Maitland Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you have been charged with a crime, you are facing very high stakes. Your freedom and your ability to live the rest of your life are on the line.
The Maitland criminal defense attorneys at the Alers Law Firm understand what you are facing, providing you with strong legal representation to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact the Alers Law Firm to speak to an attorney about your case. We offer free consultations, where a lawyer will learn the facts of your case and explain what you may be facing.
Call 407-930-4888 for a consultation in English or Spanish so that we can help you get the justice you deserve.
Experienced & Highly Rated Criminal Defense Attorney
With years of experience and leadership in numerous misdemeanor trials, The Alers Law Firm has established a distinguished reputation, including the honor of being admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States. Our firm has handled a broad spectrum of cases—from drug crimes to domestic violence—always advocating fiercely for our clients.
Our dedication to the community and our clients has earned us strong reviews on Avvo and Google as well as recognition from respected legal organizations. At The Alers Law Firm, we pair expert legal strategy with genuine commitment, making us a trusted name in the legal profession.
Criminal Charges in Maitland, FL
There are two different types of charges that you could face:
- Misdemeanors: While these crimes have lesser possible punishment than felonies, they should never be mistaken for minor offenses. Prosecutors can still obtain jail sentences, and they sometimes do not need to prove that you acted with any intent (depending on the type of offense involved). You may still face a lifetime of consequences for a misdemeanor conviction.
- Felonies: These are more serious crimes that require the prosecutor to prove that you had intent to commit the offense. If you are convicted, you could be facing a longer jail sentence. Even the lowest degree of felony can mean up to five years of incarceration. In addition, you could lose your right to own a firearm and face other serious ramifications.
Special Considerations in a DUI Case
When you have been charged with a DUI in Florida, there is always the possibility that you can face jail time, even for the first offense. The penalties can rise based on other factors that can include:
- If you have been convicted for repeat offenses
- Your blood alcohol content at the time that you were stopped or your blood was tested
- Whether there was a minor in the car at the time you were stopped
- Whether there was a death or serious bodily injury in a DUI accident
In addition, you face a mandatory license suspension of at least one year. There may be other collateral consequences, including job loss.
There is nothing that says you have to plead guilty to a DUI charge, even though many cases lead to deals. You can always fight the charges if you have a viable legal defense. If you do choose to negotiate a plea bargain, your lawyer could work to obtain the most favorable possible outcome for you.
Steps in the Criminal Justice Process
You would first learn that you are facing criminal charges after you have been arrested or indicted. For example, police may stop you for DUI and make an arrest on the spot. If the charges are the result of an investigation, the prosecutor would file an indictment with the court. After that, you may go through the following steps as part of the legal process:
- Initial Appearance: You would be brought in front of a judge within 24 hours of arrest, where you would be informed of the charges, and the judge may set bail
- Arraignment: You would then make a court appearance, where you would enter a plea, which would always be not guilty
- Preliminary Hearing: A preliminary hearing is an important step in the criminal justice process. It is designed to determine whether there is enough evidence to require a trial. The main objective is to establish whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the alleged crime.
- Pre-Trial Detention Hearing: A pre-trial detention hearing is a crucial step in the criminal justice process in Maitland. It determines whether a defendant will be held in custody or released while awaiting trial. The judge evaluates the defendant’s risk of fleeing, committing new crimes, or posing a danger to the community if released.
- Discovery: The prosecutor is legally obligated to disclose and provide you with the evidence that they intend to use against you
- Pre-trial Motions: Both sides may file motions in the case, including your own motions to suppress the evidence.
- Negotiating a Plea Bargain: You may choose to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence or reduced charges against you. These negotiations can happen at various points in the criminal justice process.
- Trial: If you choose to fight the charges against you, the prosecutor would need to prove their case in court to a jury.
What You Can Do When Facing Criminal Charges
You do not have to be passive and let prosecutors and law enforcement do what they may. You can and should mount an aggressive legal defense, regardless of whether you intend to negotiate a plea bargain or take your case all the way to trial.
Your first step comes when you reach out to a Maitland criminal defense lawyer. Getting legal help sends a signal to the prosecutor and judge that you intend to defend yourself. Your lawyer can assess your case and help you understand your legal options.
You have the right to determine whether you negotiate a plea bargain or continue to fight the charges until the end of the legal process. If you choose the former, an attorney can work with the prosecutor to obtain the most favorable deal possible. If you opt to fight, an attorney will aggressively defend you, both in the pre-trial motions process and when your case goes to trial.
Why You NEED a Criminal Defense Attorney
There is little chance of the most favorable outcome in your case if you try to face the criminal justice system on your own. The prosecutor has the knowledge and resources to make their case against you, and you need an attorney of your own to defend your legal rights and work on your behalf.
Your attorney can work to do the following:
- Explain your case and make you aware of your legal rights
- Investigate your case and determine whether you have defenses to the charges against you
- Speak to law enforcement on your behalf
- Aggressively work to limit the evidence being used against you, challenging it whenever possible
- Negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf
- Fight for you in the courtroom in front of the jury
Contact Our Criminal Defense Law Firm Today
The Maitland criminal defense attorneys at the Alers Law Firm are one phone call away at any time of day or night. We can answer your questions quickly, and provide legal guidance on what to do next. Don’t hesitate to contact us now.
