. They will do this by gathering as much relevant and necessary evidence as possible.
Facing domestic violence charges can feel very frightening. If you are innocent, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney with a vast amount of knowledge of the criminal justice system. These cases are not easy to defend but having a reputable lawyer on your side can hugely benefit your case.
Legal Defenses
Our lawyers have years of experience defending clients in criminal cases in Florida. To decide the best defense strategy, we first examine the criminal case and all the evidence involved. Once we have examined the case, we will decide how exactly we can best defend a case. Some of the common defenses that our criminal defense lawyers use are stated below.
Stand Your Ground Law
This law enables a person in Florida to use deadly force or threaten to use it in certain situations. For example, a person can use this force if their home or vehicle is being intruded on and they feel reasonably threatened. The law does not require a person to retreat before initiating this force.
This law can be argued by criminal defense lawyers in defense of their clients. They can argue that the defendants were simply acting in self-defense. The Stand Your Ground Law can be used in cases involving battery, murder, and manslaughter.
Alibi
It is not uncommon for victims and eyewitnesses to mistakenly identify who they think is responsible for a crime. The person wrongfully accused can then face a conviction. If a criminal defense lawyer can prove that the accused person was not at the scene of the crime when it was committed, they will be let off without conviction. This is known as having an alibi.
When you hire a criminal defense lawyer, they will immediately begin work to try and establish whether you have a solid alibi. To do this, they will gather as much evidence as possible, including surveillance footage, receipts, tickets, and witness reports.
Innocence
Criminal defense lawyers will argue the innocence of their clients if false allegations are involved. In some instances, a person will face charges for a criminal offense that doesn’t exist. For example, in sexual assault cases, a person may be facing charges of rape even though all actions involved in the case were consensual.
Procedural Errors
The Constitution of the United States protects the legal rights of all citizens being investigated by law enforcement. Every member of law enforcement is required to follow strict rules and procedures. If a law enforcement officer acts unlawfully and breaks these procedures, a case can be dropped. A criminal defense lawyer will examine individual cases to check whether all members of law enforcement involve acted lawfully.
It is necessary in most cases for law enforcement officers to have warrants before they search someone’s property. If a criminal defense lawyer can prove that no warrant was obtained, a case will likely be dropped.
Consent
The argument of consent is frequently used in breaking and entering cases and sexual assault cases. If a lawyer can prove that a victim consented to the actions of the defendant, a case can be dropped.
This defense argument cannot be used for all cases. For example, this is an invalid argument in cases of sexual assault involving children and cases where individuals lack the mental capacity to provide consent.
How Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help You in Palm Harbor
There are many ways that criminal defense lawyers can help you. These include:
- Building strong defense arguments.
- Investigate your case.
- Answer your questions.
- Help you navigate complex criminal laws.
- Help you secure plea bargains.
- Persuasively fight for your case in court.
Consequences of a Criminal Conviction
The most obvious consequences of a criminal conviction in Palm Harbor, FL., include imprisonment, fines, and community service. There are some more consequences that not everyone is aware of. These include:
- The inability or difficulty to secure mortgages or bank loans.
- Damage to personal reputation.
- A great deal of undue stress is caused to family members and loved ones.
- The inability or difficulty to secure professional licenses.
- Loss of driver’s licenses and increased insurance rates.
- Permanent criminal records can limit employment opportunities.
What Will a Criminal Defense Attorney Say to Me During My Free Consultation?
In your first initial free consultation, an attorney will answer your questions and offer you some unbiased and honest legal advice.
If you wish to proceed with your attorney, they will schedule another meeting with you where you can delve into the details of your case.
We understand that seeking professional legal help can feel daunting but it will likely be in your best interest. Your first initial consultation will be a great way of easing your nerves and receiving some much-needed reassurance. Our team of criminal defense lawyers is both reputable and experienced. You can feel rest assured knowing that your case is being dealt with in strong, professional hands.
How Expensive Are Criminal Defense Lawyers?
The expense of criminal defense lawyers will depend on the circumstances of different cases. For example, the legal fees for complex and lengthy cases will likely be greater than for smaller cases involving petty crime.
Our law firm offers competitive rates as we have the interest of our clients at heart. The work of all law firms in Florida, including ours, is monitored by the Florida State Bar Association. Therefore, you can feel rest assured knowing that you are dealing with a reputable company.
If you are facing criminal charges, your liberty may be at stake. Can you put a price on your liberty? A criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and interests.
Contact The Law Place Today!
As well as serving Palm Harbor, our criminal defense lawyers also serve the whole state of Florida. No matter where you have been arrested, we can help you. Our practice areas also include personal injury law, family law, corporate law, and more.
We can answer all of your criminal defense needs in Palm Harbor. To find out more about our legal services and to schedule your free consultation, call us now at (941)-444-4444.
