St. Pete Criminal Defense Lawyers Protecting Your Future And Your Freedom
You may have a number of thoughts, questions, and concerns immediately following your arrest. What are the chances of getting convicted? Is there any way to fight the charges? How will the case affect your career, finances, and family? If these are the questions that are keeping you up at night, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Carlson Meissner Hart &Hayslett right away.
Our attorneys know how terrifying it is to face criminal charges in St. Pete. Our goal is to take some of this stress away by guiding you through the criminal court system, protecting your rights, and aggressively fighting for your freedom. If you’ve been charged with a crime, seek justice with our help. Discuss your case today by calling 877-728-9653 to schedule a free consultation with our lawyers.
Will You Face Jail Time If You’re Convicted Of A Crime in St. Pete?
The courts in Florida can impose a wide range of penalties on anyone who is convicted of a crime, including jail or prison time. Jail time is a possibility if you are convicted of a misdemeanor crime in St. Pete, whereas prison time is possible if you are convicted of a felony crime.
These aren’t the only penalties that you can face for a criminal conviction. In addition to jail or prison time, the court can also impose:
- Fines
- Mandatory completion of community service hours
- Probation
- Driver’s license suspension
The penalties that are imposed on you will depend on your prior criminal record and the severity of your crime.
What Happens If A Police Officer Does Not Read Your Miranda Rights?
Most people in the U.S. believe that if a police officer does not read your Miranda Rights to you, your case will get dismissed. This is not a true statement.
Your Miranda Rights only apply if the law enforcement officer asks you questions while you are in custody. This is called “custodial interrogation.” Basically, this means if you are in custody, in handcuffs, or not free to go, a police officer must read your Miranda Rights before they begin interrogating you. If they fail to read these rights, and you choose to answer their questions, your statements cannot be used against you. This is because you were not aware of your rights, including your right to remain silent, when answering the questions. Your case will not be dismissed, but your statements, which could be used as evidence against you, will not be admissible in your case.
However, if you are arrested but not questioned, the fact that your Miranda Rights were not read to you will not impact the outcome of your case.
What Does A Criminal Attorney in St. Pete Do?
By hiring a criminal defense attorney, you are essentially investing in your future. If you hire our attorneys, we will:
- Ensure you are treated fairly by the criminal justice system
- Analyze your case to look for flaws and weaknesses
- Gather evidence that can be used to weaken the state’s case against you
- Represent you during all court hearings
- Help you understand your legal options and make the right decisions for your future
- Negotiate with the state in an effort to get your charges reduced or dismissed
- Negotiate terms of a favorable plea deal
- Present a strong, effective defense to a judge and jury
These are some of the many responsibilities that our team will take on when representing you. Our criminal defense attorneys will be your biggest allies in your fight for your freedom. Let us review your case and begin developing an effective defense strategy that we can use to reach the best possible outcome in your case.
Book A Free Case Evaluation With Our St. Pete Criminal Lawyers Now
Every second matters when you are facing criminal charges. If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, seek legal representation from the criminal defense lawyers at Carlson Meissner Hart &Hayslett as soon as possible. Together, our attorneys have more than 125 years of experience defending the rights of the accused. We use our extensive experience and resources to aggressively protect our clients’ best interests and fight for their freedom.
Let us review your case, explore your legal options, and explain how we can help during a free consultation with our team. To schedule a free consultation regarding your case, call our law firm at 877-728-9653 or submit your information using the form on this website.
