Q: Do I need a lawyer?
A: When a person is charged with a crime, the State is seeking to
take away that person's liberty.
If you are convicted you could be sent to prison. You could
permanently lose certain rights. A criminal
conviction will remain on your record for the rest of
your life and may mean you are disqualified from
certain types of employment or benefits in the future. Prior convictions may be used to increase the
sentence for subsequent convictions.
Certain misdemeanors may become felonies for repeat offenses.
Q: Do I need a lawyer even if I am innocent?
A: Every person accused of a crime needs
an attorney. Innocent people have gone to prison, and
the best way to prevent such a
miscarriage of justice is to hire an experienced criminal defense
attorney. Your attorney will
work throughout the criminal justice process to ensure that your rights
are protected.
Q: If I intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?
A: Even if you know you are
guilty, there are still options. For example, you may be eligible for a
pre-trial intervention
program or make a deal with the prosecutor to plead guilty to a lesser charge
(a plea
bargain) in exchange for a reduced sentence. While an accused could try to negotiate, it
can
be very difficult to do so without extensive knowledge of Florida law and experience in the
legal
processes.Criminal defense attorneys know what constitutes a good result, and they
also know
how to protect your constitutional rights.
‡ ‡ ‡ ‡
Jury Trial
Most cases do not go to trial. However, a jury trial may be the only way to achieve
the resolution
you want.
Plea Bargains
Some charges may be dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense after negotiating with
the prosecuting
attorneys.
Plea In Absentia
Sometimes a written plea can be submitted which can resolve your case without you
having to
appear in court.
Intervention/Diversion Programs
Prosecution of your case may be suspended until the prescribed program has been
completed,
resulting in the charges being dismissed.
Withholding Adjudication
A formal conviction can sometimes be avoided from appearing on your record during
negotiations
with prosecuting attorneys.
