Criminal charges in Florida
You have been arrested, and the prosecution has already started its case against you. What you do in the next few hours matters more than anything that happens later.
Four things to do immediately
Keep your mouth shut
You will not help yourself by giving a statement. Law enforcement is not your friend, and they have no intention of helping you.
Do not consent to a search
You are never required to consent. Make the State do its work within the limits of the Constitution.
Ask for a lawyer
Tell the officer you want a lawyer. That one word stops all further questioning.
Hire a lawyer
The State has already begun collecting forensic evidence and questioning witnesses. Do not give it a head start.
Your defense
Although I am a criminal defense lawyer, it is always better to be on the offensive. You must be aggressive in investigating the facts of the charge.
- 01
Demand the evidence
I file a Written Plea of Not Guilty and Demand for Discovery. This obtains everything the State intends to use: police reports, witness statements, video, medical reports, and scientific tests.
- 02
Attack the case
I review the evidence for procedural errors and violations of your rights that support pre-trial motions, such as a Motion to Suppress or Motion to Dismiss.
- 03
Lock in the witnesses
I question all witnesses, often by deposition. If a witness testifies differently at hearing or trial, the previous statement exposes the inconsistency.
Your rights
You have Constitutional rights, and I urge you to use each one. You have the right to remain silent; that right is found in the 5th Amendment and protects you from self-incrimination. The only thing you should say is one simple word: lawyer.
You have the right to have counsel present during all interrogations. Requesting a lawyer at the time of your arrest stops all further questioning. That right is found in the 6th Amendment and allows a lawyer to represent you at every stage of the proceeding.
Most cases end with a negotiated plea, but I prepare and defend every case with the intent of going to trial. That readiness is what produces results.
Do not waive your rights. Invoke them.
Let's talk about your case.
813.438.6869Let me draw on more than thirty years of trial experience to build the strongest possible case. Call or email to schedule a consultation.