Life Sentence Avoided: How We Reduced Armed Felony Charges To Misdemeanors In Polk County
DISCLAIMER: The results are specific to the facts and legal circumstances of each of the clients’ cases and should not be used to form an expectation that the same results could be obtained for other clients in similar matters without reference to the specific factual and legal circumstances of each client’s case.
The Stakes: Life in Prison or a Second Chance?
We recently helped a client in Polk County facing the kind of charges that could have changed his life forever:
- Armed battery with a firearm
- Armed robbery
- Armed false imprisonment
These were serious violent felonies, carrying a 10-year minimum mandatory sentence, and each was punishable by life in prison.
When our client came to us, he was already being represented by another attorney. The best offer on the table at that time?
Five years in prison followed by five years of probation.
But our client wasn’t ready to give up and neither were we.
Our First Move: Challenge Everything
We took over the case in August and immediately got to work. One of our first steps was to take the deposition of the alleged victim.
That alone changed everything.
After the deposition, the State improved its offer:
Three years in prison followed by probation. Still serious. Still felonies. Still unacceptable.
We didn’t stop there.
Filing Motions. Applying Pressure. Turning the Case Around.
We continued to challenge the State’s evidence, file motions, and fight back against the assumptions baked into the case.
Step by step, the leverage shifted.
And finally, today walking out of Polk County Criminal Court we’re proud to say:
- Our client pled to two misdemeanors
- The felony count was dismissed
- He will not serve a single day in jail or prison
- He will be on probation for just one year
- And most importantly: the judge withheld adjudication
What Withholding Adjudication Really Means
When adjudication is withheld in Florida, no formal conviction is entered, and the person does not have to disclose a criminal conviction on most applications or background checks.
This means our client gets the chance to move forward, to rebuild, and to keep his future intact without being labeled for life because of a mistake or accusation.
“We never stop at the first offer,” said Attorney Daniel Izquierdo.
“We’re going to push, investigate, and work your case until we know we’ve gotten the best possible result. That’s what this client needed and that’s exactly what we delivered.”
Do You Need a Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you or someone you love is facing serious felony charges in Miami, you need to speak with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Coral Gables office directly at 305.707.7345. You should also download my free book “State of Florida v. YOU”. This free download provides valuable information and answers to questions about criminal charges that can give you the best chance at winning your case.