Although a prosecutor has the burden of proof in any criminal case, this does not mean that you should sit back and wait for them to try to prove the case. It is critical to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney who can examine the evidence and raise any procedural or substantive defenses that may be available. At Hanlon Law, our founder and principal, Bradenton criminal lawyer Will Hanlon, has more than two decades of experience in criminal courtrooms in Florida. We represent people accused of drug crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, domestic violence, theft crimes, white collar crimes, child abuse, and college campus crimes. We also represent people against whom injunctions are sought for domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence.
Drug CrimesThe possession, sale, manufacturing, and importation of many different controlled substances are prohibited in Florida. Controlled substances include cocaine, meth, morphine, and heroin, among other examples. Although simple possession of a small amount of marijuana may be charged as a misdemeanor, charges involving any other controlled substance are likely to be felony charges. For example, if you are caught possessing methamphetamine, you may face a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. If you are caught with the statutory threshold amount of a particular controlled substance, you will face drug trafficking charges. A conviction for drug trafficking comes with a mandatory minimum sentence.
Sex CrimesSex crimes include statutory rape, lewd and lascivious crimes, sexual battery (rape), Internet sex crimes, child pornography, and prostitution. What must be proven to secure a conviction depends on the particular sex crime charged. For example, to prove sexual battery, the prosecutor needs to show beyond a reasonable doubt that you had nonconsensual vaginal, oral, or anal contact with another person using a sex organ or an object. Sex crimes charged as felonies that are successfully proven by a prosecutor may result in a defendant needing to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life.
Violent CrimesViolent crimes include rape, aggravated assault, manslaughter, murder, and gun crimes in Florida. Sometimes there is a public outcry after a violent crime, and a prosecutor rushes to bring a charge. It is crucial to retain a criminal attorney in the Bradenton area to protect your rights, since convictions for violent crimes frequently come with severe penalties, such as significant prison time and fines. There may be strong defenses available, including self-defense, defense of others, or Stand Your Ground.
Domestic ViolenceIn Florida, domestic violence can include assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual battery, sexual assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, stalking, aggravated stalking, or any other crime that results in the physical injury or death of a family or household member by another family or household member. Family or household members include husbands, wives, ex-spouses, blood relatives, relatives by marriage, people living together as a family, people who lived that way in the past, and people who co-parent a child. Other than people who share a child, a family or household member can be charged with domestic violence only when they currently or previously lived together with the victim in a single dwelling unit.
Theft CrimesThere are many forms of theft, including car theft, burglary, money laundering, embezzlement, shoplifting, and forgery. The value of the stolen property or funds will determine whether a theft crime is charged as petit theft or grand theft. There are degrees of petit theft and grand theft that will determine the kinds of penalties that you may face for a conviction. For example, if the property is worth more than $100,000, you can be charged with grand theft in the first degree, which is punished by a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A Bradenton criminal attorney can help you seek to avert these potentially harsh penalties.
White Collar CrimesWhite collar crimes are usually motivated by greed rather than anger. There are special enhanced sanctions for nonviolent swindles under certain circumstances. An aggravated white collar crime involves engaging in a minimum of two white collar crimes that have the same or similar intents, victims, methods of commission, or accomplices, or that are otherwise linked through distinguishing characteristics rather than isolated incidents. If you commit an aggravated white collar crime and in doing so victimize 10 or more elderly people or 20 or more people, or if you try to obtain or obtain at least $50,000 from the State of Florida, you can be charged with a first-degree felony and also be required to pay a fine of $500,000 under the White Collar Crime Protection Act.
InjunctionsThere are several types of injunctions that victims of violence or stalking may be able to obtain. Even though an injunction is sought through a civil proceeding, you can be charged with a crime for failing to obey an injunction. Since it may open the door to criminal charges, it is important to hire an experienced attorney to fight the imposition of an injunction.
Child AbuseChild abuse can involve any serious mistreatment of a child, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse. A prosecutor will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intentionally mentally or physically injured a child, you committed an intentional act that could be reasonably expected to cause a physical or mental injury to the child, or you actively encouraged somebody else, thereby causing physical or mental injuries to a child.
College Campus CrimesOften, college students do not have maturity or good judgment, even when they are technically no longer minors. Accusations of sexual assault, drug crimes, DUI, underage drinking, robbery, and shoplifting are all common on college campuses. Unfortunately, a single charge can ruin a promising career. It is crucial to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney. When possible, you should consult an attorney even if all that has happened is that campus officials are investigating the accusation.
Hire a Criminal Lawyer in Bradenton or Surrounding CommunitiesWhenever you are facing felony or misdemeanor charges, you should retain a vigorous and experienced lawyer. Our founder, Will Hanlon, has knowledgeably represented criminal defendants since 1994. You can call Hanlon Law at 941.253.0254 or complete our online form to start discussing your case with us.