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This is one of the most common questions and myths that criminal defense attorneys hear from prospective clients.  While we understand that not everyone has the money to retain a private attorney to fight for them in criminal court; you should try to hire one prior to arraignment (and give them time to reach out to the State) if possible because the benefit to you can be huge.  Why is that?  See, an arraignment is the beginning of every criminal case.  It is where the state announces whether they are filing charges against you and what charges they’re filing. 

Now, you have to be selective and hire someone you trust as not every lawyer that you hire prior to the State making its filing decision will reach out to them, conduct initial investigation and fight for you in an attempt to get the State to not file charges or to file reduced charges.  Getting the State to file reduced charges may not seem like an outright victory, but its effects can be extremely valuable because oftentimes where you start can determine and affect where you will finish.

The saddest thing I see day in and day out in criminal court is people that show up to arraignment without a lawyer and just take pleas to close their case without understanding what consequences the plea will have, without analyzing the evidence that the State has against them and if they can even prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  This is extremely common in misdemeanor cases.  While it may seem that you’re good to go and this will all be behind you, I cannot begin to tell you how many people seek us out because a plea they took so many years ago is now preventing them from becoming a U.S. Citizen, getting a job, loan or professional license.

If you’re charged with a felony and subscribe to this method of thinking, you must really like gambling with your life.  While you will be assigned a public defender at arraignment and not have to go it alone, you are missing out on the chance of having a private criminal defense lawyer reach out to the State before arraignment in an attempt to not have charges filed. In addition to this, chances are that a thorough criminal defense attorney will have reviewed some of the evidence, spoken with the State and will be able to advise you as to whether a plea offered at arraignment is worth considering.

A criminal charge can affect everything you try to do in life moving forward.  It is extremely important to enlist the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney that knows the players, the process and focuses primarily on criminal defense in Miami. 

If you or someone you love has been arrested in Miami, don’t delay.  You don’t have time to waste!  Call our office, (305) 707-7345, to schedule your 4-Point Case Evaluation and Strategy Session.  

Our Guarantee to You:

We guarantee to have you in and out of the office in less than 60 minutes. 

We guarantee this will be different than what most other lawyers offer when they say “Free Consultation.”  

We guarantee that we will actually discuss your case in detail rather than try to scare you while we sell our services and brag about ourselves.

Do You Find Yourself In Need Of A Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you've recently found yourself in need of an experienced criminal defense attorney in Miami you should contact me as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact me online or to call my Coral Gables office directly at 305.707.7345. You can also request my free book "The Ultimate Guide To Fighting Criminal Charges In Florida", a detailed download discussing the myths, rumors and hearsay often associated with criminal charges, what to expect from your criminal court proceedings and important steps you must take to battle your charges.

Related Links: Miami, Florida Probation Violation Attorney Clearing Your Criminial Record In Miami Start To Finish. What You Need To Know In A Miami Criminal Case

 

If you are driving with a Business Purposes Only license, you likely already have some problems on your hands.  The last thing you want to do is complicate that by being caught driving for a purpose that is not allowed by your restriction.  If you are stopped and the officer believes you are driving for a purpose that is not covered by your restriction, they can issue a Uniform Traffic Citation for a violation of section 322.16(5) of the Florida Statutes.  They can also physically arrest you and take you to jail as this violation is a second-degree misdemeanor. 

Any time you are charged with a second-degree misdemeanor you are facing up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.  You can also be sentenced to six months’ probation.  If this happens to you, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can take your hardship license away or add time to the revocation or suspension period in addition to adding restrictions. 

If your driving privileges were suspended because of a DUI arrest, you are jeopardizing your future and risking a lot of further and possibly unnecessary consequences.  If you have been admitted to the Back on Track Program a new-law violation can result in being bounced out from the program.  If your DUI case is still open in criminal court (whether you are in Back on Track or still fighting your charge), it can further complicate things as the State Attorney’s Office is extremely strict when it comes to driving on a suspended license or a hardship license as a result of a DUI revocation.  The standard offer to resolve your case will likely be 10 days in jail and a plea to DUI.  Remember, a DUI conviction can never be erased from your record.  It will follow you for life.   Lastly, if you are currently on probation or serving your DUI sentence, this will be considered a new-law violation as well as a violation of probation. 

Do You Need A Miami DUI Defense Laywer?

If you find yourself charged with DUI 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 "A Six Pack Of Questions That Can Cause A Hangover After A DUI Arrest". This free download provides valuable information and answers to questions about DUI charges that can give you the best chance at winning your case.

Related Links: What Must Be Proven To Convict Me Of DU? Accused Of Out Of State DUI? Anatomy Of A DUI Case

 

When you are issued a “Business Purposes Only” permit, you are allowed to drive for any purpose necessary to “maintain livelihood.” This type of license operates under Restriction C.  The restriction is limited to driving:

• To and from work
• School or educational purposes
• Necessary on-the-job driving
• To go to church, or
• To see a doctor or medical reasons.

