“I’ve been arrested! What should I do?”
When a person is arrested, it can be both frightening and confusing. As you may have experienced, persons accused of a criminal offense are often released from custody with little or no information concerning their charges.
That’s why it’s important to know the strengths and weaknesses of your case:
- Were you illegally stopped or detained?
- Were you read your rights?
- Can your statements be suppressed because they were illegally obtained?
- Can the evidence in your case be suppressed because of an illegal search or seizure?
- Are you eligible for a program where your charges may be dismissed?
It’s also important that you know a criminal charge, as well as a criminal conviction, could drastically affect your life.
For example, a DUI charge can affect your driving privileges, increase your automobile insurance, and negatively impact other areas of your life even if you are not convicted. Often officers do not inform you that you only have 10 days from the date of your arrest to challenge any license suspension or revocation. Moreover, a DUI conviction could subject you to probation, vehicle impoundment, random alcohol screening, loss of driving privileges, fines, and a jail sentence.
Many times, there are defenses available that, if successful, can prevent most, if not all, of the costly penalties associated with your charge.
There are several ways to resolve criminal charges:
- There are motions to dismiss charges
- There are motions to suppress evidence
- Your charge could be reduced to a lesser charge
- Jury Trial
You deserve an experienced attorney who will aggressively defend your case and fight for your rights!
Johnny Devine has extensive experience defending criminal cases in the State of Florida, including:
- Felonies
- Drug Cases
- Misdemeanors
- DUIs
- Traffic Offenses
- Juvenile Offenses
“I understand that speaking with an attorney about your case can be an uncomfortable experience, so I offer free and confidential consultations in a relaxed atmosphere as well as affordable representation.”
“If you would like to meet and discuss your case, please give me a call at (850) 656-2500. Or you can fill out an online Criminal Intake Form and my office will get back in touch with you.”