Criminal Defense Questions

What should I do when I have been charged with a crime?
The first thing you should do is speak with an experienced West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer about your case. Without a deep understanding of the law, you run the risk of making statements to investigators that could incriminate you and leave you in an even worse position. Your attorney can advise you of your rights and help you navigate the situation with the least damage to your reputation and freedoms. I have served as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney in West Palm Beach. Throughout the years of my service, I have seen countless criminal cases and understand the criminal process from start to finish. My 20 years of experience will prove invaluable to the outcome of your case because I understand how the system works and how to fight for your rights. If you have been charged with a crime, you should be proactive about your future and seek the help of an experienced attorney immediately. There is no time to wait.

I was arrested for drunk driving and there is proof that I was over the legal limit. What can I do to avoid a conviction?
Each case is unique, and there is no pat answer to resolving a DUI charge, but there are certain questions that have to be asked about any drunk-driving arrest. Did the police officer have probable grounds for suspicion that prompted him to pull you over, or was it an illegal traffic stop? Was the field sobriety test or breathalyzer test that determined whether you were over the limit performed flawlessly, or were there factors present that could invalidate the test, such as faulty operation of the testing equipment or environmental conditions that would make it difficult to pass? If you work with an attorney who has a background with DUI cases you may be able to prevent a guilty verdict despite any evidence against you.

How much will it cost me to hire an attorney?
The final cost of your legal defense will depend on how much effort it takes to resolve your case. Misdemeanor crimes frequently entail less work than a felony crime like drug trafficking, but no two cases are the same and it is impossible to predict with 100% accuracy the cost of any criminal defense case. The alternative to hiring a skilled lawyer to represent you is exposing yourself to an increased risk of a guilty verdict and being forced to serve a term in jail or prison, pay fines that commonly range in the thousands of dollars, perform community service and live with a criminal record. I believe that every American is innocent until proven guilty, and at my firm you can set up a payment plan so that you can enjoy the benefits of professional legal counsel.

What can I do if I have already been convicted?
Being charged for a crime is a difficult place to be. You fear what could happen if convicted. If you have already suffered a guilty sentencing you have already had to deal with this. You may have completed your sentencing but are still facing difficulties from the lingering cloud that is left by a conviction. It can hinder you in many ways, including restraining many individuals from being able to retain a job or live in certain areas. An expungement can help solve this issue. For those that have not been given an expungement, the information regarding a conviction is open to the public. It can be found within seconds by a potential employer conducting a background check of an individual they are considering hiring. When an expungement is granted by the court this information will be sealed and can only be accessed by certain parties.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?
These are two serious forms of criminal accusations. They can both come with detrimental penalties from the court including jail time, license suspension, costly fines, probation and more. A felony is known to be the more serious charge between the two and can come with an even higher level of repercussions. A misdemeanor is still significant through and a guilty verdict can be harmful to those that suffer one. Some crimes can be considered a felony, while others remain a misdemeanor. Other crimes will walk the fence and it will be dependent on the details of the situation to determine which way they will be charged.

Is stalking a crime?
Some people may not recognize how serious their actions are considered. It may have been innocent in nature but if the attention that is being given is unwanted by the recipient, then it can turn into a criminal act to continue on. It can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony charge depending on the circumstances, such as if serious threats were made or it is against a child that is younger than 16.

What is considered "disorderly conduct?"
Many people may not recognize when they are out with their friends, just how rowdy they may appear to those around them. After a few drinks others may not realize how loud or out of hand they are being perceived as. Disorderly conduct involves disturbing the peace, such as causing a scene in a public area whether it is through indecency or fighting. This is misdemeanor charge but it can be further elevated when other charges are made with it, such as resisting arrest from an officer. The charge on its own can include fines and jail time as a punishment.