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All posts by Will Dick

Violent Crimes

By in Crime Law Tag

Violent Crimes

Florida has some of the most severe penalties for violent crimes in the country. Violent crimes, including the crime of robbery, are charged as second-degree felonies in Florida. If convicted, penalties may include:

  • Prison sentence of up to 15 years (up to 30 years if a weapon is used)
  • Fines of up to $10,000

Violent Crimes

Robbery, home invasion robbery and carjacking, as well as other violent crimes, are subject to enhanced sentencing guidelines for “prison release reoffenders” under Florida statutes. This means that if the accused has committed any violent crime within three years of his or her release following a state prison sentence of one year or more, the accused is subject to much more severe sentencing.

If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with robbery or other violent crime, seek legal advice from Broward County violent crimes attorneys as soon as possible. Criminal defense attorneys with experience in robbery and other violent crimes will have the expertise to conduct a thorough investigation of your case and build the strongest defense possible on your behalf.

Robbery defined

A charge of robbery applies when money or property is taken unlawfully and intentionally from another by threat or use of force, violence or assault. Unlike burglary or theft, the victim is present during the commission of the crime. There are other types of robbery, which include:

  • Robbery by sudden snatching
  • Robbery with a deadly weapon
  • Robbery with a firearm
  • Home invasion robbery
  • Carjacking

You will improve the odds of a positive outcome in your case if you obtain legal counsel as soon possible. The options available to you will depend on the unique facts of your case. With so much to risk, seeking the advice and representation from experienced Broward County robbery lawyers will go a long way toward the securing the best possible outcome in your case.

Broward County robbery arrests vs. convictions between June 2008 and June 2009 :

Violent Crimes

  • There were 832 defendants arrested and charged with robbery
  • There were 112 cases dismissed or acquitted before trial
  • Plea bargains were offered to 560 defendants.
  • Following a jury trial, 12 defendants were acquitted or had their cases dismissed

The number of pre- and post-trial dismissals and acquittals underscore the importance of securing skilled representation. In Broward County, including the cities of Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Pompano, violent crime lawyers offer skilled counsel to defend you against charges of this nature. When facing violent crime or robbery charges, your life and future are at stake. Obtain experienced legal assistance to protect your rights and present the best defense for your case.

Drug Trafficking Defense

By in Defense Law Tag

Drug Trafficking

This State has strict laws concerning drug charge convictions. For offenses committed after October 1995, Florida requires convicted offenders to serve a minimum of 85% of their sentence. Many offenders serve more. Including county jail and prison time, those convicted of drug offenses serve an average of 27.6 months (87.4 percent) of their sentences.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for drug trafficking, conspiracy, running a grow house, drug importation or drug mule charges in Broward County, drug crimes attorneys can provide the effective legal representation you need, which can improve your chances for a better outcome.

Broward County Drug Charge Dismissals and Acquittals

With expert representation, drug charges might be reduced or dismissed before trial or the accused might be acquitted during trial. Between June 2008 and June 2009, 9,410 counts for drug charges were filed in Broward County. Of these:

  • Approximately 40 percent of drug-related charges tried before a jury were dismissed or acquitted
  • There were 1,672 counts of drug-related charges dismissed before trial
  • Plea agreements were accepted on 6,675 counts
  • All cases proceeding to non-jury trials were acquitted or dismissed of drug charges

The high numbers of cases dismissed or acquitted before and after a jury trial illustrate how a skilled criminal defense attorney can improve the chances for a positive outcome. If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with any drug crime in Broward County, including the cities of Coral Springs, Hollywood, Pompano and Fort Lauderdale, criminal defense attorneys can work to protect your rights and may be able to negotiate for reduced charges or a lesser sentence.

Federal Drug Charges

Drug Trafficking Defense in Fort Lauderdale Federal drug arrests by the DEA in Florida accounted for nine percent (2,857) of all drug arrests in the United States during 2003-2004. This number is second only to California, where 2,947 arrests were made during the same period. Arrests and prosecutions for drug charges are serious business in Florida. The statistics for 2008-2009 make this clear:

Drug Trafficking

  • There were 5,844 inmates incarcerated in Florida’s prisons for drug trafficking
  • A total of 10,217 were incarcerated for drug purchase/sale/manufacturing
  • Other drug charges accounted for 3,962 incarcerations.

A knowledgeable criminal attorney can help protect your rights and may improve the results for your own case. In Broward County, skilled drug charge attorneys will review the facts of your case and work diligently to prepare the best defense possible. Timing is important, so obtaining experienced lawyers as quickly as possible will go a long way toward a positive outcome.

The attorneys of Attorney Office, represent drug crime arrest clients in Broward County, including Pompano, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and other cities.

Sex Crime Charges

By in Crime Law Tag

Sex Crime Charges

Sex crime laws in Florida are extremely broad, and carry a wide array of penalties upon conviction. Florida has some of the harshest penalties for sex offenders and predators in the country. Ignorance of the law or of the accuser’s age is not a legal defense. The experienced attorneys at Attorneys, can help those accused of sex crimes by gathering evidence and evaluating testimony with a critical eye in order to build a strong defense.

Sex Crime Charges

A number of charges fall within the definition of sex crimes in Florida, including, but not limited to: rape, child molestation, sexual battery, possession of child pornography, lewd conduct and failure to register as a sex offender.

  • A forcible rape was committed every 88 minutes.
  • A forcible sex offense of any type occurred every 49 minutes

Guilty Until Proven Innocent?

In many cases, accusations of sex crimes are not true or based on any real event. Spurned partners or spouses often make the claim in an attempt to exact revenge. However, the mere allegation of a sex crime has the potential to do as much damage to one’s life in terms of reputation, employment and family relations as an actual conviction. The repercussions of a conviction can last a lifetime. Many sex crime convictions result in forced registration as a sexual offender or sexual predator. Failure to register as ordered can result in significant prison time.

Sex Crime Charges

If you have been charged with a sex crime, or are being questioned in connection with a sex crime, having experienced, knowledgeable legal counsel is critical. The lawyers at Attorneys, have the expertise and resources to defend you in these serious cases.

The terms ‘sex offender’ and ‘sex predator’ sometimes are used interchangeably by the general public. But, according to the Florida courts, they are very different. A sex offender is not necessarily a sex predator. Being labeled as a sex predator is the more severe of the two. There are many qualifiers for either status, but generally, a sex predator is a person previously convicted of a sex crime, and is therefore deemed by the court to warrant such designation.