When Meeting a Lawyer for the First Time

Meeting a lawyer for the first time may seem like a daunting task as you may feel nervous or anxious about your situation. Fortunately, there are a few tips that can help you before you meet with a lawyer. Here are some of them.

Prepare to Explain

Preparation is critical when you meet with a lawyer. Therefore, take time and think about what you are going to say. It can help greatly to write down the entire story. When you do this, it will help you to remember details about what happened. Some people prefer to use a few note cards as reminders to highlight specific points. You may want to practice what you will say to a friend to make sure you remember everything.

Bring Necessary Documentation

You may have a document that orders you to show up in court. Bring it with you. There may be other documents that can pertain to your situation. Bring those documents as well. Legal professionals like to see documentation, and it can help them as they assess your case and respond to your queries.

Dress Appropriately

Remember that you are visiting with a lawyer. You are not on a date or simply going out with friends; thus, dress appropriately. A semi-formal or business attire is a great way to go. When you dress appropriately, you may gain a sense of confidence as you visit with a lawyer. Furthermore, you are showing a lawyer that you care about the meeting.

Options for Criminal Defense

If you have been accused of a crime in the Tampa area, you might wonder what types of defense you could use. The answer depends on many factors, including the crime that you are accused of, the circumstances surrounding the crime, and the evidence, among others. Below are a few of the potential defenses accessible to a defendant.

Pleading Innocent

Defendants may choose to plead innocent. They might back up this plea with evidence, such as witnesses who could provide an alibi demonstrating that the defendant was somewhere else at the time the crime took place. Other types of evidence, such as forensic evidence, might point to someone else being responsible for the crime instead of the defendant.

Other Explanations

In some cases, defendants might admit that they committed an act but argue that they acted in self-defense. In other cases, they might argue entrapment if it appears that law enforcement has caused them to do something they otherwise might not. For example, a defendant persuaded to buy drugs by an undercover police officer might claim entrapment.

Lesser Charges

Even a defendant who does not claim to be entirely innocent may have options. For example, a defendant charged with first-degree murder might explain as part of the defense that he or she did not intend to harm the person who died.

Plea Bargain

Another possibility is pleading guilty without going to trial. In a plea bargain, a defendant usually pleads guilty to lesser charges and receives a lighter sentence.

Noted Tampa Criminal Attorney on Defense Against Child Porn Possession

Sexual offenses involving children always infuriate many Americans, so lawmakers do not hesitate to impose heavy punishments on those caught with child pornography. In Florida, possession of child pornography is classified as a class three felony. Viewing obscene computer images, videos and photographs involving minors is punishable by up to 5 years of imprisonment. One landmark case that spurred debate on the severity of the punishment involves a man who was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole after hundreds of pornographic images were found on his home computer. Indeed, possession of child pornography is a serious crime, but as in any other case, an accused individual also has rights that need to be upheld, including the right to defend himself in court. There are several defenses that someone accused of child pornography possession may use, with the help of a trusted Tampa criminal attorney.
http://www.floridadefense.com/2015/04/22/noted-tampa-criminal-attorney-on-defense-against-child-porn-possession/

Fighting Your Sexual Assault Charge

Florida views sexual assault as a serious crime, so if you’re charged with it, never take it lightly. Aside from the penalties and fines associated with it, being charged with sexual assault in Florida entails grave long-term consequences such as being registered as a sex offender.

Also known as rape, sexual abuse, and sexual battery, sexual assault is a crime that occurs when an accused individual intentionally commits any of the prohibited sexual activities enumerated in the state's sexual assault laws without the consent of the victim, or when the victim is a minor.

You Need the Services of a Tampa DUI Attorney Immediately Upon Arrest

Driving under the influence increases the risks of car accidents. To prevent this, DUI laws in Tampa, Florida are indubitably strict. A proven charge may lead to imprisonment, fine, and license revocation. You may also be required to undergo alcohol teaching and prevention programs. These consequences, however, are just short-term. DUI’s long-term effects, such as losing employment opportunities and having a life-long bad driving record, couldn’t be more damaging. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced Tampa DUI attorney, you can avoid these dire effects. A DUI attorney knows the law and therefore can help set you on your path to freedom. However, there are certain things you may need to know if you find yourself in a DUI arrest situation.
http://www.floridadefense.com/2015/04/21/you-need-the-services-of-a-tampa-dui-attorney-immediately-upon-arrest/

When Your Teen Has a Run-in with the Law

The teenage years are a time when your child is supposed to make mistakes and learn from them. Unfortunately, whether due to being caught up in the moment or simply being in the wrong place with the wrong people, some teenagers may find themselves arrested by the police.

Of course, no one wishes or expects such a scenario to happen to their child, but knowing what actions to take in case it does can help get your child out of trouble faster. In the event your child has a run-in with the law, keep these steps in mind:

There’s No Time for Anger

Keep a cool head and try to figure out what happened and where your child currently is. The last thing you want to do is to add more stress and fear in your teen. The most important thing here is that you get your child out of jail as quickly as possible.