Ormond Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer

What’s Happening: You’ve been taken to the Branch Jail, probably saw a judge and likely posted bond. If your license was valid when you were arrested, you’re driving for business purposes only for 10 days following your arrest. But now the clock is ticking. Action must be taken within 10 days of your arrest to allow you to keep driving.

Our Plan: First, I will work with the Florida DHSMV to challenge the suspension of your license or help you get a hardship license, if you are eligible. To do this, we must act within 10 days of your arrest. If you miss this 10-day window you won’t drive again for at least 30 to 90 days. Don’t waste a single day, call me now! Once we’ve secured your ability to drive, we will review the evidence and attack the criminal case against you.

What’s Happening: Local law enforcement responded to a report of a domestic incident involving you and a family member and you were arrested. You saw a judge and likely were told you can have no contact with the alleged victim, and in many cases, you were prohibited from returning to your own home. You are now living in a hotel or staying with friends with no idea what to do next.

Our Plan: Moving quickly is key in these situations. To begin prosecution in Florida, the State must file a document called an “Information.” Call me immediately after your arrest and I will work to have the case against you dismissed before an Information is filed. I will also file a motion asking the court to lift the "No Contact" order, provided the alleged victim desires contact with you. If a charge has been filed, we will explore your defenses and work quickly to bring about a favorable resolution.

What’s Happening: You were arrested and accused of possessing narcotics. This could have happened in a variety of ways. You may have been arrested and drugs found on your person, you may have been stopped in a vehicle, or a search warrant may have been executed at your home or business. You are now likely facing felony charges and your freedom, your future, and your ability to drive are on the line.

Our Plan: I will first look at the circumstances of your arrest and challenge any unlawful searches by local police. I will then reach out to the prosecutor to discuss any legal issues with the search and attempt to negotiate dismissal or reduction of the charge(s). Even if there is no basis for dismissal, the right approach can shift the case from one where the State seeks punishment to one where rehabilitation becomes the focus.

What’s Happening: You’ve been arrested after an incident during which you’ve been accused of entering the home, business, or vehicle of another with the intent to commit a crime, and you are now facing a felony. You’ve likely seen a judge and have been ordered not to return to the location of the incident. Depending on the allegations, you may be facing anything from a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in Florida state prison, to a life felony.

Our Plan: I will investigate the circumstances of your arrest and explore all available defenses. I will meet with the prosecutor to present my findings. If no charges have been filed yet, I will work to prevent them from being filed. I will review the evidence, interview witnesses, and leave no stone unturned while crafting an aggressive and comprehensive defense to this serious felony.

What’s Happening: You’ve been accused of theft of property that didn’t belong to you. The charge(s) you are facing depend on the value of the property at issue and the circumstances under which the alleged theft took place. If it is alleged the theft was committed with the use or threat of force, you could be facing a robbery charge. Any type of robbery is a felony that will change your present and future if you are convicted.

Our Plan: I will immediately review the available evidence to assess the strength of the State’s case and determine what defensive options are available. If you’ve been charged with robbery, you may be stuck in custody with a high bond. In this scenario, I will meet with you at the Volusia County Jail for additional information to seek a lower bond and for your overall defense. My strategy can range from leveraging the State to drop the charge due to a lack of evidence or in exchange for restitution, to challenging the State’s case in front of a jury.

What’s Happening: You were previously placed on probation and you are alleged to have violated one or more of the conditions. Violations can be “technical,” like failing to complete a class, or failing a drug test. Violations resulting from an arrest for a new crime are known as a “new law” violation. All probation violations are serious because they typically result in a judge issuing a warrant and a person sitting in jail for weeks without bond.

Our Plan: If a warrant has not yet been issued or executed, I will immediately file a motion asking the court to schedule a hearing for an order to show cause in lieu of issuing a warrant. I will immediately contact your probation officer to obtain the details of the alleged violation, then speak with the prosecutor to either present your defenses or negotiate a favorable resolution. I will appear at your hearing to either challenge the alleged violation or have you placed back on probation, if appropriate.

What’s Happening: You were pulled over and charged with a criminal driving offense. These offenses can range from driving with a suspended license, to reckless driving, to Florida’s newly enacted “Super Speeder” law, to racing on the highway. In the majority of cases, you will not be able to drive until your situation is rectified.

Our Plan: I will first review your driving record and determine how to approach your situation. If you have been charged with racing, reckless driving, or as a super speeder, I will investigate the allegations and formulate any possible defenses. If your license is suspended, I will identify the suspensions and help you clear them, if they can be cleared, so you can reinstate your Florida driver’s license. The goal is always to get you driving legally again.

What’s Happening: A charge against you in Florida has been dismissed or you had adjudication withheld and you have completed any associated sentence. You may now be able to seal or expunge the charge from your record, preventing it from appearing on most background checks.

Our Plan: We will meet and determine whether your record is eligible to be sealed or expunged. If you are eligible, I will obtain the necessary documents and prepare and file the application. Once the application has been approved, I will prepare and file the pleadings needed to clean up your record. This process takes up to 6 months so let’s get started!