Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyers
Michael D. Weinstein, P.A.: Criminal Defense & Litigation is a criminal defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida committed to protecting the rights of those who are facing criminal charges or arrest. The criminal justice system can be challenging to navigate without help. Unfortunately, individuals facing misdemeanor charges face increased pressure to plead guilty to crimes, whether or not they are actually guilty. Even individuals facing felony charges can face pressure from prosecutors and officers to plead guilty in order to lower a potential sentence. In some cases, police and prosecutors have little to no evidence to convict. However, without a criminal defense lawyer, individuals may be frightened into making decisions they cannot take back. If you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges, contact Michael. D. Weinstein, P.A., Fort Lauderdale, Florida criminal defense lawyers today. The firm fights diligently for the rights of individuals facing a range of criminal charges.
A Criminal Defense Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Can Protect You From Police Tactics
When police bring a person in for questioning or arrest an individual on suspicion of a crime, the goal of an office or detective is to get a confession or get information from a suspect to lead to a criminal conviction. Unfortunately, police tactics used during questioning can lead to false confessions or coercion of information that may not always be accurate. Officers are legally permitted to use a variety of tactics to get a confession. For instance, officers can lie, yell, pretend they have evidence, and confine a person for a period of time. These tactics can lead individuals to say things they may regret, or even say things that may not be true.
What kind of interrogation methods do detectives and police use? If you are being questioned by police, it can be helpful to know how police gather evidence from suspects and witnesses. Here are a few examples:
- The Reid Technique: Officers usually begin their questioning by asking control questions that are not related to the crime. Police may try to build rapport with a suspect. They may tell a suspect that they are “on their side.” Then, officers will ask more pointed questions related to the crime. Officers watch closely for signs of anxiety or other tense body language. Unfortunately, many individuals who are held for questioning may experience anxiety. After all, who wouldn’t be nervous facing questioning and confinement in an interrogation room? The best way to avoid being subject to the Reid technique is to assert your right to remain silent and to ask to speak to your Fort Lauderdale, Florida criminal defense lawyer.
- Good Cop, Bad Cop: Officers may yell, scream, or claim to have evidence that a person committed a crime. Another officer may come in later, offering compassion. Individuals tend to open up to people who offer compassion in these tense situations. This can lead to a person saying things which can be incriminating.
- Playing on Your Faith in the Justice System: Innocent individuals often have an unwavering faith in the justice system. Unfortunately, detectives and prosecutors are trying to build a narrative about what happened. This narrative can sometimes involve a misinterpretation of evidence and the things a suspect says. If you are facing arrest or police questioning, understand that police and detectives may be trying to build a case against you. The best way to protect yourself is to seek the advice of Michael D. Weinstein, P.A., a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Protect Your Rights
If you have been charged with a crime you need the personal attention of Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer. Michael D. Weinstein, P.A. works closely with each client to help get the best possible outcome under the law. In some cases, the evidence doesn’t support a conviction. In other instances, officers had no legal grounds to make an arrest. Our firm fights to get charges dropped or reduced. Don’t plead guilty. Don’t settle for less. Contact Michael D. Weinstein, P.A., a criminal defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Board Certified Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyer
At Michael D. Weinstein, we work hard to ensure our clients are well informed about their legal proceedings and rights. In criminal cases, we know the stakes are high, and your legal representation should reflect a certain level of expertise and knowledge that you are confident about. As one of the best criminal defense law firms in Fort Lauderdale, we thought we would provide you with a series of considerations when seeking an attorney. Let’s get right to it.
Insight Into The Consultation
Every Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney has their theory around what should happen at the consultation and whether or not that meeting is free of charge. We urge you to get a clear picture as to what to expect at your consultation. Some attorneys will offer you a free consult under a particular time frame, others will charge you and give you as much time as you need. There is no right or wrong way to handle this, so long as you are comfortable with the arrangement. The problem comes if you don’t understand this upon your meeting and are then asked to pay a fee in exchange for the lawyer’s time. You can avoid this if you just ask about this up front. Also, inquire how much time this meeting usually takes and what you will be discussing.
Area of Practice – Criminal Law in Fort Lauderdale
We cannot stress enough, that the lawyer you intend to hire for your criminal case should be a lawyer who has extensive experience in this area of the law. Criminal cases are complex and have a required skill set, not all attorneys possess. In this instance, going to a “general practice” law firm is kind of like going to the Adidas store to get a Nike shoe. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, and you’re likely going to be disappointed with the outcome. Your Fort Lauderdale criminal defense law firm should focus almost exclusively on criminal cases, as these attorneys live and breathe this kind of case-work daily. Their experience, and commitment to the area of practice, is invaluable in criminal legal matters.
Legal Fees and Payment Plans
One of the most significant reasons people do not seek a criminal defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale, and end up with a public defender, is they think that they cannot afford them. This is a myth, and we would like to dispel that for you. A solid criminal defense lawyer won’t be “cheap” per se, but most do not expect you to pay those lump sums the moment you decide to work together. Ask your Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney what their fee structure is like and what kind of payment options they offer.
Some attorneys will work based on a flat-fee, while others will charge dependant on what they anticipate the caseload will be like. Ask about what your specific legal situation looks like financially; if there is a required retainer, what each legal element they provide costs, and how they bill. You will be surprised at how willing an attorney is to work with you on the financial end of your circumstances.
Case Specific Experience
After you’ve determined a lawyer works on criminal cases, you also want to make sure they have worked on legal matters like yours. If a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Lauderdale spends most of their time handling drug possession charges, but very little time handling criminal robbery, you may need to find someone with more case-specific expertise. Not only do specific criminal case lawyers know how to defend these types of matters, but they have established invaluable resources surrounding your particular situation. Someone who knows experts, has developed relationships with other legal minds or has a network of people at the courthouse to draw on will prove to be crucial to your case.
The Fort Lauderdale Law Firm Structure
You want to know that the person you hire to handle your criminal case is also the person who you will actually work with. All too often, a person will seek representation with a firm they see on TV, only to find that they end up working with a lawyer who has less experience. Not only is this disappointing, but it’s also reasonably misleading on the firm’s part. While you might be guilty of your charges, this doesn’t mean you don’t deserve quality legal representation.
Ask about who handles your case and how “hands-on” they are on a daily basis. Will the lawyer actually represent you in court, or will they send someone else in their place? If you are going to be paying for a quality lawyer, then you should actually be working with the person you expect to be at your side.
Your Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyer Accessibility
Your criminal matter might be one of the most challenging and stressful moments of your life. We, at Michael D. Weinstein, don’t take that lightly. In criminal cases, there are no second chances to get the right defense. Through this legal process, you’ll have a million questions and need assurances and confidence to get you through the matter. There will be requests made of you, that you and your attorney will need to act quickly to. You need to be able to trust that your Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer will be responsive when you truly need them. The Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer you decide to hire should be as available to you as near 24/7 and 365 days as possible.
Ask the law firm you’re working with if they have an emergency message service or a personal assistant that you can reach if needed. Inquire about the lawyer’s schedule and how they manage that with all the demands of their clients. You can even ask how many cases they might be working on and whether or not they feel taking on you as a client is too much for their legal plate.
We know you might have more questions and we are here to answer them. Please give our Fort Lauderdale criminal defense law firm a call, or connect with us online so we can learn about your case and get to work.