Exceptional Legal Defense for Federal Crimes
Drug Trafficking
Due to the state’s prime location for drug trafficking, Florida’s drug laws are particularly severe. The state’s law sets forth maximum sentences for drug possession, along with minimum mandatory sentences. With this in mind, you’ll need the best legal team you can find now.
Why Choose Us?
Our team of professionals can conduct in-depth case reviews with you, which often include an explanation of the elements of the charge and an evaluation of the facts in order to determine if any defense can exist.
Working with us allows our experienced lawyers to dedicate an aggressive criminal defense in your favor.
What You Need to Know About Drug Crimes in Florida
Florida considers drugs as the direct cause of most criminal activity in the state. Because of this correlation, the penalties for drug crimes increase exponentially based on the number of drugs involved in the case and their intended use.
Drug-related offenses include, but aren’t limited to:
Internet Crimes
Law enforcement agencies in Florida dedicate significant amounts of manpower and resources to organize and carry out investigations that target adults who are communicating with minors through the internet. When these communications are sexual in nature, the results can be devastating for the person charged.
Solicitation of a Child Using the Internet can be found in Florida Statute 847.0135(3), (Certain Uses of Computer Services or Devices Prohibited) and includes:
Knowingly using an online computer service, Internet service, local bulletin board service, or any other device capable of electronic data storage or transmission to:
Penalty
Solicitation of a Child Using the Internet is a third-degree felony and carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, along with a hefty fine and a registration to the sex offender list.
This charge may be enhanced to a felony of the second degree if a person solicits a child using the internet and misinterprets his or her age. A second-degree felony, on the other hand, carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, along with a fine and sex offender registration.
Furthermore, each separate use of a computer service or device service to commit this crime may be charged as separate offenses.
Defenses for This Crime
Statute of Limitations
In the state of Florida, a prosecution for Solicitation of a Child Using the Internet must be commenced within 3 years after the commission of the crime.
Get the Right Defense With a Free Case Review
You may have been accused of Solicitation of a Child Using the Internet, but that doesn’t mean you are guilty. There are plenty of factual and legal issues that must be investigated and evaluated. Due to the complexities of this charge, it’s imperative that you speak with a lawyer who is experienced in this type of crime immediately.
If you or someone you know has been accused of this type of crime in Pinellas County or the Tampa Bay Area, reach out to us today. Our team of attorneys, investigators, and experts is highly experienced in defending sex crimes and will begin building your defense today.
White-Collar Crimes
Over the years, Florida has cracked down on theft and white-collar crimes. These crimes normally involve the specific intent to deprive someone or some agency of property or money, and intent may be proved by the circumstances surrounding the actions of the person charged or through the use of other individuals involved in the offense.
In this case, the government or the state agency must prove specific intent, which oftentimes is very difficult to do.
What You Need to Know About This Type of Crime
Theft and white-collar crimes may be prosecuted by either a state or federal agency, depending on the seriousness of the allegation, the amount of money or property involved, and whether the offense is alleged to extend beyond state borders. These types of crimes include:
Punishment
Historically, street crimes tend to get more public attention due to white-collar crimes often being negotiated short of a jail sentence. Both are equally serious, but payment of restitution to the victims of white-collar crimes often supersedes the need for punishment in the form of prison time.
Paying the victims back for their losses can sometimes lead the state or federal agency to drop or reduce the charges. However, you should keep in mind that it is never a good idea to attempt negotiations with the alleged victims or agencies without the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Payments, on their own, will not automatically ensure your freedom without a solid negotiation by an experienced attorney. Your actions may also not constitute a crime, and you may even have a legitimate legal defense.
What To Do if You Are Under Investigation for a White-Collar Crime
If you have been contacted by a state or federal agency, your first order of business should be to immediately contact an attorney. Damage control should also be a top priority, whether you believe you may have done something illegal or are completely innocent.
Navigating the process on your own can be severely damaging to your case, so feel free to reach out to our office for a free consultation in order to find out what your available options are.