POMPANO BEACH CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

AGGRESSIVELY FIGHTING STATE AND FEDERAL CHARGES

Regardless of the level or jurisdiction of an offense, your criminal charge is serious. A conviction can lead to several consequences, whether a state or federal violation, a felony or a misdemeanor. These can include confinement, fines, and other sanctions, such as the loss of driving privileges or a requirement to register as a sex offender. You can seek to avoid or minimize penalties by aggressively fighting your charge. To resolve your case, you must go through a series of court proceedings, each with rules and nuances you might be unfamiliar with. You need an attorney on your side to guide you through the process and build a defense on your behalf.

At Hager & Schwartz, P.A., our Pompano Beach criminal defense lawyers have the knowledge and talents to combat criminal accusations against our clients. We have decades of combined experience, and both of our attorneys are former state prosecutors. Leveraging our understanding of local court procedures and insight into how the other side approaches cases, we are equipped to challenge even the most serious criminal charges at the state or federal level. Although you might have been accused of a crime, all hope is not lost. Turn to our team to learn about your legal options.

Schedule an immediate case review by calling our criminal defense attorneys in Pompano Beach by contacting us at (954) 840-8713 today.

CRIMINAL LAWYERS PREPARED TO HANDLE ALL TYPES OF CASES

State and federal statutes list various types of prohibited conduct. An alleged violation of these laws can result in severe criminal charges. But an accusation alone is not a determination of guilt. You are presumed innocent and have the right to contest the allegations against you.

However, it’s not a good idea to fight your charge alone. Instead, hire a lawyer experienced at handling matters similar to yours who can assist through all stages of your case.

The matters our criminal attorneys in Pompano Beach provide representation for include, but are not limited to:

• Assault and battery: Florida law defines simple assault as intending to commit violence upon another person, and simple battery as actually touching or striking the other individual. If the offense results in great bodily harm to someone else or the alleged offender uses a weapon, it becomes aggravated assault or aggravated battery.
• Cyber crimes: These are offenses involving the use of a computer, the Internet, or a network. Examples include possessing or distributing child pornography, malware attacks, and cyberstalking.
• Disorderly conduct: Under Florida law, a person commits this offense when they engage in behavior, such as fighting or brawling, that disturbs the peace and quiet of others.
• Resisting arrest: A person who obstructs a law enforcement official's investigation into an alleged offense can be charged with this crime. Resisting can include fleeing the scene or fighting or arguing with an officer.
• Manslaughter: This offense involves the unlawful killing of another person when the act was accidental or committed without malice aforethought.
• Murder: Florida law enumerates three degrees of murder. Whether someone is charged with first-, second-, or third-degree depends on whether the offense involved premeditation, was committed while the actor was committing or fleeing after committing a felony, or resulted from drug distribution.
• Sex crimes: This term refers to acts of a sexual nature, such as child molestation, indecent exposure, prostitution, sexual abuse, statutory rape, or sexual battery. In many cases, a person convicted of these offenses can be required to register as a sex offender.
• Weapons charges: Various offenses are considered weapons charges. These include carrying a concealed firearm, unlawfully possessing a firearm or deadly weapon, committing assault or battery with a deadly weapon, brandishing a gun, or illegally discharging a firearm.
• Domestic violence: Acts of harm or threatened harm against another person are considered domestic violence when directed at a family or household member. Family or household members include spouses, former spouses, relatives by blood or marriage, people who live or have lived together as a family, or people who have a child together.
• DUI: Charges arise when a person operates a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more or is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Theft crimes: A person commits a theft crime when they misappropriate the property of another without consent and with the intent to deprive that individual of said property either permanently or temporarily.
• Robbery: This offense is a theft crime involving using force or threatened force to take the other person’s property.
• Federal crimes: Federal offenses are those that violate federal laws, cross state or country lines, occur on federal property, or are committed against federal agents. They include, but are not limited to, drug trafficking, fraud (e.g., wire, mail, or healthcare fraud), child pornography, and kidnapping.

No case is too big or too small for our skilled team to take on.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH YOUR POMPANO BEACH CRIMINAL CASE?

Following an arrest or criminal accusation at the state or federal level, your case will go through a series of stages. The justice process facilitates your receiving a fair trial and puts the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt before you can be subject to any sanctions.

Generally, the steps in a criminal case include:

• Charges being filed. A prosecutor working on behalf of the government will review the report provided by law enforcement officials to determine whether enough evidence exists to pursue the case. If evidence is sufficient, the prosecutor will file a charging document with the court.
• Initial court proceedings. The court may schedule the defendant for several pre-trial hearings to inform them of their charges and rights.
• Plea bargain. The criminal defense lawyer may negotiate with the prosecutor to attempt to resolve the case outside of the courtroom. A plea bargain may require that the defendant plead guilty to some or all of the charges in exchange for lesser charges or penalties.
• Trial. If the case can’t be settled through a plea bargain, it will go to trial. The prosecutor and defense will present their arguments before a judge or jury. The trier of fact will decide whether the defendant is guilty.
• Sentencing. If the defendant is convicted, the court may sentence them to confinement, fines, and other sanctions. The penalties depend on whether the offense was a felony or misdemeanor or state or federal crime.

In Florida, potential conviction penalties include:

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  • Capital felony: Death or life imprisonment
  • Life felony: Up to life imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $15,000
  • First-degree felony: Up to 30 years of imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $10,000
  • Second-degree felony: Up to 15 years of imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $10,000
  • Third-degree felony: Up to 5 years of imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $5,000
  • First-degree misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and/or a maximum fine of $1,000
  • Second-degree misdemeanor: Up to 60 days in jail and/or a maximum fine of $500

At the federal level potential penalties can include:

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  • Felonies: More than 1 year of imprisonment and/or a fine
  • Misdemeanors: 1 year or less of imprisonment and/or a fine

At Hager & Schwartz, P.A., our Pompano Beach criminal defense lawyers are ready to stand up against state and federal prosecutors to seek just outcomes for our clients.

CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FOR HELP BUILDING YOUR DEFENSE

Fighting a criminal charge requires crafting a compelling narrative telling your side of the story and refuting the prosecutor’s interpretation of facts. To do this effectively, you must understand the law, analyze the evidence, and anticipate the other side’s moves. Our lawyers can take care of all these tasks for you. At the same time, we will maintain communication with you to ensure that you are aware of the progress of your case and have the information you need to make informed decisions about how we proceed.

To get started on your defense, call our criminal attorneys in Pompano Beach at (954) 840-8713 or submit an online contact form.