Criminal Defense — An Overview
The Defense Process
The criminal law process involves a strict set of rules and procedures both the defense attorney and prosecutor must follow to ensure a fair trial for the accused. If the case goes to trial, the prosecutor has the burden to prove to either a judge or jury of peers that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
A conviction or “guilty verdict” results if the prosecution proves the crime was committed. A defendant will be “acquitted” if a jury or judge does not believe the facts are sufficient enough to convict the person on trial beyond a reasonable doubt.
Many cases in the criminal justice system resolve by way of plea agreement between the prosecutor and the defense. Negotiating plea deals is a critical skill a criminal defense attorney must possess in addition to strong legal knowledge and exemplary trial skills.
Getting An Experienced Attorney On Your Side
The procedures involving criminal law are complicated. To mitigate the consequences you could face, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney is very important.
At Canan Law, our attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience defending individuals in St. Augustine, St. Johns County and Northeast Florida facing a wide variety of both misdemeanors and felonies, including but not limited to:
- DUI arrests and accidents
- DUI serious bodily injury or DUI manslaughter charges
- Leaving the scene of a crash
- Drug offenses, including trafficking, sale and possession
- Sex offenses as misdemeanors or felony charges
- Felony or misdemeanor assault and battery
- Juvenile or college crimes
- Traffic offenses, including license suspensions
- Kidnapping or homicide
- All federal crimes
- Burglary and car theft
We also represent individuals during arraignment or bond hearings. A bond hearing is where those arrested are brought before the court to be informed of the charges for arrest and to determine eligibility for release on bond. Arraignment is where those arrested are next brought before the court upon formal charges to enter their plea.
Board-Certified In Criminal Defense
Our lawyer, Daniel Hilbert, is a board-certified criminal defense attorney by The Florida Bar. Mr. Hilbert and several of our other criminal defense attorneys are all former state prosecutors who have the trial experience and skills necessary to defend criminal allegations of all types.
If you have been arrested or need an attorney to defend against your felony or misdemeanor offense or traffic citation, contact our team to learn about what we have done for clients in similar situations and how we can help protect your rights now and in the future.
Experienced Advocacy You Need
No matter how minor the charge, you should be represented by knowledgeable, competent counsel, who can work through the criminal justice system, give you zealous representation and minimize the impact of the proceedings on your life.
Some cases may result in imprisonment, house arrest or probation. Many situations affect an individual’s life long after the person has paid a fine or served time in jail or prison, such as loss of employment or housing.
We will fight for you in court, or if it is the right solution, we will work to settle the case. Our team always uses a two-tiered approach where we analyze what is best for you in order to achieve your goals.
Call Our Office 24/7: 904-824-9402
The police do not work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so neither do we. If you have been arrested or need an attorney to defend against your criminal or traffic offense, contact our team to learn about what we have done for clients in similar situations and how we can help protect your rights now and in the future. We offer free consultations for your criminal law case.