Criminal law relates to offenses against the public order. The federal government, along with cities and states, define and prosecute people who commit crimes that range from minor traffic violations, to serious, violent offenses, such as murder. People who are charged with a crime are called defendants, and they are represented by criminal defense attorneys.
Being accused of a crime and being prosecuted for the alleged crime is a frightening and stressful situation. No matter how minor the charge may seem, you should be represented by knowledgeable, competent attorneys, who can work through the criminal justice system, give you zealous representation and minimize the impact of the proceedings on your life. Being convicted of a criminal offense can result in the loss of liberty and civil rights, fines and court costs, loss of privileges, a criminal record and the tarnishing of your good name. Many criminal charges can be successfully defended, thereby preserving your privileges and avoiding jail time. Frequently, it can be shown that the police officer's decision to arrest you was improper or unlawful.
We will present evidence favorable to your case and try to help you document your innocence. Law enforcement can arrest a defendant if they have "probable cause" to believe a crime was committed and that the defendant committed the crime. Probable cause is a low, easy standard for law enforcement to meet. At the time of arrest, the police will draft a document called a "probable cause affidavit" which will describe the crime the person arrested allegedly committed. A copy of this affidavit will be filed with the court and State Attorneys Office.
If you have been arrested:
- Do Not Wait - Call a criminal defense attorney immediately
- Do Not Talk - to the police investigators or anyone else about your case.
- Write Down - all of the facts about your case as soon as possible. You might forget important details by the time your case goes to court.
The State of Florida must prove that you are guilty of the charges against you beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt. The charges could be completely erroneous or false. The circumstances of your arrest may be subject to legal attack. It is important that you have a skilled defense attorney on your side in order to protect your legal rights. Our attorneys deal specifically with criminal cases in the following areas:
- Traffic Offenses: speeding, driving too fast for conditions, improper or excessive lane changing, careless driving, stop sign violations, failure to obey traffic control device, accidents, equipment malfunctions.
Some criminal charges are dropped after a defendant's defense attorney negotiates with the prosecutor. In some cases, the defendant pleads guilty to a less serious charge in exchange for the prosecutor's agreement to drop the more serious charges. The final decision to accept a proposed plea agreement always rests with the defendant. Click here to read more about the processes associated with a criminal charge.
Depending upon the severity of the crime committed, a defendant who is found guilty may be sentenced to serve some period of probation, pay a fine, perform community service, make restitution or pay for the monetary losses caused by the crime, or to serve some time in prison. An experienced criminal defense attorney will know how to work with a prosecutor to fashion a deal that provides for the least severe punishment possible. If no deal can be made, the attorney can provide an aggressive defense in court, to convince the jury that the prosecutor cannot prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant committed the crime.
If you are facing charges without a criminal defense lawyer and you have not entered a guilty plea, you still have an opportunity to obtain representation for your protection. The attorneys at the Baird Law Group understand the process and the impact it can have on your life. If you have been accused of a crime, or if you know someone who has been accused of a crime, do not delay in contacting us for a confidential consultation today.