When you are driving with a Business Purposes Only license, it is important to keep driving to a minimum and ONLY for the purposes outlined above and in section 322.271 of the Florida Statutes.  If there was ever a time to err on the side of caution, this is it.  Drive only when absolutely necessary.  Meaning if you can have someone take you to church or to the doctor, do it.  If you can car pool when driving to school, take advantage of it.  If you can use public transportation or it’s feasible to take Uber or Lyft to work, I would definitely consider it.  I always advise my clients to do this and if you happen to work at a job that requires you are present at off-hours such as a server, bartender, nurse, security guard, I always recommend that you have your work schedule and paystubs handy so that you can dispel any suspicions should you be stopped.

Just because you are driving for a valid purpose under your restricted license does not mean that the police officer that stopped you will agree.  It’s definitely better to be safe than sorry when driving with a hardship license.   The consequences are if you are caught driving with a suspended license are severe.

Do You Need A Miami DUI Defense Laywer?

If you find yourself charged with DUI 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 "A Six Pack Of Questions That Can Cause A Hangover After A DUI Arrest". This free download provides valuable information and answers to questions about DUI charges that can give you the best chance at winning your case.

Related Links: What Must Be Proven To Convict Me Of DU? Accused Of Out Of State DUI? Anatomy Of A DUI Case

 

Living in Miami it can seem like all is lost after your license is suspended, revoked or canceled.  However, you may still qualify for a restricted license that allows driving for certain purposes.  You need to be aware that no hardship restriction can be added to a Commercial Driver License (CDL). 

Therefore, anyone who seeks a hardship reinstatement of their driver’s license, must obtain a Class E license.  The Class E license can include one of two restrictions: C Restriction or D Restriction.

Restriction C is known as a “Business Purposes Only” license which allows you to drive for the limited purpose that is “necessary to maintain livelihood, including driving to and from work, necessary on-the-job driving, driving for educational purposes, and driving for church and medical purposes.”  See Florida Statutes, § 322.271(1)(c).

Restriction D is known as “Employment Purposes Only” and that a driving privilege that is limited to driving to and from work or any necessary on-the-job driving.

Violating any of the above restrictions results in a Misdemeanor of the Second Degree and you will lose your driving privilege for the rest of the suspension/revocation period. 

Do You Need A Miami DUI Defense Laywer?

If you find yourself charged with DUI 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 "A Six Pack Of Questions That Can Cause A Hangover After A DUI Arrest". This free download provides valuable information and answers to questions about DUI charges that can give you the best chance at winning your case.

Related Links: What Must Be Proven To Convict Me Of DU? Accused Of Out Of State DUI? Anatomy Of A DUI Case

 

Most personal injury or car accident lawyers throughout Miami, Broward and South Florida charge 33%-40% of the recovery they obtain for you.  This is known as a contingency fee because it depends on the value of your settlement or jury award.  For example, if we obtain a settlement of $100,000 for you, our fee would be $33,000 if no lawsuit is filed, or $40,000 if a lawsuit was required.  However, you would not pay us anything(!) until your case has been resolved. 

Plus, I have an unwritten rule at my firm that says: our fee will not exceed your recovery.  I don’t care what the contract says we are entitled to, I will reduce our fees so that you net more than we do.  You’re the one that got hurt, and we were privileged to represent you.  While clients need us to fight for them, we need you too.  And I realize who comes first. 

If a personal injury attorney wants to charge you a “retainer fee” or bill you “hourly,” I’d look for new counsel.  Remember, not all Florida injury lawyers have the same qualifications and track record.  Just because an attorney charges only 25% (or less) doesn’t mean that is the better choice.  Assume that lawyer is only able to get you $50,000, they are not as valuable as the lawyer that charges 33% but gets you $100,000.    

Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident

Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.

Related Links: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge In Miami, Florida? Should I Hire A Lawyer For My Car Accident Case In Florida? Do I Need A Lawyer To Handle My Personal Injury Claim

 

I realize that after having your world turned upside down as a result of a car accident or injury case, the last thing you want to do after being hurt is pay a retainer fee.  Your focus is on getting better, getting back to work and regaining your health.  Most lawyers who handle accident and injury cases do not charge a retainer fee.  Some, however, will expect you do come up with a deposit for costs up front.  I am not one of those lawyers.

If an attorney in Miami tries to charge you anything up front or do your accident case for anything other than a contingency fee, you may want to consider speaking with someone else.  If I believe in your case enough to take it on, I will be willing to accept a fee once we have successfully settled or won your case that is “contingent” with the compensation that you obtain. 

So you are aware, personal injury lawyers generally charge a contingency fee of 33%-40% at the end of the case.  We don’t charge hourly or retainer fees. 

Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident

Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.

Related Links: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge In Miami, Florida? Should I Hire A Lawyer For My Car Accident Case In Florida? Do I Need A Lawyer To Handle My Personal Injury Claim

 

Like so many legal questions about car accidents, the answer is: it depends.  If your injuries are minor, you only had 1-2 visits to the doctor you probably don’t need to and shouldn’t hire a lawyer.  If the damage to your car is being paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance and you did not require medical treatment you need to realize two things: 1). You are very lucky and 2). I doubt an attorney could do much better than you can do on your own. 

However, if your medical bills are greater than $2,500, you missed time from work or are still experiencing pain and physical problems a week or two after your accident, I encourage to at least speak with us.  If the insurance company for the at-fault driver is giving you a tough time or the runaround when it comes to accepting liability (fault), we may be able to help.  Most lawyers offer free consultations so you can have your questions answered. 

Remember, under Florida’s PIP law, you must be seen by a doctor within 14 days and ultimately obtain an Emergency Medical Condition (EMC) in order to receive your full PIP benefits.  That’s why it is always best to at least get checked out immediately after your accident to make sure you are covered and there are no serious problems. 

If you want to speak with a car accident attorney serving Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, Palm Beach and Collier County, call me at (305) 707-7345.  Even if you don’t hire us, we can help provide you with valuable information in the form of free books and other materials.

Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident

Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.

Related Links: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge In Miami, Florida? Should I Hire A Lawyer For My Car Accident Case In Florida? Do I Need A Lawyer To Handle My Personal Injury Claim

 

One of the most common and troubling injuries after a car accident is a herniated disc in the lumbar region of the spine/back.  The lumbar region is in the lower part of the back and is a serious injury because this part of the back controls a lot of what we do in our everyday lives.  Sitting, standing and bending are all affected by herniation to the lumbar spine.

If you have suffered a herniation to the lumbar spine after a car wreck, you should take this injury seriously and it is not something you can ignore.  People often make the mistake of assuming that this will simply go away and take care of itself.  That is false and it will not improve and ultimately go away or become manageable without proper treatment.  Receiving treatment is very important following an accident especially if you are diagnosed with herniated disc(s) in the lumbar spine.  When you do go in for treatment, be sure to communicate all of your symptoms with your doctor.  Doing so will be very important should you decide to file a claim. 

Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident

Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.

Related Links: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge In Miami, Florida? Should I Hire A Lawyer For My Car Accident Case In Florida? Do I Need A Lawyer To Handle My Personal Injury Claim

 

1. Get Proper Medical Treatment: Contrary to popular belief and catchy jingles you may hear on the radio, you do not have to call an attorney right away after a car accident in Florida.  The most important you can do is get proper medical treatment.  It is a mistake to put off medical treatment simply because you are worried about the value of your car accident case.  Quick medical care is just as important for your car accident claim or lawsuit as it is to your health and wellbeing.  By failing to get proper treatment and care, you could be contributing to your injuries.  This will reduce the amount of money that you can recover from whoever really caused your pain.

2. Be Honest With Your Doctor: Do not lie or withhold information from your doctor.  Many people who are seriously injured in an accident fail to tell their doctors everything.  Make sure you are communicating all of your complaints to your doctor.  People do this for many reasons.  Mostly because they think the pain will fade or the focus on the broken bones and forget to mention the smaller stuff because it is, well, smaller or they think it’s not related to the accident because it didn’t appear until a few days later.  All of this can hurt your case down the road.  Tell your doctors everything.

3. Document Everything: Gather as much evidence as possible immediately following an accident.  That includes taking pictures, obtaining reports, witness names, etc.  Also, keep track of all medical treatments, hospital and/or doctor’s visits and procedures you received after your injury.  Keep a journal and make a file with dates.

 

Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident

Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.

Related Links: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge In Miami, Florida? Should I Hire A Lawyer For My Car Accident Case In Florida? Do I Need A Lawyer To Handle My Personal Injury Claim

 

You definitely do not need an attorney for every small injury case.  In fact, our office does not even accept cases where there’s little or no property damage or the injuries are minor.  Why not?  In small cases, the attorney’s fee and costs might leave little or nothing for you after your medical bills are paid, and that is not fair to you.  While you may not need a lawyer to represent you in a small injury case, you should at least educate yourself and speak with a lawyer.  Remember most lawyer’s initial consultations are free.  Even if you do not have a case (sometimes this is the best advice you can get), you should meet with a lawyer before you sign any forms or speak with the insurance adjuster.

Have You Been Involved In A Miami Area Accident

Have you been hurt in an accident in Miami? If so, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact me online or call my Miami office directly at 305.707.7345.

Related Links: How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge In Miami, Florida? Should I Hire A Lawyer For My Car Accident Case In Florida? Do I Need A Lawyer To Handle My Personal Injury Claim