Criminal Defense

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

Marijuana and Driving Under the Influence… A Cause for Concern According to the most recent statements made by the former United States Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, the Trump Administration has major concerns about the effects of the legalization of marijuana and the possibility of an increase in crimes being committed. Sessions told reporters that, where marijuana has been legalized, a “real violence” exists around the marijuana industry, and in some cases, into states where legalization has not yet taken place. This ongoing debate is being fueled by proponents who advocate for stronger resistance by the federal government to legalization on…

There were many issues associated with the building of the new Duval County Courthouse — from the estimated original investment to the actual builder and architectural design used. One could argue that the $350 million-dollar price tag for the project’s completion in 2012 was a huge sum of money, but no one would argue that the size and scope of the facility is geared up for doing a lot of business on behalf of our taxpayers. The old courthouse was outdated and overcrowded, and the State of Florida needed to secure a new building and relocate all the offices of…

Criminal Defense Lawyers – Education and Experience Practicing attorneys, in the state of Florida, are schooled and trained in many aspects of the law, with most law schools requiring roughly 85 hours of legal courses.  The field of study is broad, covering everything from contracts and civil procedures to criminal and constitutional law. However, law school does not allow a law student to specialize in any particular field of the law. Once the attorney passes the State Bar Exam, gets admitted to the bar, and are sworn in by the court, they’ll choose a specific legal field to specialize in. …