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Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A.

How Does Bail Work?

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. May 6, 2021

If you have been arrested, an experienced criminal defense attorney can save you thousands of dollars on bail.  In State court, bail or a bail bond is a cash amount paid by the defendant or other third party to guarantee their appearance at criminal court proceedings. The bail money is paid to the court in exchange for the release of the defendant from custody.  The purpose of bail is to provide a financial incentive for the defendant to appear in court.  In some cases involving non-violent crimes and an accused with no prior record, the judge will Release on their…

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Was Your Stop and Subsequent Arrest Legal?

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. March 18, 2021

One of the most compelling arguments made by attorneys representing clients arrested for a crime is, did the police have a legal reason to stop, search or detain the defendant? If law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime, they then have a legal reason to stop or detain them. Many times, a stop or physical detention leads to law enforcement uncovering illegal items or observing illegal behavior exhibited by the detainee. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects citizens from unreasonable stops, searches, and…

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Serious Crimes and Misdemeanors

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. February 18, 2021

If you have been arrested or are under investigation for committing a serious crime; drug offense, sex crime, felony battery, aggravated assault, murder, or white-collar crime, you will need aggressive legal representation to assist you in mounting a strong and durable defense. The attorney you choose will make the difference between the State proving your guilt and charges being reduced to a lesser offense or being found not guilty. Before making your decision regarding which criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville Fl you choose, there are many factors you should consider. For instance, former State or Federal prosecutors now in private…

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Choosing The Right Criminal Defense Attorney

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. January 21, 2021

Criminal defense law is a highly specialized field of law, practiced by many, mastered by few. It takes a great deal of experience to handle all aspects of a criminal defense case, defending the rights of the accused, understanding the facts and elements of the case that will be presented by the prosecution, and presenting mitigation. Not only can you be falsely accused but also falsely convicted if the attorney you choose is either ill-prepared or inexperienced. In the United States, many unfortunate individuals are wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.…

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Crime Rates in St Augustine

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. December 1, 2020

Are You Safer Today Than You Were 3 Years Ago? As reported by most of the local news sources, arrests made by St. Johns County Sheriff’s Officers over the past year have consistently remained high, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports have surfaced about domestic violence issues being chief among those crimes on the increase, but results for 2020 have not yet been released. In 2019, police arrested 624 individuals for domestic violence. Speculation exists that those numbers will increase due to the pandemic. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the number of St. Johns County arrests…

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Will Our Police Department Budgets Decrease in 2021?

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. November 12, 2020

Due to recent events this year involving law enforcement all across this country, there has been a heightened awareness centered around police department spending and how much is actually considered too much. According to recently published news articles, arguments for completely defunding police departments is waning but reallocations of monies to better serve the community is being considered. According to a recent study conducted by the Brookings Institute, an American research group founded in 1916, shifting funding from police departments to support other social services roles is getting attention from elected officials. This could improve the effectiveness in treating cases…

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Choosing The Right Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorney for Your Case

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. October 9, 2020

If you have been arrested for a crime in North Florida, having the most experienced and capable attorney in your corner gives you the best chance for a favorable and fair outcome. In choosing the right criminal defense attorney to represent you, there are many things you should consider, chief among them is experience. According to Curtis Fallgatter, of Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. there are many attorneys practicing criminal defense law to choose from, however not all attorneys are the same. Curtis makes the case that he would be proud to serve your legal interests, but you should know…

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Should You Take a Breathalyzer Test When Arrested for DUI?

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. September 9, 2020

One of the most common questions attorneys are asked from defendants accused of Driving Under the Influence of either alcohol or drugs is should I consent to taking a breathalyzer test. According to Curtis Fallgatter, lead criminal defense attorney for Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. if you have been arrested, in custody, transported to jail, booked and being processed, police will then ask you to consent to a breathalyzer test to confirm your blood alcohol level. The legal limit in Florida is a .08 blood alcohol level. Two beers consumed in an hour by the average man will put you…

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What Should I do if I am Stopped for a DUI?

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. August 4, 2020

According to Jacksonville criminal defense attorneys Curtis Fallgatter and Lisa Varon, if you are pulled over by police and suspected of DUI, you should be careful and be prepared. The first thing a police officer will ask for is your driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance card.  Make sure you have placed them in a convenient location, so you are not fumbling around trying to locate them. Police are looking for any signs of impairment, and from the moment they stop you, they are evaluating whether you are impaired by alcohol or drugs. Do not have an open container in…

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What to Do if You are Arrested for DUI?

By Fallgatter Catlin & Varon, P.A. July 11, 2020

If you have been arrested for DUI, like most people, you are not quite sure what to do next. According to Jacksonville criminal defense attorneys Curtis Fallgatter and Lisa Varon, it is very important to fight a DUI case, but the question remains:  How do you win? The lawyer you choose needs to have the legal experience and expertise to know the right kind of strategy to handle a DUI case. Very much like a medical emergency room that triages cases, your attorney needs to “triage” your case, in order to provide you with the best outcome.  First, your attorney…

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