If you have been arrested in Spring Hill, FL, and are facing criminal charges, you may be feeling overwhelmed and scared. A criminal conviction can change lives forever. The best thing you can do is get in contact with reputable criminal defense lawyers. At The Law Place, our legal team can examine your case and offer you some honest legal advice. Our lawyers, combined, have over 75 years of experience practicing law. We have helped countless clients with their criminal defense matters, and we can help you too.
The sooner you contact a dedicated criminal defense lawyer, the better. To organize a free consultation with a premium criminal lawyer, call us now at (941)-444-4444.
Criminal Law in Florida
Criminal law exists in Florida to protect its citizens. The law outlines crimes and establishes penalties for those crimes. It further exists to act as a deterrent. Once a person understands that a certain act is illegal and how it is punished, they may think again about committing it. It is possible for criminals in Spring Hill to go to trial in both state and federal courts.
Although it is possible to be prosecuted by the government of the United States, it is uncommon. The government generally only involves itself in criminal cases that involve them or involve crossing interstate lines.
At The Law Place, we can offer accused offenders diligent criminal defense representation. Our lawyers have a vast amount of experience dealing with criminal offense cases at both state and federal levels.
Different Classifications of Crime
Criminal charges in Florida are divided into two groups: misdemeanor charges and felony charges. Felonies are considered to be far more severe than misdemeanors. This is because they carry much larger penalties and are awarded for more serious crimes.
The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor conviction is up to one-year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine. However, it is fairly uncommon for offenders charged with misdemeanors to spend time in jail. There are additional noncriminal violations that can result in people receiving fines in Spring Hill. For example, tickets can be given to people for traffic violations and being a public nuisance.
Felony criminal charges will likely require an offender to serve jail time. The amount of time that an offender will have to serve will depend on the severity of the crime they have been accused of committing. If you have been wrongfully accused of committing a crime, you need to contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. You may unfairly be facing years behind bars. At The Law Place, we will fight for your liberty.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day.
Types of Criminal Defense Cases
Our criminal defense lawyers have worked on a range of criminal offense cases. We have gathered a vast amount of knowledge and experience over the years that can prove to be very beneficial to your case. Some of the criminal defense cases that we have previously worked on include the following.
DUI
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/ or drugs in Spring Hill is a serious offense. This is a crime that is punished very severely by the state, and it is worth fighting.
A police officer will arrest a driver for DUI if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is at .08% or higher. They will also arrest a driver if they notice that their normal faculties are impaired. Before a driver is arrested, an officer will likely request that they complete a breathalyzer test and/ or field sobriety test.
In cases of DUI, an experienced criminal defense attorney will likely argue that an error was made during these procedures. For example, if an attorney can prove that the officer wasn’t qualified to administer such tests or the breathalyzer machine wasn’t calibrated properly, a case can be dropped. Furthermore, a police officer must prove beyond reasonable doubt that they had a legitimate reason to pull a vehicle to a stop. If there was no probable cause to stop the driver, a case can also be dropped.
Drug Offenses
Drug offenses also carry hefty penalties in Spring Hill, FL. People can be arrested for drug offenses for possession, sale, manufacturing, delivery, importing, and possession with intent to sell. Even if a person is found with a small amount of controlled substance on them, they will likely face harsh punishment. It is also easy for people to get accused of drug trafficking if they are found to have drugs in their possession. If found guilty, a person could be sent to jail.
These offenses should not be taken lightly. Mistakes happen, but they should not ruin your life or future. If you are facing conviction for drug offenses, you need to speak to a criminal defense lawyer today. At The Law Place, we can offer you aggressive legal representation.
Violent Crimes
In Spring Hill, these crimes involve violence or the threat of violence. The most common violent crimes include homicide, battery, assault, child abuse, robbery, and kidnapping. In cases where a person has allegedly used brute violence to harm someone severely, they will likely face felony convictions.
An experienced trial attorney in Spring Hill will do all they can to get their client’s case dropped. However, this is not always possible. In this scenario, an attorney will try and get their client’s charge reduced. For example, they may argue that their client deserves to be convicted of manslaughter instead of homicide. The penalties attached to manslaughter are far less severe than those attached to homicide.
Sex Offenses
These crimes include sexual battery, child pornography, sexual misconduct, and more. Being convicted of these crimes can change a person’s life forever. It is hugely important to fight these accusations if you are wrongfully accused.
