Palm Beach County Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Florida, you need to have an aggressive Palm Beach County criminal defense attorney who can help you to fight these charges. At Meldon Law, we know how difficult and complex it can be to deal with criminal charges, whether this is a first offense or you have a previous criminal record. No matter what your situation is, our firm is here to evaluate your case and to help you understand your options for defending against the specific crime you have been accused of committing. Our firm has years of experience representing clients in both state and federal criminal charges, and we can talk with you today about the specifics of your case.
Our Palm Beach County Criminal Defense Lawyers Handle a Wide Variety of Cases
The Palm Beach County criminal defense attorneys at Meldon Law represent Floridians facing many different kinds of criminal charges, including but not limited to the following:
- First offense or subsequent offense for a DUI;
- Felony DUI cases;
- Assault and other violent crimes that result in both misdemeanor and felony charges;
- Drug crimes, which may include possession, distribution, manufacture, or trafficking offenses under state or federal law;
- Unlawful possession of a weapon or firearm, and other weapons offenses;
- Sex offense charges, including crimes that require sex offender registration;
- Federal criminal charges, such as bank or wire fraud and other kinds of white-collar offenses;
- Robbery and theft crimes; and
- Record sealing and expungement.
Sealing or expunging a criminal record refers to the process of either preventing your criminal record from being accessed by the public or deleting the criminal record entirely. Record sealing is possible in certain circumstances, but expunction is limited under Florida law. Our criminal defense lawyers in Palm Beach County can assess your case to determine whether record sealing or expunction may be possible for you.
Defending Against Criminal Charges in Palm Beach County
The defense strategy we will develop for your case will depend upon the specific charges you are facing. In order to convict you of any criminal offense under state or federal law, the prosecutor will need to prove detailed elements of the particular offense. Our defense strategy will focus on the elements of the crime to seek a dismissal of charges or an acquittal.
Handling All Types of Criminal Charges
No two criminal cases are the same. At Meldon Law, we have experience with a wide variety of charges and circumstances ranging from so-called “petty” crimes to serious felony offenses.
Misdemeanor Charges
Too many defendants mistakenly believe that because a charge is a misdemeanor, the matter is not serious enough to need an attorney. However, a misdemeanor conviction can still have many adverse effects on your finances and even your freedom. For example, a first-degree misdemeanor in Florida has a maximum potential sentence of $1,000 in fines and up to one year in jail. Even probation can have strict conditions that can restrict your life in numerous ways. You should ALWAYS take a misdemeanor charge seriously, and our firm handles all types of charges, including:
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We also regularly defend against felony charges. If you face a possible felony conviction, the stakes are extremely high and you need legal assistance as soon as possible. Felony charges can mean imprisonment, $5,000 or $10,000 fines, and many additional consequences. Many employers refuse to hire applicants with felony convictions on their records, and landlords may not wish to rent an apartment to people with felony records. We understand the dire consequences of felony convictions and work to help our clients avoid them whenever possible. Our attorneys defend against the following felony charges, among others:
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Driving under the influence (DUI) is a common charge in Palm Beach County with surprisingly serious penalties. You may believe that DUI is not as big of a deal as other offenses, however, authorities in Florida pursue DUI convictions aggressively. DUI convictions can result in the following:
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DUIs can also result in the loss of any jobs that require you to have a valid driver’s license or a clean driving record. Overall, DUI convictions can be costly, and it is always worth it to have the right defense to avoid a conviction.
We have many tactics to defend against DUI charges. This can include challenging chemical test results, presenting legal defenses, or proving Fourth Amendment violations. Defending against DUI charges is not a simple task, but our attorneys have the experience and skill to get the best result for you.
The Representation You Need
There are many steps in the criminal justice process—and things can move quickly. After an arrest, you will be booked and then will need to appear in court. If you don’t have defense counsel, the prosecutor can begin convincing you to plead guilty right away. No one in the courtroom is there to help you unless you have legal representation of your own.
At Meldon Law, we navigate every step of the process with you. We can help in the following ways and more:
- Be present at police interrogations to protect your rights and prevent any potentially incriminating statements
- Represent you at your first appearance and enter your plea of not guilty
- Argue for fair bail at a bail hearing so you can wait out your case at home instead of behind bars
- Gather evidence in your defense and review the prosecutor’s evidence against you
- Present all possible legal defenses that are appropriate in your case
- Try to suppress evidence based on any constitutional violations by police officers
- Advise you of your options and counsel you regarding pleading guilty or going to trial
- Negotiate for a favorable plea bargain with the prosecutor
- Represent at a jury trial if you decide to fight your charges
It is an unfortunate truth that defendants with skilled defense attorneys often obtain better results than unrepresented defendants. Without a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, it can be difficult to know the many ways you can defend yourself to have your charges reduced or even dropped. Our attorneys have defended against many types of criminal charges—from the seemingly minor to violent felonies. Always remember that NO criminal matter is minor and you can benefit substantially from the right defense in any type of case.
Contact a Palm Beach County Criminal Defense Attorney as Soon as Possible
Having a criminal record can make life difficult, as a record can affect your job, where you live, and much more. It is important to remember that after an arrest, a conviction is not inevitable. With the right defense attorney, there are many ways to defend against criminal charges and to achieve the best outcome possible in your case.
The criminal justice system in Palm Beach County is confusing and intimidating. The system is meant to move cases through quickly, and defendants often don’t get the information they need to decide whether to plead guilty to their charge. Too many people plead guilty without ever discussing their cases with a Palm Beach County criminal defense attorney. This is a mistake that often results in unnecessarily harsh consequences.
After an arrest, you should never hesitate to contact the dedicated criminal defense and DUI defense law firm of Meldon Law. We are ready to help clients facing criminal charges, and your consultation is always free. Please don’t wait any longer to contact our office if you have a criminal case.
