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Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer - Explaining Different Types of Warrants
The legal system is an intricate system set up to protect the citizens of the United States, and everyone should inform themselves of their rights in case they ever find themselves in a situation where their civil or constitutional rights have been violated.
Among other things, you should understand the different types of warrants that can be issued by a judge. If you find yourself the recipient of such a warrant, you will need to seek legal representation.
We have some of the best criminal lawyers in the country, and a Miami criminal defense lawyer from our firm can give you the best advice on what you can do to defend your rights, as well as represent you in court. Set up a consultation with one of our attorneys if you are in need of effective legal representation.
What is a Warrant?
A warrant is defined as a legal and usually written document that authorizes a specific legal action to be performed or executed. In some cases, it pertains to the seizure of specific assets or the execution of a specific legal action, such as an arrest or required court appearance.
Drug Possession Defenses Explained by a Miami Criminal Defense Attorney
Drug laws are defined and enforced at both the state and federal levels. Most states follow general drug enforcement guidelines, while some have regulations that are more stringent than others.
Florida is well known for its opioid crisis, and it has implemented strict laws for individuals caught with scheduled medications not prescribed to them. Florida also has tighter controls over the registration of medical marijuana users, as well as specific regulations on the diseases that allow treatment with medical marijuana.
Charges related to drug offenses can include intent to distribute, trafficking, and possession. If charges are filed against you, contact our criminal defense attorney in Miami immediately to handle your legal defense. Our attorney will determine the best defense for your case if you choose to plead not guilty.
Some defenses challenge the testimony of law enforcement officers, the evidence, or the facts surrounding the arrest. Other defenses may look for procedural errors, such as a failure to read Miranda rights. A common justification for drug possession charges is an affirmative offense, for example, the use of medical marijuana.
Street Racing Crimes in Florida
Hollywood glamorizes street racing through popular culture in movies like The Fast and the Furious franchise. As a result, more street racers are speeding around town, presenting a traffic risk to other vehicles and their passengers.
The Florida legislature has strict laws against street racing that result in severe penalties for anyone found guilty of the crime. Being charged and convicted of a street racing crime can change your life for a long time to come.
If charged with a street racing offense, you may need a Miami criminal lawyer to help you understand the nature and severity of the charges brought against you. Here are the typical charges for street racing crimes.
Reckless Driving with Serious Bodily Injury
Driving in a "reckless manner" is defined as willful or wanton disregard for others' safety. According to Fla. Stat. §316.192(3)(c)3, reckless driving becomes a felony if in addition to above, the driver creates a substantial risk of death or injury to other motorists or road users. The charge is a third-degree felony, and those convicted can receive a sentence of up to 5 years in a Florida State Prison. If charged by the police with this crime, notify our criminal lawyer in Miami to help you through the arrest and booking procedure.
When to Accept a Plea Bargain
Being arrested can be an emotionally and physically stressful experience for anyone. The moment of your arrest will seem like a blur, and before you know it, you're being walked into the jail by a law enforcement officer.
Under this kind of stress, it's possible that you won't be thinking clearly, and you may be tempted to take the first plea offered by the state prosecutor at your first hearing. It is unwise to accept any plea bargain without first consulting with a Miami criminal attorney about your case and the charges against you.
Failing to retain legal counsel after your arrest could change the course of your life. Before you accept any plea arrangement, run through this checklist.
1. Have you Consulted Your Criminal Attorney?
Speaking to a qualified and competent criminal lawyer in Miami is the first step in ensuring a favorable outcome for your case. Attorneys are familiar with the legal process and can represent you on your behalf in any negotiations with prosecuting authorities.
Your Rights After an Arrest Explained
The shock of being placed under arrest by the police can be a confusing experience that you may have to deal with at some point in your life. Law enforcement officers made nearly 11 million arrests in 2017, with only a small percentage of those cases ever reaching a jury trial.
It's important that you hire a Miami criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after an arrest. The closer to the moment after being taken into custody that you can notify your attorney may determine the amount of time you spend in jail before posting bail. Here's what you need to know if you find yourself arrested by the police.
Behave Yourself
Treating police officers with dignity and respect is critical during encounters with law enforcement. Police officers frequently experience the very worst behavior society has to offer. Therefore, they expect to be met with resistance and hostility when they approach you.
If you greet them courteously and comply with their reasonable requests for information, you can expect to be treated with respect as well. If arrested, it's important to note that your behavior at the time of arrest could be brought up in your trial.
Underage Alcohol Laws in Miami
In most of the United States-including the state of Florida-the legal drinking age is 21. As such, it is illegal for anyone under the legal drinking age to purchase or consume beverages that contain alcohol. It's also against the law to serve alcohol to minors and for minors to attempt to purchase alcohol with fraudulent identification.
If anyone under the age of 21 is caught buying or consuming alcohol or if someone of legal drinking age is found purchasing alcohol for or serving alcohol to a minor, severe legal consequences can be faced. To protect yourself, your loved ones, or your business, it's important to understand the underage drinking laws in Miami. Below, you will find an overview of these drinking laws, and if you have any questions, we urge you to contact our criminal law firm in Miami.
