Fernandina Beach Criminal Defense Lawyers

Nassau County, with its unique blend of both rural and urban communities, including Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island and Yulee, are Florida’s first cities along the eastern seaboard. For many years, this quaint area has been attracting both tourists and vacationers, many of whom have relocated, adding to a population count in 2018 of just over 85,000 residents. Like many Florida towns that border the Atlantic, this economic expansion over the past few years is not without its consequences of increased crime and arrests. Nassau County ranks as the ninth fastest-growing county in Florida contributing to its increased crime rate. According to the State of Florida records, Nassau County ranks high among arrests per capita with 4156 adult arrests and 189 juvenile arrests per 100,000 people in 2018. Leading the list of arrests for suspected crimes committed were: Drug Arrests: 721, DUI Arrests: 593 and Assault Arrests: 451. These numbers are significant when you compare them to urban areas like Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville with 2600, 3500 and 3100 arrests per 100,000 people, respectively.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's 2018 Uniform Crime Report found Nassau County's overall crime increased 8.4% in 2017 with the most common arrests being for theft. If you have been arrested or are under investigation by the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, you should be aware you are dealing with a very aggressive and determined State Attorney’s Office that will want to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. In recent years, Nassau County officials have demonstrated that they have a very low tolerance for any breach of the law and that is why it is so important to have the best legal staff and attorneys representing you. Through every stage of the case, from arrest through arraignment, motion hearings, and trial, Curtis Fallgatter and Lisa Varon have a proven record of criminal defense success. Their representation begins with a thorough investigation of the facts involved in your case and a criminal defense strategy to determine the best course of action to be taken on your behalf to mitigate and defend your case.

Crimes We Defend at Fallgatter, Catlin & Varon, P.A.

Representing clients accused of any crime, misdemeanor or felony, is very serious business and one that should not be left to inexperienced attorneys. The attorneys at Fallgatter, Catlin & Varon, P.A. have tremendous experience in both State and Federal Court handling thousands of criminal cases. We regularly defend people charged with the following crimes:

DUI: If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are facing serious consequences. Penalties for even a first offense can be stiff and life-altering. Just because you have had a beer or an alcoholic beverage and gotten behind the wheel of a vehicle, does not mean you were driving impaired. If you have been arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, there are specific legal procedures the police must follow. Call our office as soon as possible for a free consultation and we will investigate the circumstances under which you were arrested, explain your options, and prepare to defend against the criminal and civil penalties of a DUI arrest.

White Collar Crimes: At Fallgatter, Catlin & Varon, P.A., we have the knowledge and experience to handle white-collar crimes, including embezzlement, bribery, counterfeiting, forgery, RICO, workers’ compensation fraud, insurance fraud, mail fraud, securities fraud, public corruption, tax evasion, and internet fraud. White-collar crimes are complex and require legal expertise to defend. Federal and State prosecutors are usually aggressive when they feel they have enough evidence to prosecute white-collar crimes. The stakes are high because these offenses usually carry strict penalties and fines if proven.

Drug Possession and Distribution: State and Federal courts consider any drug offense, including possession, sale, and trafficking, to be very serious offenses. Possessing even small quantities of marijuana can constitute a misdemeanor, and a conviction means the loss of your driver’s license. Possession of many other controlled substances is classified as felonies and carry stiff penalties, including minimum mandatory prison sentences. If you are under investigation or have been arrested for a drug-related offense, you need the assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. Fallgatter, Catlin & Varon, P.A. has handled numerous drug crimes from simple possession to distribution and trafficking.

Sex Offenses: At Fallgatter, Catlin & Varon, P.A., we have extensive experience handling all types of sex offenses including sexual battery, rape, child pornography, internet sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender and sex crimes against children. If you are being investigated for a sex offense, you are in serious danger of losing your freedom and of being required to register as a sex offender or sexual predator for the rest of your life. Even consensual sexual activity with minors is prosecuted vigorously. Because of the nature of sexual offense allegations, you need to seek legal advice immediately. At Fallgatter, Catlin & Varon, P.A., we will work to get the charges either dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge. When your livelihood, family, reputation, and freedom is on the line, you need legal assistance with a proven track record for handling these types of sensitive matters.

Domestic Violence: Domestic violence by a partner, spouse, ex-spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend can include charges filed for aggregated assault, battery, aggregated battery, stalking and even kidnapping. When the police are called for a domestic dispute and there is evidence a crime has been committed, someone is likely to be arrested. At Fallgatter, Catlin & Varon, P.A. we have handled many domestic disputes that have escalated into charges filed and arrests made. We will listen to your side of the story, review police records and try to find some common ground where charges may be dropped or lessened.

Assault and Battery: In Florida, assault is defined as the threat to harm someone, and battery is the actual physical contact. Aggravated assault or aggravated battery means a weapon of some kind was used or a serious injury occurred. As criminal defense attorneys, we have handled many assault, battery, and aggravated assault and battery cases.

Why Choose Fallgatter, Catlin & Varon, P.A.?

Recognized as one of the most prominent, top criminal defense attorneys in the United States, Curtis Fallgatter is a local criminal defense lawyer who can be retained by anyone accused of committing a crime. As a former Federal Prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Curtis was responsible for prosecuting and bring to trial countless individuals accused of breaking federal laws in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. For his prosecutorial success and criminal case expertise, he was promoted to Chief Assistant, where he supervised 20 federal prosecutors, handling some of the most complex, high-profile criminal cases in Florida. For the past 20 years, Curtis has had the reverse role of representing individuals accused of committing a crime in Clay, Duval, St. John’s and Nassau Counties. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of his clients, who have been accused of crimes including DUI’s, Sex Offenses, Drug Crimes, Domestic Violence, Assault and Battery, and White-Collar crimes in local, state and federal courts.

Curtis has also been relied upon by local TV news stations, and even the Dr. Phil Show, for his expert criminal defense commentary on high-profile cases. His appearances on WJXT Channel 4's Dr. Phil Show demonstrate Curtis’s expert advice and his legal experience of reviewing hundreds of arrest warrants to determine the validity and accuracy of the warrant and the information contained in the affidavit by law enforcement. Many times, investigators are remiss in their due diligence to properly investigate a crime, and the subsequent arrest is unfounded and unwarranted – something that would be considered a miscarriage of justice, as demonstrated on one of the shows. The Law Firm of Fallgatter Catlin & Varon P.A., is very proud of our lead criminal defense attorney and managing partner, for his expertise and knowledge in the practice of criminal defense law.

Lisa Varon is a former Assistant Public Defender in the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Lisa’s criminal defense experience has ranged from defending individuals accused of misdemeanors to murder. Lisa worked as an Assistant Public Defender for 11 years, where she represented juveniles and adults charged with misdemeanors and felonies. She also worked in the Special Defense Unit, where she handled all exclusively sex crimes. She served as a Felony Division Chief, where she supervised attorneys in felony court. Lisa has worked with Curtis for the past 14 years, handling all manner of criminal cases. She also served as President of the Northeast Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the premier criminal defense association in Northeast Florida.

If you have been arrested for a crime, your civil liberties need to be protected to their fullest extent and that starts with hiring the right attorney. Nothing could be more frightening than appearing in court with an attorney who does not have the legal experience to provide you the best possible defense. When the full weight of the court comes crashing down, it will be too late to change defense strategies and hire the best criminal defense asset available to you and your family. Give Fallgatter, Catlin & Varon, P.A., a call today at 904-353-5800 for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the facts in your case.