Gainesville and Ocala Criminal Defense Attorneys
Fighting for the Rights of the Accused in Florida
If you have been suspected or accused of a crime, you may be tempted to tell police your side of what happened. However, you will never help your case by doing so. Anything you say to the police can and will be used against you in court. Before you talk to police or anyone, talk to our lawyers. It is essential to have an attorney representing your interests immediately so that your constitutional rights are protected. We can explain your side, and anything we say can't be used against you at trial.
Our lawyers at Schackow Mercadante & Edwards represent individuals throughout Florida in all types of federal and state criminal defense cases, with emphasis on serious and complex criminal defense litigation. For more information about a type of case, click on the heading below:
Even if you were drinking or doing drugs, that doesn't necessarily mean the state can convict you of DUI. Our Florida DUI / DWI lawyers can assist you in understanding your rights and the potential penalties you are facing if convicted.
If you have received a traffic ticket, it is important to read both sides of the ticket. It will indicate whether you are accused of committing a civil infraction or a criminal charge.
Even for a misdemeanor offense such as marijuana possession, you can lose your driver's license for two years if you are convicted.
Robbery and burglary are considered violent crimes, even in cases where an empty home is entered. As a result, judges and prosecutors tend to be harsh on the accused.
Sex crimes carry life-changing consequences such as sex offender registration. Yet in many cases, police do not have enough evidence to even charge a suspect with a crime until the suspect talks to police.
Assault and battery related offenses can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the extent of physical harm and whether a weapon was used. A weapon can mean any object from a stick to a beer bottle to a gun.
Probation violations can range from a technical violation such as not being able to pay court costs on time or failing a drug test, to a material violation such as committing a new crime. But for any violation, you face serious consequences that could include arrest, revocation of your probation, and additional incarceration.
Federal criminal charges almost always have more serious consequences than Florida state charges. And it may be more difficult to obtain probation in federal court.
Free attorney consultation: Contact the criminal defense lawyers at Schackow Mercadante & Edwards in Gainesville and Ocala, Florida, to talk to a lawyer about your criminal defense case.
