Criminal Defense Attorney in Yulee, FL
Have you or a loved one been arrested? If so, you need the services of an experienced Yulee, Florida criminal defense attorney. Many cases are won or lost in the days following an arrest, and those without professional representation are more prone to hand incriminating evidence to the police. Without an attorney, few criminal suspects fully understand their rights.
At Lockett Law, P.A., we have several decades of experience in criminal cases. Our team can meet with you and accompany you to any interrogation with the police so that you don’t say something you shouldn’t have. Please give us a call.
Cases We Defend
Our experience is broad and deep, and our team has defended clients against a variety of charges, both serious and relatively minor. We have handled cases involving:
- Violent crimes, such as assault, homicide, vehicular homicide, and attempted murder.
- Sex crimes, including rape.
- Drug crimes, including possession and trafficking of marijuana, narcotics, prescription drugs, and controlled substances.
- DUIs, whether misdemeanor or felonies.
If you are facing criminal charges in either state or federal court, we can represent you.
Suppressing Evidence
There is no question that the police routinely violate a criminal suspect’s rights when collecting evidence. These violations can range from failure to give all four Miranda warnings to searching someone’s residence without permission or a search warrant. When police obtain evidence illegally, a judge is empowered to suppress the evidence, which means it cannot be used against you.
Bringing a motion to suppress requires attention to detail and knowledge of constitutional criminal procedure. There are also timing requirements. If a motion is not brought properly, a court will consider it waived.
At Lockett Law, P.A., we have won many cases by getting incriminating pieces of evidence suppressed. For example, if the state cannot introduce evidence of drugs, it is difficult to convict you.
Finding Holes in the Prosecution
There are usually several defenses that our team can bring, depending on the facts of the case and the charges against our client. However, the government always has the burden of proving each element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Sometimes, this means that all we need to do is point out all the evidence that the state does not have. We can also find other evidence that contradicts what the government has introduced, leaving jurors with reasonable doubt.
Hiring the Right Criminal Defense Attorney
Some criminal defense attorneys take a hands-off approach and wait for the prosecutor to offer a plea deal, which they then present to their client as the best option available. At Lockett Law, P.A., we practice a different approach. Our founder, L. Lee Lockett has handled 45 jury trials and worked for decades as an Assistant State Attorney. Having been on both sides of the aisle, he understands instinctively how prosecutors think and is not afraid to take a case to the jury.
Aggressively Defending against Misdemeanor Charges
Crimes in Florida are typically either misdemeanors or felonies, with felonies being the more serious. If convicted of a felony, then a defendant is more likely to spend time in prison, for a longer length of time, and can also lose other rights, such as the right to possess a firearm.
This does not mean, however, that those charged with a misdemeanor should simply let the criminal process play out and hope to receive a lenient sentence. Even a conviction for a misdemeanor can cast a shadow long into the future:
- Possible difficulty obtaining employment. Florida employers almost always run a criminal background check, and no law prevents them from refusing to hire you based on what they find.
- Problems finding an apartment. Landlords also like to pull background checks before renting an apartment.
- Difficulty obtaining a professional license. A misdemeanor conviction might keep you from working in your preferred profession.
Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney in Yulee, FL
Our lawyers offer a free initial consultation to those with questions. Give us a call today or send a message through our contact page.
