Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorneys are Busy

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The old courthouse was outdated and overcrowded, and the State of Florida needed to secure a new building and relocate all the offices of the Clerk of the Courts, the State Attorney and the Public Defender. The finished version also included a courthouse lawn to be used for civic functions.  With Duval County experiencing crime rates 35% higher than Florida’s overall average and 48% higher that the national average, it looks like Duval County will get its money’s worth out of the courthouse and expanded facilities. 

As our fair city continues to grow in population, one question stands out:  Will the crime rate also continue to grow?  Duval County crime rates for violent and non-violent crimes reveal the average citizen has a 1 in 24 chance of being a victim of a crime. There were 28,081 arrests in Duval County in 2017.  Additionally, according to statistics, approximately 1865 drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), which made up the majority of non-violent arrests.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 drivers will be prosecuted for DUI in their lifetime. This is a staggering statistic, when you consider there are over 220 million licensed drivers on our roads today. The State of California leads the nation with more than 26 million drivers, and Florida is third, with just over 15 million drivers, according to the Federal Highway Administration statistics. To put those numbers in perspective, there are only 22.6 million people residing in the State of Florida and 70% of them have a valid driver’s license. Without a statewide mass transit model, the most common means of transportation in Florida is provided by a private car, truck, RV or van.

Why Should you Hire Fallgatter Catlin & Varon as your Criminal Defense Attorney?

If you have been arrested and charged with a criminal offense, having an experienced, knowledgeable attorney on your side will serve your best interests. Curtis Fallgatter is a former Federal Prosecutor who has been practicing criminal law for over 40 years with the last 25 years focused on representing only those accused of committing a crime. Lisa Varon has been practicing criminal defense law for more than 25 years.  From misdemeanors to complex felony cases, Curtis and Lisa are experienced in all types of criminal law.

It is very important to hire the best, most experienced attorneys, when dealing with the criminal justice system.  Any criminal act can carry with it life-long consequences that will have repercussions long after the fines have been collected and the legal debt to society paid. Having a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney on your team can only strengthen your ability to get the charges reduced or dropped.

If you have been arrested for a felony or misdemeanor, including DUI, assault, battery, drug crimes, sex crimes, domestic violence, murder, robbery, or a white collar crime, give Curtis and Lisa a call at 904-353-5800. Our consultations are free, and we will explain your legal rights and the next steps that need to be taken on your behalf. Duval County would not have spent 350 million dollars on a new courthouse, and new quarters for the State Attorney and Public Defender, if they were not serious about arresting and convicting those persons charged with committing crimes. You might only get one chance at a fair hearing or trial. Make sure you have an attorney with the experience, knowledge and resources to mount a proper defense.