Miami Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Miami, FL

When you’re facing criminal charges in Miami, FL, your future and livelihood are in jeopardy. By trusting in an experienced Miami criminal defense attorney, you can walk into the courtroom prepared and with confidence. The Law Offices of Barry M. Wax offer legal representation for individuals throughout Florida and the United States. No matter if it’s a serious felony such as drug trafficking or a misdemeanor like theft, we know that your case is the most important thing in your life. And that makes it important to the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax.

The Sooner You Contact a Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer, the Better

If you’ve been arrested, don’t waste valuable time by taking a “wait and see” attitude. If you don’t take action before you have to go to court, you’re letting valuable time go by – a time when an experienced criminal defense attorney can be very effective. The time between arrest and your first court date is crucial and can be used to try to have charges dismissed or reduced. At the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax, we commence work on your case immediately to get results that benefit our clients.

Do you want a criminal defense attorney who responds to your questions and gives you honest answers? Then schedule a consultation today.

Criminal Law in Florida and the 10-20-Life Statute

If you or someone close to you were arrested for a criminal offense in Florida, it’s essential that you understand how criminal law works throughout the state and what your rights are during a case. Florida is well-known for having some of the harshest and most meticulous criminal laws of any state in the country. In addition to its strict punishments for criminal offenses, Florida also has unique rules in place to combat repeat offenders and violent offenses.

Some of the state’s unique criminal legislation includes its “three strikes law.” This law states that any individual who is charged with certain violent felonies will face drastically increasing punishments with each subsequent charge they receive. The three strikes law is also commonly known as the “10-20-life” law across Florida because it requires a judge to implement mandatory minimum sentences of 10, 20, or 25+ years in prison. It’s important to know that this law only applies to certain violent crimes, such as assault and aggravated child abuse, but it can impact your case immensely.

Our Firm’s Criminal Defense Services

At the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax, our devotion to our clients and their individual cases is what sets us apart from other firms. With more than three decades of practice in criminal law, our head attorney is able to provide proficient defense representation for almost any criminal offense in the state of Florida. Some of the defense services our firm is proud to offer include:

Assault: Assault occurs when someone intentionally threatens another individual with words or violence, consequently creating a well-founded fear that the victim would be harmed. Because this offense does not involve actual physical harm, it is generally categorized as a second or first-degree misdemeanor. Our firm has settled numerous assault cases and is prepared to see how we can assist you in yours today.

Battery: While assault involves an imminent threat of harm, battery occurs when someone intentionally causes physical harm to another person. It can also occur when an individual makes physical contact, such as touching or striking, against a victim’s will. Battery is generally a first-degree misdemeanor. However, a defendant can face a third-degree felony if their behavior results in the victim having a severe physical injury, disfigurement, or disability. Learn your rights in a Miami battery case with the help of our lead attorney.

Drug Possession: The possession of illegal drugs is one of the most common drug crimes in Florida. Depending on the type of drug the defendant had and the amount of it that was present, they may be arrested for anything from a first-degree misdemeanor up to a first-degree felony. Our firm has firsthand experience dealing with the intensity of Florida’s drug laws and has the knowledge needed to defend you against them.

Domestic Violence: Physical abuse, emotional abuse, and even financial abuse can all be forms of domestic violence when they are committed against people who the defendant shares an intimate relationship with. Domestic violence charges range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity of the charge. For example, if someone is charged with aggravated child abuse as a form of domestic violence, their offense may be considered a first-degree felony.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI): It is against the law to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Florida, you may be arrested for a DUI if you have a blood alcohol level that is 0.08% or higher. To help prevent repeat offenses, the penalties for a DUI increase greatly with each offense and can be charged as a felony by your third conviction. Talk to the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax if you’re facing DUI charges in Miami.

Fraud Crimes: Fraud can come in a wide range of forms and permanently impact your life if you’re convicted. Our firm provides defense services for a collection of fraud offenses, including healthcare fraud, Medicare fraud, identity fraud, and pharmaceutical fraud. To learn about what you’ll face during a fraud case in Miami, feel free to reach out.

Identity Theft: Identity theft is a serious crime that happens when one person steals the identifying information of another individual and uses it to commit other crimes. This can occur if a defendant steals someone’s social security number, their credit card number, or even their driver’s license number and passes it off as their own.

Money Laundering: Money laundering is a white-collar crime that can come with harsh penalties. This offense occurs when someone conceals, transfers, or conducts suspicious financial transactions to use money they do not own illegally. Depending on the amount of money that was laundered, a defendant can face a first, second, or third-degree felony in Miami.

Manslaughter: Manslaughter is a form of homicide that occurs when an individual kills another person without the intent to do so. It is considered an “accidental killing” and is classified as a second-degree felony in Florida. Manslaughter cases are intense and can become convoluted quickly, which is why having an experienced legal team is a necessity.

Robbery: Robbery is an offense that takes place when one person intentionally uses or threatens violence to take property that does not belong to them. Because robbery involves the use of force, it is already considered a felony in Florida. However, an individual who is charged with aggravated robbery can face second-degree felony charges. If you were accused of robbery in Miami, reach out to our defense team as soon as you can.

Theft: Theft in Florida is divided into two categories known as petty theft and grand theft. If an individual steals something and the value is under $750, it is considered petty theft and is a second-degree misdemeanor. If someone steals property that is valued over $750, the charge then becomes a felony and will increase in severity as the value of stolen property increases.

This is not a comprehensive list. We defend all criminal charges, whether in state or federal court. If you don’t see your charges above, get in touch with the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax today for more information.