People who are found guilty of these sex crimes will be required to register as sex offenders. This can restrict a person’s day-to-day life and the opportunities available to them greatly.
Theft Offenses
Theft offenses refer to robbery, theft, and grand theft. These crimes are measured in different degrees. The greater the amount of property stolen, the greater the degree of crime committed. The penalties that thieves receive will depend again on the value of the property they’ve stolen. For example, a person who commits grand theft and steals over $100,000 will be penalized more severely than a person who shoplifts groceries.
If you have been wrongfully accused of theft in Spring Hill, it is worth contacting some criminal defense lawyers.
White Collar Crimes
These offenses are typically more motivated by economics than violence. Some white-collar crimes include Medicare fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, insider trading, and corporate misconduct. Offenses of this nature are usually very complex. It can be difficult to defend yourself if you have been accused of committing a white-collar crime and that is why you should allow lawyers to aid you with your criminal defense needs.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence encompasses the crimes of assault, stalking, and battery. These offenses are committed by a member of a household against another member of the household, usually a spouse or family member.
People accused of domestic violence can have injunctions placed against them. This means that they will be restricted from visiting the victim’s house, property, or workplace.
In Spring Hill, it is not uncommon for people to be falsely accused of domestic abuse. If you have been accused and are unfairly suffering the consequences, it is in your best interest to seek professional legal assistance.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
Common Defenses Used by a Spring Hill Criminal Defense Lawyer
Our criminal defense lawyers have a vast amount of experience defending clients in criminal cases. Different defense arguments can be used based on the specific circumstances of a case. Some of the more common defenses our criminal defense lawyers have used are stated below.
Stand Your Ground
This is a law that is often used to help defendants in criminal cases involving violence. The law allows for a person to use or threaten to use deadly violence in certain situations. These situations can include when a person’s home is intruded upon and they feel reasonably threatened. A criminal defense lawyer will then argue that the defendant acted in self-defense.
Innocence
If there are false accusations involved, criminal defense lawyers can argue the innocence of their clients. It is not uncommon for defendants to be falsely identified by victims and witnesses. If you are innocent and are facing a conviction in Spring Hill, you must contact a reputable law firm.
Procedural Errors
All members of law enforcement in Spring Hill are required to abide by strict and proper procedures. If they have breached these procedures or have acted improperly, the evidence they have gathered against the defendant could be ruled invalid.
For example, a police officer will generally need to obtain a warrant before they search someone’s property. If your criminal defense attorney can prove that a police officer in your case did not receive a warrant and acted improperly, your case may be dropped.
Alibi
If you have been wrongfully accused of a crime, with the help of a criminal defense lawyer, you will be able to provide an alibi. This means that you will be able to show proof that you were physically not at the scene of the crime as it was committed. If your alibi proves to be solid, your charges will likely be dropped.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
The Additional Consequences of a Criminal Conviction
There are more consequences to a criminal case than simply fines, criminal records, and imprisonment. Some of the additional consequences of conviction can include:
- Loss of a driving license.
- A rise in insurance rates.
- Inability to travel internationally.
- Damage to a reputation.
- Undue stress caused to family and loved ones.
- Difficulty securing bank loans and mortgages.
- Limited employment opportunities.
If you are wrongfully proven guilty of a criminal charge, these consequences can have a dramatic impact on your life. You need to speak to criminal defense lawyers for the best chance of avoiding these consequences and securing a favorable outcome.
What Happens When I Call Criminal Defense Attorneys at the Law Place?
When you contact The Law Place for a free consultation, one of our criminal defense lawyers will examine the legitimacy of your case and offer you some unbiased legal advice. If you wish to proceed with help from our criminal defense lawyers, you will then be able to schedule another consultation.
In the next consultation, we will gather some more details from you about your case and begin work building a defense strategy. We know that many people can feel daunted by the prospect of seeking legal advice, but you don’t have to worry about a thing. An experienced criminal defense attorney at our firm will be able to guide you through the whole legal process.
Contact The Law Place Today!
Our law firm offers a range of criminal defense services. No matter the conviction you are facing, we can help you in Spring Hill. No case is too big.
If you want to book your free consultation with a Florida criminal defense attorney, call our law office today at (941)-444-4444.
