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Traffic Citations:
Traffic citations in Florida are technically civil matters yet they are matters which involve law enforcement and the court system; therefore citations are regularly handled by criminal defense attorneys. There are no prosecutors involved in Florida traffic court. The officer who issued the citation will serve as the prosecutor under Florida's system. The Florida Rules of Traffic Court control civil traffic citation cases. Substantive traffic laws can be found in Title XXIII, Florida Statutes. (Links to both of these resources are on my website.)
Retaining an attorney who is familiar with the court, the procedures and the substantive traffic law will put you at ease, knowing that you have done everything possible to obtain a positive outcome. Retaining an attorney will nullify the requirement that you personally appear in order to answer a citation (a statutory requirement in some traffic cases) and will save your valuable time.
General Information:
I have been practicing law in Tallahassee as a criminal defense attorney since 2004. My experience includes criminal trial practice, criminal appeals, postconviction representation and prisoners' rights litigation. I work hard to vigorously defend the rights of individuals in my own community and throughout Florida. Those accused of wrongdoing turn to me for top notch advice, personal attention and tenacious commitment to protecting their interests. I am committed to providing my clients with the absolute best representation each and every day. I pride myself on taking the time to listen to my clients so I can thoroughly understand the underlying issues that have resulted in the present criminal accusation.
I graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor's degree in 2001. In 2004, I graduated with honors from Florida State University College of Law. Having earned my law degree, I was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2004 and became part of a small law firm that handled only criminal defense matters. I practiced law in that firm as a criminal defense attorney from 2004 until 2009. In 2009, I opened my own law practice dedicated exclusively to defense in criminal matters. I was elected by my peers to a leadership position in the local chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Recently, I was asked to speak about criminal defense practice at a statewide seminar for defense attorneys.
I presently represent individuals accused of:
Investigation:
If you are being investigated or have been accused of a crime -- whether or not you have been formally charged -- it is very important that you move rapidly to protect your rights, your assets and your future. Obtaining the help of a knowledgeable and aggressive defense attorney at the earliest possible moment following an accusation will sharply move the odds of success in your favor.
After an Arrest:
More often than not, citizens who have been arrested are released from custody with only a piece of paper ordering them to appear in court. It is not unusual for someone who stands charged of committing a criminal offense to possess no useful information regarding his or her charges. Criminal prosecution can affect many aspects of an individual's daily life including the privileges of keeping your job, holding your drivers license and collecting entitlement benefits - regardless of the fact that the State has not secured a conviction.
Thankfully our system of justice gives you this period of time to consult with qualified attorneys concerning your options. There are often defenses to criminal prosecution available that, if successful, may prevent the imposition of most, if not all, of the costly penalties associated with a criminal charge. However, if you do not act within certain deadlines established by law and by court practice, you may miss your opportunity to exercise your right to present a viable defense to the criminal charges, which have been leveled against you.
Appeals:
Criminal appeals are the most common types of appeals found in Florida's appellate courts. If you or a loved one has been convicted of a crime it is critical that you obtain the services of an attorney who understands Florida criminal law in addition to the substantive and procedural limits of appellate rights. The procedural framework for appellate practice is generally unlike the procedural framework at the trial court level. There are hard and fast, unchangeable deadlines involved in the appellate process and it is important that your lawyer understands what they are and which ones will or may impact on your appeal. In order to preserve the openness of the process and the peace of mind of all involved, it is critical to retain an attorney experienced in the appellate process. This attorney will meet the appropriate deadlines, provide you copies of the appellate record and stay in contact with the defendant as well as his or her family to provide updates on the notoriously slow appellate process.
Contact me:
If you decide to contact me to discuss your case there is never any charge. I promise to provide you with the time and attention that your case requires. I will come to our conversation understanding that the issues you are addressing are probably the most important and most stressful issues you have ever encountered. Consultations are always completely free and absolutely confidential.
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