Why You Need a Competent Criminal Defense Attorney

If you're faced with a criminal charge, you need to mount the best criminal defense possible. By hiring a competent criminal defense attorney who exudes the following qualities, you can be more assured of a positive outcome for your case.

3 Defenses Against Domestic Violence Charges

As per the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, there were over 65,000 domestic violence-related arrests in 2012 alone. The punishment for this type of offense is contingent on the nature and seriousness of the act, and may include serious consequences like fines, probation, and long-term jail time. Additionally, a person who commits such crime is ineligible for both record sealing and expungement, under Florida Statutes Section 741.28, regardless of whether the judgment is withdrawn. In short, if you plead guilty to a domestic battery charge, your record for that offense becomes permanent. 

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.

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.

When Search Warrants Aren’t Needed

Police officers typically need a warrant before they are legally allowed to search you or your property. This limitation helps protect people from factors such as discrimination. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule.

Although warrants are necessary to conduct searches, there are times when an officer is allowed to do so without a warrant. In most cases, it is because the officer has reason to suspect a crime. These include:

Evidence in “Plain Sight”

This means a police officer finds incriminating evidence without having to deviate from standard protocol. For example, if an officer notices a bag of marijuana in your front seat during a routine traffic stop, he or she has the right to search your entire vehicle.

Criminal Defense Strategies: Self-Defense

The court is the legal battleground for the victim and thee accused as well as their lawyers. Even with the odds against either party, they’ll try every trick in the law book to secure a favorable verdict, if not claim unanimous victory. In this fight, a reduced sentence might as well be the coveted prize.