Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyers And Attorneys
If you have been arrested for a crime in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you need the criminal lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A. working on your side. Whether you are facing a felony or misdemeanor charge, police questioning, a DUI charge, or a drunk driving charge, the consequences of being convicted of a crime can be quite serious. Not only could you possibly face time in jail, but you may also face the loss of your driver’s license, the loss of your ability to vote, and the loss of your ability to seek certain financial aid and federal programs. Individuals with criminal records face a range of challenges and collateral consequences. If you are under arrest, you have certain important rights under the law. First, you have the right to remain silent, and secondly, you have the right to a criminal lawyer. You are innocent until proven guilty. If you are being offered a plea deal, it is important to understand your rights and the consequences of accepting a plea bargain. In some cases, individuals plead guilty, not aware that the state and the police have insufficient evidence against them. If you are facing criminal charges, protect your rights. Ask to speak to the criminal lawyer Fort Lauderdale Florida, at the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A.
I’ve Been Arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. What are My Rights?
Recent Supreme Court rulings have changed the ways individuals need to assert their rights during and after an arrest. If you are stopped by the police, you always have the right to remain silent. According to the ACLU, you have the right to ask officers if you are free to go. If you are not being detained or are not under arrest, you are free to calmly walk away. Officers must have probable cause or a warrant to perform a search. If officers ask to search you, you have the right to tell them that you do not consent to a search. However, if an officer searches you anyway or performs a pat down, don’t resist. If you are later placed under arrest, you must tell the officers that you wish to remain silent and that you would like to speak to your criminal lawyer. As soon as you are permitted to do so, you may want to contact a criminal lawyer Fort Lauderdale, like the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Our criminal lawyers can review the circumstances of your arrest and fight for your rights if officers violated them.
If you are stopped while driving, keep your hands visible and follow the officer’s instructions. When you are stopped in a car, you have similar rights to those you have when stopped on foot or in person. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to refuse consent if an officer wants to search your vehicle. An officer may try to question you anyway and may search you anyway, but the evidence may not be admissible if it was gathered illegally. If you are suspected of driving while drunk, officers may have the right to ask you to submit to a breath test if you are under arrest. Refusing to this testing could result in the automatic suspension of your license. When you drive in Florida, you drive under Florida’s implied consent laws which stipulate that you must consent to a breath test if you are suspected of drinking and driving. However, officers must have a warrant to get a blood test.
If you are arrested, the only thing you need to tell officers is your name. You should also ask to speak to your criminal lawyer. You do not need to answer any questions asked of you. The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida offer legal counsel in the area of criminal law. Whether you are facing a DUI charge, a felony, or a misdemeanor, our firm is here to protect your rights.
Why You Should Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
The Supreme Court building in Washington DC
If you are under arrest in Fort Lauderdale, Florida you have the right to speak to your lawyer or have a public defender appointed for you. If you can afford a lawyer, it sometimes make sense to hire one. Public defenders are usually only available to indigent offenders and they are often overworked and only have minutes in some instances to devote to each case. If you are being offered a plea deal, it helps to have a lawyer who has the time to review all evidence gathered against you and to review the state’s case. In some instances, it makes sense to fight your charges in trial. Why? Criminal convictions can have an immense impact on your life. You could face difficulty getting hired, getting federal and state aid, and may even lose the right to vote in Florida. You need a qualified criminal defense lawyer fighting for your rights every step of the way. Police officers may use a range of questioning tactics to get information from you. In some cases, even things you casually say can be used against you. If you are facing charges, visit the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Our criminal lawyers will work closely with you to protect your rights under the law.
