I have already been arrested and charged with a minor crime. Do I really need a lawyer if I just want to plead guilty and get it over with?

Even if you are being charged with a minor offense to which you believe you are guilty, you should always have an attorney review your case before entering a plea. Even if you are being charged for possession of alcohol, the penalties for a first offense range from hundreds of dollars in fines to 60 days in jail. Any type of conviction for drug charges will come up whenever a prospective employer runs a background check, and will also make you ineligible to receive federal financial aid for college. An attorney may help you find defenses you did not even know were available. If all else fails, your attorney may be able to negotiate for leniency or a reduced charge.

I have been accused of a crime I didn't commit. Won't the prosecution view my retaining a criminal defense lawyer as an admission of guilt?

Not at all. If you are charged with a crime, it is your Constitutional right to have professional legal representation present. Regardless of your involvement (or lack thereof), the right to an attorney is one of the most important rights you have as an American.

Can a law enforcement officer detain you without arresting you?

A police officer can detain you for a reasonable time if you are suspected to have been involved in criminal activity. The police officer may perform a pat-down if there is any reason to suspect that you may be carrying a weapon. If you are carrying a weapon (regardless of any involvement in the activity for which you are being detained), the officer may remove the weapon for the purposes of safety. It is likely the officer will ask you questions, but you are within your rights to refuse to answer. Remember – when speaking with any law enforcement officer regarding suspected criminal activity, you always have the constitutional right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present with you for all questioning. Never speak with any law enforcement officer about your involvement in suspected criminal activity without first consulting with an experienced attorney!

Orlando Criminal Defense Lawyers | Bogin, Munns & Munns

The criminal defense attorneys at Bogin, Munns & Munns handle virtually all aspects of defending Floridians charged with misdemeanors and felonies. If you’ve been charged with any of the following offenses, or believe you may be under investigation by law enforcement, our attorneys can help!

Attempted Murder– Driving Under the Influence (DUI) –Aggravated Assault– Aggravated Battery – Assault – Battery – Boating Under the Influence (BUI) – Burglary – Child Neglect – Disorderly Conduct – Driving While License Suspended – Failure to Appear – False Imprisonment – Grand Theft – Grand Theft Auto – Habitual Traffic Offender – Kidnapping – Manslaughter – Possession of Marijuana – Property Damage – Reckless Driving – Retail Theft – Robbery – Speeding – Trespassing – Violation of Probation

It is important that you contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after being arrested, issued a citation, or issued a Notice to Appear. Often, your rights and the course of your case are dependent on the actions taken by you and your attorney immediately, and you may only have a short time to act.

Protect yourself!

Don’t let the Court system, the Public Defender’s Office, or the State Attorney’s Office dictate the course of your future.

Whether you’ve been wrongly accused or believe that you may have committed a crime, our experienced criminal defense attorneys will offer you a FREE consultation so you can fully understand the legal process and the law as it applies to your specific situation.

Before you make any decisions, and before you go to Court unprepared, you should know your rights and you should know your options. Many offenses in Florida carry hidden consequences, including mandatory jail time, mandatory probation, suspension of your driving privilege and a permanent criminal record. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys will navigate you through the process to ensure your rights remain fully protected.

We are also available to assist you in sealing or expunging your existing criminal records.

To consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer serving Orlando, call 855-686-6752

We have 13 locations throughout Central Florida and North Central Florida. We are happy to meet you in the location that is most convenient to you. With our main office in Orlando, we have 12 other offices including Clermont, Cocoa, Daytona, Gainesville, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Melbourne, Ocala, Orange City, St. Cloud, Titusville, and The Villages. Our Attorneys work aggressively to ensure your criminal defense case is handled with the care you should expect from a firm that has been around for over 40 years.