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Work With an Experienced Sanford Criminal Defense Lawyer

Facing criminal charges, or being involved in a criminal investigation, is a traumatic and stressful ordeal, which could have serious repercussions for your future, regardless of how the verdict is returned. A criminal conviction could reduce employment opportunities, and could destroy your reputation, your standard of living, your finances, and your relationships.

Criminal cases are complex and should be handled by a lawyer who is familiar with criminal procedures and the local legal community. To protect yourself and your future, you need to enlist the services of Ryan N. Yadav, a leading Sanford criminal defense lawyer, who will help you successfully navigate the pre-trial interrogations, police investigations, and the court room, and work hard to get your charges dismissed or reduced whenever possible.

If you have been arrested for the first time, you may not know what to expect, or how best to handle your situation. Often, law enforcement officials will take advantage of your fear, inexperience, and nervousness, using techniques and tricks that are purposefully designed to incriminate you, even if you are innocent. Having a lawyer present can severely restrict an investigating officer’s ability to use these tricks. With the help of a Sanford criminal defense lawyer, you can also ensure that your legal rights are protected and retain a guide through an unfamiliar and often frightening experience.

Protect Your Rights

There is a wide variety of illegal criminal activities as defined by Florida’s laws, and engaging in, or being suspected of, any one of them, or a combination, could lead to serious legal trouble. From the minute you are charged, or become involved in an investigation, you have rights that need to be protected, and only the help of a Sanford criminal defense lawyer can keep you from accidentally implicating yourself, or signing away your rights to silence, representation, or any other right you have during a criminal trial.

When you are first charged and arrested, you will have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. You do not need to make a statement, or provide an alibi or excuse, or own up to anything until after you have spoken to a lawyer and gone over all the angles and options available to you. If the arresting officer tries to trick you into making a confession, or fails to read you your Miranda rights, you may be able to have your case dismissed due to police misconduct. There are a number of ways your case could be jeopardized or compromised, and it starts with the protection of your rights.

Drug Crimes

Florida law imposes harsh consequences for people convicted of crimes involving illegal substances.

The most common drug offenses include:

  • Drug possession: Having a controlled substance for personal use
  • Possession with intent: To sell, manufacture, or deliver
  • Drug trafficking: Possessing large quantities of a substance, regardless of intent
  • Drug manufacturing: Growing or producing illegal substances
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia: Items used to consume, manufacture, or distribute drugs

These crimes can range from misdemeanors to first-degree felonies, depending on the substance and the amount. Florida classifies drugs into five schedules, based on their potential for abuse and medical use.

A misdemeanor possession of marijuana (less than 20 grams), for example, comes with as much as one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Felony possession of cocaine, heroin or ecstasy means as much as five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Possession with intent to sell ratchets up the potential prison time to 15 years behind bars, while mandatory minimum sentences for drug trafficking range from 3 years to life. These minimums are strictly enforced, and judges have limited discretion to depart from them unless specific exceptions apply. That is not to mention the hefty fines that come with convictions in more serious cases.

A drug conviction in Florida can have long-lasting effects beyond jail time and fines.

  • Driver’s license suspension
  • Loss of professional licenses or employment
  • Loss of eligibility for student loans or federal aid
  • Difficulty obtaining housing or passing background checks
  • Social stigma

Fortunately, many first-time offenders who are not also accused of violent crimes along with drug offenses can avoid long sentences through drug court and other pretrial diversion programs. These programs focus on treatment instead of incarceration. They often include substance abuse counseling, random drug testing, regular court check-ins, and school enrollment or employment requirements.

There are also a number of different defenses available in drug cases. Many of the strongest defenses concern how drugs and other evidence were obtained. An experienced criminal defense attorney can challenge the legality of the arrest, negotiate reduced charges, or advocate for entry into diversion programs.

Domestic Violence

Florida law defines domestic violence broadly to include a wide range of offenses committed by one member of a family or household against another member of the same family or household. The offenses include assault, battery, stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and other criminal offenses that result in injury or death.

Domestic violence cases in Florida commonly involve:

  • Spouses and former spouses
  • People related by blood or marriage
  • People living together or who have lived together as a family
  • Parents who share a child, regardless of marital status or cohabitation

Domestic violence does not require physical injury to be charged as a crime. Threats, intimidation, and emotional abuse can also fall under this umbrella when connected to one of the listed crimes.

Florida has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to domestic violence. If police are called to a domestic disturbance and believe a crime occurred, someone is likely to be arrested. That is true even if the alleged victim does not want to press charges. Once a person is charged, the state can proceed with prosecution regardless of whether the victim agrees to cooperate.

These cases are typically handled by specialized prosecutors trained to work with victims of abuse. Prosecutors will seek enhanced penalties in many cases. They often resist dropping charges, especially if the person accused of the crime has a prior history of violence.

Domestic violence charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the circumstances. The most common charge is domestic battery, which is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable up to one year in jail, as well as one of probation and as much as $1,000 in fines.

