St. Augustine Criminal Defense Lawyers
Criminal Defense Attorneys serving Florida
If you have been arrested, the best thing to do is to immediately contact a criminal law attorney near you. The sooner an attorney can become involved in your case, the better chance they have of finding ways to defend your innocence and advocate for a favorable outcome. At Canan Law, our St. Augustine criminal defense lawyers have over60 years of combined experience defending individuals in St. Augustine, St. Johns County, and Northeast Florida facing a wide
The Defense Process in Florida
Criminal law does not concern itself with private disputes between individuals, but rather to offenses against the public order as defined by the laws of the state. An individual who commits an alleged crime is arrested and then faces a formal criminal charge if the facts are sufficient enough to charge him or her with a crime.
Individuals accused of a crime are called defendants, and they are represented by criminal defense attorneys. A prosecutor, who represents the people or the “state”, pursues the charges against the defendant.
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.
What Are Your Rights?
Defendants in a criminal law case have certain rights that are guaranteed to them in the U.S. Constitution under the Sixth Amendment and the Florida state laws. These include but are not limited to:
- The right to an attorney;
- The right against self-incrimination;
- The right to confront witnesses;
- The right against unreasonable searches and seizures; and
- The right to a speedy trial.
Benefits of Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer
A St. Augustine criminal defense lawyer is essential for protecting these rights as well as providing experienced legal counsel throughout every stage of your case. An experienced criminal attorney will carefully review all evidence gathered by the prosecution, identify weaknesses and explore possible defenses on your behalf while also ensuring that your constitutional rights are upheld.
A St. Augustine criminal defense lawyer can provide experienced legal counsel, explain all of your options, and help protect your rights. Don’t wait any longer; contact a criminal justice defense lawyer today and get the help you need in order to protect your rights.
Getting an Experienced Attorney on Your Side
The procedures involving criminal law are complicated. To mitigate the consequences you could face, hiring an experienced St. Augustine criminal defense attorney is very important.
Our law firm handles a variety of both misdemeanors and felonies, including but not limited to:
- DUI arrests and accidents
- Leaving the scene of a crash
- DUI serious bodily injury or DUI manslaughter charges
- Drug offenses, including trafficking, sale, and possession
- Sex offenses as misdemeanors or felony charges
- Felony or misdemeanor assault and battery
- Juvenile or college crimes
- Kidnapping or homicide
- All federal crimes
- Burglary and car theft
- Traffic offenses, including license suspensions
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 in St. Augustine 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 a criminal defense attorney in St. Augustine 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 us at (904) 849-2266 or contact us via our online form 24/7. We offer free consultations and affordable, flexible fee schedules for residents in St. Johns County and Northeast Florida.
Our goal is to treat you like family, and achieve the best results possible for each and every case we undertake.
5 Steps to Take if You Are Arrested
You may be wondering if you will go to jail or how much hiring an attorney will cost. At Canan Law, experienced legal help can be more affordable than you think. It can be a huge help to consult with us before you are arrested, such as when the police begin investigating you or speaking to your friends and family.
If the arrest comes as a surprise, follow these steps to ease the process:
- Stay silent. You do not need to answer police questions or incriminate yourself. Trying to explain the situation can backfire quickly. Follow police commands immediately, such as walk, sit, or stand. Do not resist arrest, or it may hinder your case.
- Ask for your lawyer immediately. Continue asking until granted this right. This is the only thing you should say to the police.
- If you are arrested, contact a bail bondsman or a friend to help get you out.
- Gather evidence for your case. You will need to identify witnesses and any relevant evidence to give to your attorney. This will help form their defense for the case.
- Be honest with your lawyer. Anything you say is kept confidential from everyone else, including the police. A lawyer does not use what you say against you.
Call Our Office 24/7: (904) 849-2266
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.
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Andrew came highly recommended by a friend who is a lawyer. In the courtroom, he is incredibly prepared. In giving advice, he steers his clients down the right road. I feel like was looking out for my best interest.- Chip S.
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Divorce is never an easy thing to go through, but Canan Law made the whole thing less difficult. Julie was there for me from the beginning to the end of the divorce process. I would recommend Canan Law to anyone seeking legal services.- Nicole S.
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Everyone at Canan Law was friendly and hospitable. Attorney John Westfield was very professional. He listened very well and always had our best interests in mind. Most importantly, he was prepared in court.- Markell F.
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Their entire team was very professional and knowledgeable about my specific case. They took time to explain in detail what they were doing every step of the way. I was EXTREMELY satisfied with the end result.- Hamid B.
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A wealth of talent at this firm. Responsive and direct; they valued my time and money. My outcome was exactly what I expected despite the many changes that I presented them.- Steve K.
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Dan Hilbert is probably the best lawyer in Florida hands down. Hire him without a second thought as soon as you are in need of representation.- Brian S.
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Andrew Morgan and Vicky Cobb have been my advocate with help and council tirelessly. I totally endorse this attorney and law firm.- Danielle F.
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I have always felt like Andrew had my best interest at heart and was working hard to achieve a good outcome. But what has impressed me the most is how much attorneys at other firms respect him.- Wade N.