Being Charged with a Crime in Fort Pierce Florida
If you receive an arrest warrant or get charged with a criminal offense in Fort Pierce, acting immediately can protect your life and your future. Hiring a powerful Fort Pierce criminal defense attorney will give you the legal leverage you need to get the best possible outcome. Meltzer & Bell, P.A. takes on cases of all sizes and difficulties. We put your life first – which means we do everything it takes to make sure you come out on top.
If you need a Fort Pierce DUI Lawyer, there are a host of time-sensitive legal considerations. For more details on what’s at stake, please see our DUI page.
Being accused of a criminal offense can be humiliating and unpleasant whether or not you committed the crime. And the legal system in Fort Pierce and, by extension, Florida is a complex one. From being subjected to intense questioning by law enforcement officers to agonizing prosecution to brutal conviction. It’s an experience you’d want to avoid at all costs.
Thankfully, the law provides many legal avenues and options to safeguard your rights, most of which you may not know. If you’ve ever been charged with a criminal offense, you have the right to obtain legal representation. Hiring an experienced & aggressive Fort Pierce criminal defense attorney is one of those options and the first step to take upon arrest. This will safeguard your rights and property no matter what the facts of the case are.
Hire the Best Fort Pierce Criminal Defense Team
It is within your rights and best interest to contact a criminal defense attorney if you or someone you know is faced with a criminal charge in Fort Pierce. An experienced, competent Fort Pierce criminal lawyer will file motion motions, employ legal defenses, suppress damaging evidence, and explore any available pretrial programs.
The criminal defense attorneys at Meltzer & Bell specialize in the Fort Pierce area and other locations in Florida. We strive to apply the most innovative defenses to each case to ensure our clients win. We first begin by analyzing your case, the adverse effects and consequences of a criminal charge, the possible defenses to employ, and other critical areas of concern before we fully take up the case. That means you are free to give us a call for an initial case review when faced with a criminal charge, so we can plan your defense accordingly.
At Meltzer & Bell, our legal services are available in most parts of Florida, including Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Jupiter Island, and St Lucie and Martin Counties. Remember the decisions you make today will determine the outcome of your case and, ultimately, your future. Feel free to call us any time of the day at (772) 248-1215, and you’ll receive a free consultation.
A Look At The Criminal Defense System in Florida
When faced with a criminal charge or when presented with an arrest, always remember your rights. Here are some of the most common criminal offenses you’re likely to be charged with within Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit. These criminal offenses are not to be violated according to the law. Violation of any of these statuses is an offense and can result in a criminal charge. The charges can either be considered a minor offense or a serious felony. These offenses include:
- Violent crimes
- Driving under the influence of controlled substances (DUI)
- Marijuana and controlled drug offenses
- Sexual offenses;
- Juvenile crimes;
- Economic or White collar crimes;
- Weapons and firearm offenses
- Prostitution
- Violation of Probation;
- Domestic violence
- Theft
Your Rights As An Accused
As a suspect or accused person is a criminal offense, the law still protects your rights until the court proves your innocence or guilt. One of these rights is the right to remain silent or speak in the presence of your attorney. It would help if you were not compelled to submit to questioning by the authorities until approved by your lawyer. This is because any statements, comments, or remarks you make without an attorney will be used against you in a court of law.
However, with the legal support from your attorney, you can successfully invoke the 5th and 6th amendments of the Constitution to allow the attorney to submit to questioning from the authorities. Furthermore, obtaining legal representations will hinder the police from confronting you at your home with questions. Your attorney will also speak with the prosecuting attorney to discuss a lower bond or bail.
Pre-Trial Motions in Fort Pierce, Florida
One of the most critical steps to a successful criminal defense in Fort Pierce is the pretrial motions. These motions help to create boundaries during the trial. For example, omitting specific evidence, deciding who should or should not testify and when to dismiss a case. Your criminal defense attorney should file for all of the above plus the following:
Summary Judgment states that the court should declare judgment because all the facts of the case remain true.
Motion to avail evidence: If the prosecution withheld crucial evidence that may be beneficial to the case, the defense could request such information to be released during a pretrial motion.
Motion to dismiss: Official request from the defense attorney to dismiss the case for lack of substantial evidence.
Motion to move locations: An official request by the defense to move the trial venue in case of bias from the jury.
Motion to exclude witness testimony: In case of conflict of interest, witness testimony can be excluded from the trial.
Exclusion of damning evidence: Where evidence was obtained illegally, or the defendant’s rights were violated in the process of getting the said evidence, the defense can request to exclude such evidence.
Powerful Fort Pierce Criminal Defense Lawyers
Regardless of which crime you have been charged with, the Florida State courts have a rigid justice system that you may not escape from. Whether or not you’re living in the state, you’ll be required to make courtroom appearances and follow the due processes. This can significantly hurt your finances due to travel and legal costs. Thankfully at Melzer Bell, we work to eliminate such setbacks and can handle your case without the need for you to travel to Florida. We can file pretrial motions to waive your physical courtroom appearances and reduce them to few or none at all and save you a lot of time and money. Here are other additional reasons why you should let us handle your case in Fort Pierce:
- Our goal is always to win, not present a plea bargain
- We boast of decades of successful legal services, and we have winning stories to show for it.
- Experience plus testimonials for handling the most complex cases in Florida
- We are available to our clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- We have over 500 5-STAR reviews across Florida
- We understand the ins and outs of the Florida judicial system and know all the major players in the corridors of justice, from prosecutors to top judges
- We have a team of experts, including educators and former district attorneys
- We employ a client-first approach, so your interests will always come first.
Have you been charged with a criminal offense in Fort Pierce? Don’t wait any longer. Contact Meltzer & Bell today through our official contact (772) 248-1215 or send us a request for a free consultation.