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Being charged with a crime can be terrifying, and you may be wondering what you should do next. Your first step should be hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney. If you’ve been charged with a crime in Florida, call me at Venessa Bornost, P.A. in Dunedin.

In Florida, a defendant convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime may be sentenced to serve a specific amount of time in county jail or state prison. Depending on the surrounding circumstances of your case, the judge may suspend the jail or prison sentence. As an alternative to jail, you may have to serve time on probation once your sentence is suspended.

If you’re arrested and charged for committing a crime in Florida, you must trudge through the criminal court process to determine your fate. However, if you plead guilty, no contest, or if the judge or jury determines that you’re guilty of the allegations at trial, a pre-sentence investigation will be conducted before a sentencing hearing.

If you have been accused of a crime or are facing criminal charges, you need to understand what to expect during your case, especially when it proceeds to trial. Knowing what to expect at trial can give you a better understanding of your rights and help you adequately prepare for the upcoming legal proceedings.

When a person is suspected of committing a crime, they may be arrested by law enforcement. Once arrested, the defendant will be scheduled to attend an arraignment and go through other steps in the criminal justice process to determine whether or not they are guilty and, if so, what kind of punishment is appropriate in their situation.

Search and seizure laws are essential in the United States. These laws serve as a fundamental element in the American legal system, ensuring that the police and other law enforcement agencies cannot arbitrarily violate citizens’ constitutional rights.

Under Florida law, you're allowed to protect yourself, your property, or another person from an attacker or a dangerous situation using the necessary level of force. However, there are certain state statutes and rules addressing the use of force or deadly force in self-defense or defense of property.

It’s an undeniably stressful experience to be facing criminal charges, no matter what you think your level of guilt or innocence is. However, many people falsely believe that they won’t need the help of a criminal defense attorney if they’re guilty. The truth is that any charges are worth fighting because the consequences of a guilty plea can vary so much depending on the specifics of your situation.

Receiving a license suspension or revocation is an unfortunate part of being a motorist in Florida. Motorists can have their licenses suspended or revoked depending on many circumstances. Please note that Florida takes traffic incidents seriously. In 2021, the Florida Highway Safety office reported 401,540 vehicle crashes. Consequently, Florida uses license suspensions and revocations to keep motorists safe.

Traffic violations can sometimes be confusing. Drivers may be unaware of when and where they committed an alleged infraction. As a result, most drivers who would like to fight the charged traffic violation may not know how to get started. Leaving the charge uncontested is certainly not the best approach. The consequences may be too high for a potentially unfair infraction. That is why getting the right legal counsel is crucial in protecting the right to a fair defense.