Criminal Defense

There are two types of traffic tickets, civil infractions and criminal traffic offenses. Civil infractions: are civil offenses that are punishable by monetary fines, points on your license or traffic school. Criminal traffic offenses: are more serious than civil infractions in that they are considered misdemeanors and may be punishable by monetary fines or incarceration. Misdemeanors are more serious than a civil infraction but less-serious crimes than a felony. Misdemeanors include any crimes that are punishable by less than a year in prison. Some misdemeanor offenses carry mandatory jail sentences.

Felonies are typically the most serious crimes in any system of criminal law. Felonies include any crimes that are punishable by a year or more in prison or death. Many felony convictions carry mandatory prison sentences. A felony conviction can also result in the loss of certain civil rights. For instance, convicted felons lose their rights to vote, to hold public office, to possess firearms, and to serve as jurors. The attorneys at the Levers Law Firm handle a variety of traffic tickets, misdemeanor and felony matters.

Yes. The signing of the citation is not an admission of guilt, but only an acknowledgement that you are being charged with a crime and of the upcoming court date. In the case of a criminal traffic offense and some misdemeanors (e.g. possession of marijuana under 20 grams) the officer is not required to arrest you, but may issue a citation (notice to appear) requiring your appearance in court. In the event you receive a ticket, you should immediately contact the attorneys of the Levers Law Firm.

You should remain silent except to request to call your lawyer. Although the police may seem like they are on your side or somehow sympathetic to your case, they have most likely already made up their mind to arrest you. Do not give the police additional ammunition by attempting to talk your way out of trouble. In the event you are arrested, you should immediately ask to call a lawyer. The attorneys at the Levers Law Firm are available 24 hours a day.

No. The police are only required to read you your Miranda rights if you are taken into custody and interrogated. In other words, the police don’t have to read you your rights if they don’t plan on asking you questions. There are, however, circumstances where a confession or a statement to the police may be ruled inadmissible. The attorneys at Levers Law Firm can examine your case to determine whether any of your rights were violated.

Yes. In Florida, a person charged with any crime has the right to a trial by jury or a bench trial. In a jury trial, the jury renders the verdict. In a bench trial, the judge, not a jury, renders the verdict. In all trials, the prosecution has the burden of proof. The Defendant has a fundamental right to testify or not testify. If the prosecution cannot meet its case beyond a reasonable doubt, then the charge will be dismissed or judgment rendered in favor of the defendant. If desired, the attorneys at the Levers Law Firm are willing to take your case to trial.

It depends on the specific crime for which you are convicted. Florida has some of the toughest sentencing laws in the country. Many of Florida crimes carry mandatory prison sentences. If you are convicted of a crime that carries a mandatory prison sentence, the judge will have no choice but to sentence you to jail or prison. That is why hiring the right criminal attorney is the biggest decision they one will make in their lifetime.