Facing criminal charges can be one of the most stressful and life-altering experiences a person can encounter.
Common offenses, such as DUI, drug possession, theft, or violent crime, may carry serious consequences, including substantial fines, probation, and even the possibility of jail or prison time.
Beyond the legal penalties, these charges can damage your reputation, affect your employment prospects, and create lasting challenges for you and your loved ones.
However, being accused of a crime in Palm Beach County does not mean your fate is sealed. The right criminal defense attorney can play a pivotal role in protecting your rights and building a strong defense.
A skilled lawyer may be able to negotiate reduced charges, minimize penalties, or even have the case against you dismissed. Whether it’s challenging the evidence, finding procedural errors, or presenting mitigating factors, an experienced attorney can provide a clear path forward during an otherwise uncertain time.
When your future is on the line, having a knowledgeable advocate by your side can make all the difference.
DUI’s in Palm Beach County
In Florida, if convicted of driving under the influence (commonly referred to as a DUI), you can face serious penalties, including jail time and the potential to lose your driving privileges.
Imagine this scenario: After a long evening at a friend’s holiday party, Sarah decided to drive home, thinking she felt fine despite having several glasses of wine. As she approached a busy intersection, she failed to notice a red light and narrowly avoided colliding with another car. Moments later, flashing blue lights appeared in her rearview mirror, and a city of West Palm Beach police officer pulled her over, detecting the scent of alcohol on her breath during the stop.
Scenarios like this one happened every day across Florida. Because being charged with a DUI in Florida can have these serious consequences, it’s important to understand the potential penalties you may face if convicted of a DUI in the state of Florida.
Some common DUI penalties in Florida include:
License suspension
Fines
Probation
Community service
Ignition interlock device installation
Jail time
Hiring a lawyer is highly recommended for your DUI and any drunk driving offense. Florida DUI laws are complex and, obviously, the consequences can be severe life-altering. However, a DUI lawyer can help minimize the court-imposed fees and the long-term effect a DUI can have on your life.
Drug Crimes in Palm Beach County
In the state of Florida, drug charges pertain to any controlled substance, including marijuana, prescription drugs, and methamphetamines. Any illegal use, sale, possession, or manufacture of a controlled drug could lead to an arrest and serious criminal charges.
Imagine this scenario: Late one night, Alex, a 22 year old college student, was standing near a gas station parking lot, exchanging small bags of cocaine for cash with an undercover officer posing as a buyer. Moments after the transaction, uniformed police officers moved in and arrested him, finding several more bags of cocaine in his jacket pocket. Stunned, Alex realized the gravity of his situation as he was taken into custody.
State and local agencies commit a lot of time, money and other resources to limiting the sale of drugs within Palm Beach County. Florida statutes state it is illegal to sell, possess, manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to sell certain controlled substances, like prescription pain medications, cannabis, and cocaine.
If you’ve been charged with a drug crime in West Palm, Palm Beach County, or anywhere else in Florida, you could face harsh penalties if convicted.
Depending on the drug, amount, and type of offense, you could receive prison time from one to 30 years and fines which can vary from $1,000 to $750,000. In addition to fines and prison time, you will also lose your driver’s license for at least six months if convicted of a drug crime in Florida.
If you or a loved one is facing a drug charge, be sure to contact a Florida drug crime lawyer immediately.
Theft Crimes in Palm Beach County
You may be charged with a theft crime if you obtain property or financial gain through obvious deceit, violence, or threat.
Imagine this scenario: During a busy dinner shift, Camilla, a waitress at a local West Palm Beach restaurant, discreetly used a small skimming device to copy the credit card information of unsuspecting customers. One evening, a customer noticed unauthorized charges on their account shortly after dining and reported it to the restaurant and authorities. After an investigation, police traced the fraud back to Emily, uncovering the device hidden in her apron pocket.
This kind of theft and many others happen frequently across Florida.
Florida law defines numerous types of theft crimes and charges can range from misdemeanor offenses to felony crimes. If convicted, you may face jail or prison time, fines, restitution to the victim or victims, probation, and a lifelong criminal record.
The Pakett Law Group, PA may be able to work with you if you have been charged with:
Burglary
Credit card theft
Cybercrimes
Embezzlement
Forgery
Fraud
Identity theft
Mail theft
Robbery
Shoplifting
Have you been arrested for a theft-related crime in Palm Beach?
It is important to remember that you have rights, including that you are entitled to obtain the representation of an experienced and trusted theft crime attorney.
Violent Crimes in Palm Beach County
Crimes that are considered violent often involve serious bodily injury, harm, or death to a victim.
Imagine this scenario: After a stressful day, Miguel and his partner Lisa got into a heated argument about finances in their living room. As emotions escalated, Miguel lost his temper and pushed Lisa during the confrontation, causing her to fall and break her arm and a rib. A neighbor overheard the commotion and called the police, who arrived shortly after to find a visibly shaken Lisa and arrested Michael for domestic violence.
Domestic violence scenarios like this are not uncommon and prosecutors will do everything in their power to ensure that offenders receive the most severe penalties for their charges, so it is essential that you protect yourself with a personalized defense.
In Florida, violent crimes can include:
Assault
Domestic violence
Kidnapping
Manslaughter
Murder
Rape
Robbery
Sexual assault
Vehicular crimes
Any violent crime carries a mandatory jail sentence, but some factors may increase your penalties. Prosecutors will look into aggravating factors, premeditation of the crime, the injuries to the victim or victims, if weapons were used in the crime, such as a gun, and other factors unique to each case to determine how they think you should be sentenced.
Don’t Wait to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney in West Palm Beach
The bottom line is this: if you’ve been charged with a crime or are under investigation, the best time to hire a criminal defense attorney is immediately.
The earlier you have professional legal representation, the better your chances of avoiding critical mistakes, protecting your rights, and achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
Remember – arrests are common in Florida, the legal consequences are serious, and having a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer is essential to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome.
If you were charged with a serious crime in West Palm Beach or anywhere in the state of Florida, please schedule a free consultation with The Pakett Law Group. You can call 561-318-0531 or email us here.
The Pakett Law Group, PA is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality representation. With over a decade of legal experience, West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer Brian T. Pakett and his team of West Palm Beach criminal lawyers possess a comprehensive understanding of Florida criminal law – which can benefit you in your time of need.