More serious offenses – aggravated battery, strangulation, use of a deadly weapon – are treated as felonies. The potential prison time ranges from five years to life behind bars.

Florida law requires that any person convicted of a domestic violence offense serve a mandatory minimum of at least five days in jail. A conviction comes with a permanent criminal record: Domestic violence charges are not eligible for sealing or expungement.

Offenders are often also ordered to:

  • Complete a 26-week Batterer’s Intervention Program
  • Refrain from contacting the victim during and after the case
  • Give up all firearms

That is not all. For parents, a domestic violence conviction can impact their custody and visitation rights.

There are a number of defenses that can be used in these cases.

  • False accusations: Accusations are sometimes made out of anger, jealousy or to gain leverage in divorce or custody disputes.
  • Self-defense: You may have used reasonable force to protect yourself from harm.
  • Lack of evidence: If there are no injuries, eyewitnesses, or credible testimony, prosecutors may not be able to prove the case.
  • Mutual combat: In some situations, both parties may be aggressors, making it difficult to determine which party is guilty of a crime.

A seasoned criminal defense attorney can help challenge evidence, negotiate reduced charges, or advocate for dismissal based on the facts of your case.

Sex Crimes

Sex crime offenses are among the most aggressively prosecuted crimes in Florida. These offenses carry harsh penalties, intense social stigma, and life-altering consequences. That is true even for those merely accused and not yet convicted.

The state’s legal system treats these cases with a presumption of severity, and prosecutors are often unwilling to negotiate lenient outcomes without compelling reasons.

Sex crimes under Florida law include a broad range of offenses involving sexual conduct.

  • Sexual battery (rape)
  • Lewd or lascivious acts involving minors
  • Possession or distribution of child pornography
  • Sexual misconduct with a minor or a vulnerable adult
  • Solicitation of a minor or prostitution
  • Indecent exposure or voyeurism
  • Online enticement or grooming

State law emphasizes the protection of victims, especially children and vulnerable adults. Sex crime cases are often handled by specialized prosecutors with training in victim advocacy and forensic evidence. They typically pursue these cases aggressively. A person accused of a sex crime is likely to be immediately arrested and held in jail on a high or no bond.

The penalties for sex offenses in Florida vary depending on the type and severity of the offense and the age of the victim, among other factors. Most sex crimes are felonies, and many are subject to mandatory minimum sentences. A person who is convicted of a sex crime is required to register as a sex offender or sexual predator. The state sex offender registry is public: it includes your photo, address, employer, and details about your offense.

Registration as a sex offender can also limit where you can live (especially near schools, parks, or daycares) and work. You may be required to report your travel, employment, and internet identifiers to the authorities and have regular check-ins with law enforcement. If you fail to comply with these rules, you may face additional criminal prosecution.

Given these stakes, anyone accused or suspected of a sex crime must have an experienced criminal defense attorney in her or her corner. Sex crime allegations often rely on the credibility of the accuser, which makes a strong defense critical. Consent and mistaken identity are some of the most common defenses in these cases.

Florida Criminal Law FAQ

What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?

Misdemeanors are less serious crimes that carry less severe punishments. They often involve minor offenses that do not cause significant harm to others or society. Common examples include petty theft, simple assault, and first-time possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Felonies are more serious crimes, which typically involve violence, large financial losses, or significant harm to victims or the public. Examples include robbery, drug trafficking, sexual assault, and murder.

Should I Take a Plea Deal?

A plea deal is an agreement in which a person charged with a crime agrees to plead guilty or no contest to a criminal charge. The deal is often in exchange for some type of reduced punishment, lesser charge, or the dismissal of other charges. This can be a strong option for some criminal defendants; however, it is essential to understand that it will result in a permanent criminal record.

What Should I Do If I am Accused or Suspected of a Crime?

Exercise your right to remain silent. Do not make statements to law enforcement or prosecutors without your attorney present. You should also be wary of talking about your case with anyone who is not directly involved in the legal proceedings. Preserve evidence by gathering and protecting all relevant documents, photographs, videos, correspondence, and other evidence related to the case.

Do I Need Legal Representation?

You are not required to have a criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with an offense in Florida, but the stakes are simply too high to go it alone. An experienced defense lawyer will work aggressively to help you start building a defense right away.

Fight Back With Help From Sanford Criminal Defense Lawyer Ryan Yadav

If you have been charged with a crime in Florida, you do not need to go it alone. Sanford criminal lawyer Ryan Yadav can help you understand your situation and begin defending the case right away. Ryan will fight aggressively to protect your rights. Call 407-878-7855 or contact us online to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation and discover how a criminal lawyer can assist you.

Ryan Yadav represents residents in Sanford, Seminole County, and the surrounding areas who have been charged with criminal activity and are facing court. Ryan is committed to ensuring that you receive a fair trial, and he will aggressively defend your case by investigating all legal theories and possible defenses, in order to best protect your constitutional rights. If you or someone you care about has been charged with or investigated for the following crimes, our Sanford criminal defense lawyers can help.

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