Florida Criminal Defense Frequently Asked Questions

After you have been arrested, you should contact an experienced Sarasota criminal defense attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A to determine your next step. Remember that you have the right to remain silent, and you do not have to provide a statement to law enforcement.

If you think that there may be a warrant for your arrest, you have the ability to search for your name on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s warrant website found here.

However, this site is not exhaustive and may not have all the information you are looking for. Your best option is to retain an attorney.

At Pallegar Law, P.A. our goal is to make this process as smooth as possible for you. Many of our clients do not ever have to step foot in a courtroom. This is how we are able to represent you even if you do not currently reside in Florida.

Most of the cases we handle are resolved before a trial. An aggressive Sarasota criminal defense attorney will work hard to have the charges dropped, dismissed, or reduced. If the charges cannot be dropped, we will work with the State to come to an agreement on your case.

Felonies are regarded as more serious crimes, and carry harsher penalties than misdemeanors. The maximum sentence for a misdemeanor is one year in jail, plus fines and probation. The maximum sentence for a felony is 30 years in prison. This does not include life and capital felonies, which are both extremely severe charges and punishable by life in prison.

Simply put, an attorney will make your life easier. If you have been arrested, you likely just want to move on with your life. Pallegar Law, P.A. is there to help you do just that. We handle every aspect of your criminal case from start to finish, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

At Pallegar Law, P.A., we have many clients who were arrested while visiting or traveling through Florida, but live in another state. As stated earlier, our goal is to resolve your case as quickly and smoothly as possible, while keeping you out of the courtroom.

Depending on the severity of the charge, jail time may be inevitable. However, hiring an experienced Sarasota criminal defense attorney will minimize your chances of going to jail as we fight the charges against you.

This is a great scenario. If your case is dismissed, you are eligible to expunge all record of the arrest and the charge and it will be like it never happened.

Yes. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible to have your criminal record expunged or sealed. Visit these pages for more information on sealing and expunging.