Unlawfully Purchasing Alcohol
In Florida, it is against the law for anyone under 21 years of age to lie about their age to purchase alcohol. Examples of lying about age include verbally stating you are 21 or older, using someone else's identification, or using fake identification. Those found guilty of violating the law will be charged with a misdemeanor in the second degree and could have to pay a fine of $500 and serve a jail sentence of up to 60 days.
Get a Second Opinion on Your Criminal Case
If you are diagnosed with a serious medical condition, it makes sense that you would want to have a second opinion from another doctor to ensure the diagnosis was accurate. After all, your health is one of your most important assets. The same is true if you are charged with a serious crime.
If you have been charged with a serious criminal offense at either the state or the federal level, you risk losing everything: your livelihood, your family, your home, your reputation, and your freedom. Considering the grave consequences that can be associated with a criminal charge, you should consider getting a second opinion from a Miami criminal attorney. Doing so can help protect you and the people you love from devastation.
When to Get a Second Opinion from a Miami Criminal Defense Attorney
Countless people who have already received representation from a private or public defense attorney contact our Miami criminal defense lawyer for a second opinion. They reach out to our firm when they find that the attorney representing them has not done enough to defend their case or when they find they are at risk of being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They rely on our attorney to find alternative options, ones that the lawyers currently defending them may not have investigated.
Divorces Often Lead to False Domestic Violence Accusations
Many divorces proceed without a hitch, and the two parties can go their separate ways without serious issues, hopefully even remaining friends. But with the majority of divorces, this is not the case-most divorces turn ugly. And frequently, there are cases where the divorce takes a bad turn and false accusations of domestic violence add fuel to the fire. In these situations, you want an experienced criminal lawyer in Miami who can provide you with the best representation for your case.
Divorce Statistics
Divorces have become an increasingly common part of life, and it's known that an incredible 41% of first marriages end in divorce-and the number is even higher when you look at second marriages: approximately 60% of second marriages end in divorce. Yes, the number goes even higher up when you look at third marriages-you can see how many of these divorces will statistically turn ugly in court.
An Ugly Divorce
A divorce can suddenly turn from bad to worse when false accusations of domestic violence are added to the case. This can affect custody battles that are currently still ongoing and affect the outcome in favor of the other parent, and some know this is a highly powerful bargaining tool when it comes to destroying someone's reputation in front of a court. This can also affect someone on a professional level and ensure that they are fired from their current job-or that they can't find work from then on at all. Once a divorce starts to turn ugly, you need a Miami criminal defense lawyer to take charge of the case on your behalf.
We Represent Those Fighting With Drug Addiction
Addictions don't define who we are. And every day, people decide to enter a completely new phase of their life and leave their addictions behind. For some people making this big change, prior legal issues remaining from their old life need to be resolved. These legal issues can have a major impact on their lives in the long-term, including leaving a permanent mark on their criminal records. If you need help with legal issues related to your drug addiction, we represent those fighting with drug addictions. Contact our office for a consultation with our criminal law attorney in Miami and see how we can best help you.
Addiction Statistics
From what we know about drug addiction statistics according to the CDC, at least 10% of people aged twelve and over have had an experience with drugs in the past month – and at least 23.5 million Americans were estimated to be struggling with a combination of drug and alcohol addiction in 2010 as surveyed by DrugFree.org. Drug addiction is a prevalent issue, and a lot of people move on with their lives after addiction – but the legal issues they have encountered often stick. You want to find a drug crime attorney in Miami who can prepare a credible defense on your behalf and ensure that you really are moving forward with every aspect of your life.
Marijuana Possession in Federal Court
Marijuana is legal at the state level in many places in the US, for medicinal and recreational use. But there are still cases of people being charged with marijuana possession, sale, cultivation, and trafficking, on the federal level. Often this charge carries additional enhancements, such as trafficking across state lines or cultivation. In less serious cases, people can be charged with possession for minimal amounts, since marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug. If you have to face charges for marijuana possession in federal court, you want a Miami drug crime lawyer to represent you on your case.
Potential Penalties
If you've been charged with a marijuana crime in federal court, losing your case could carry severe penalties, which include a hefty fine, time in jail – and a permanent criminal record. There are other factors which can impact your sentence for the worse, including:
- The amount of marijuana in question, and whether it was sold or transported over state borders.
Contact Us
Connect with Us and Take the First Step Toward Justice
To get the legal help you need in your criminal case, reach out to our firm today. We will provide you with a free consultation where our attorney will review your case and advise you of your legal options.
66 W Flagler St., Suite 1005
Miami, FL 33130
P 305-615-1285
Please fill out the form below or call 305-615-1285 to contact us.
From our Miami office, Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney serves clients across the city, including Allapattah, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Way, the Design District, Downtown Miami, Edgewater, Liberty City, Little Haiti, Little Havana, Overtown, the Upper East Side (MiMo District), and Wynwood. Our reach also extends throughout Miami-Dade County, representing clients in Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, El Portal, Florida City, Hialeah, Homestead, Key Biscayne, Miami Gardens, Miami Springs, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka, Pinecrest, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Sweetwater, and West Miami.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
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66 W Flagler St., Suite 1005, Miami, FL 33130
305-615-1285
