Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Attorney in Jacksonville, FL

Criminal defense lawyers are highly educated legal professionals who represent clients accused of committing crimes. The lawyer’s job is to assess the accusations and protect each client’s rights to ensure they receive a fair trial. Criminal defense lawyers may work for the government or private firms.

Some Jacksonville, FL criminal defense lawyers are public defenders who are appointed by the court to represent indigent defendants. Others, like Gates Law Firm, are hired by the accused person or that person’s family. They typically handle a wide range of cases, from misdemeanors to felonies. In addition, they may focus in a particular area of criminal defense, such as white-collar crime, drug offenses, or violent crimes. If you are accused of a crime, it’s important to connect with a Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer quickly to protect your rights.

Serving the Accused at Gates Law Firm

At Gates Law Firm, I provide experienced and aggressive criminal defense to those accused of all types of crimes. Our goal is to satisfy our clients and the justice system, whether that means getting the charges dismissed for the inaccurately accused, securing a not guilty verdict, or negotiating a favorable plea agreement. I am dedicated to this mission and ensuring fair trials. If you or someone in your network has been accused of a crime in Jacksonville, FL, contact Gates Law Firm for a consultation. I will carefully investigate your case in detail and advise you about the legal options available to give you a comprehensive understanding of what to expect.

What Are Common Types of Crimes in Florida?

The criminal justice system is complex, with many different types of crimes. Some of the most common are:

• Assault and/or battery: This is the unprovoked threat of using violence, while battery is the unconsented touching that does not necessarily require injury.
• Burglary: The act of breaking into another person’s home, business, or vehicle with the intent to commit a crime.
• Drug offenses: These offenses include possession, manufacturing, and sale or delivery of controlled substances.
• DUI/DWI: Driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated.
• Fraud: The act of deceiving someone for personal gain.
• Murder: The unlawful killing of another person with malice aforethought.
• Robbery: Taking another person’s property by force or threat of force.
• Sex crimes: These crimes include rape, sexual assault, and child molestation.
• Theft: Taking another person’s property without their permission.
• Violent crimes: These crimes involve anything where force or threat of force is used that inflicts major bodily harm.

What Are the Different Degrees of Crimes in Florida?

Depending on how serious the charge is, different degrees may be applied. The three most common are:

• Felonies: The most severe type of crime. In Florida, there are multiple degrees of felonies but all are punishable by imprisonment of more than a year in jail up to life imprisonment. Capital offenses can result in the death penalty.
• Misdemeanors: A misdemeanor is a less serious crime, punishable by imprisonment for up to sixty days if it is a second degree misdemeanor and less than a year if it is a first degree misdemeanor. Both degrees of misdemeanors typically will involve court costs and mandatory fines as well.
• Civil infractions: An infraction is the least serious type of crime; it is punishable by a fine.

Hiring Jacksonville criminal defense representation can help ensure you do not face more serious charges than necessary and that you receive a fair trial.

What Are Common Defenses to Crimes in Florida?

Depending on the specific facts and circumstances of your case, there may be several defenses available to you. Some of the most common defenses include:

• Alibi: An alibi is a defense that you were not at the scene of the crime. These types of defenses typically require witnesses to corroborate your whereabouts.
• Coercion: This is a defense that you only committed the crime because you were forced to do so by another person. For example, if you were threatened with violence if you did not commit the crime.
• Insanity: The insanity defense is a claim that you did not understand that what you were doing was wrong because you are suffering from a mental illness. This can include a wide range of mental illnesses, from schizophrenia to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Involuntary intoxication: This is a defense claim that you were not in control of your actions because you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Self-defense: This is a claim that you used force in order to protect yourself or someone else from harm; for example, if someone was attacking you and you fought back to defend yourself, it would be self-defense.
• Mistaken identity: This is a defense that you are not the person who committed the crime. This can often happen in cases where there are several people who look similar or where there is not a clear description of the perpetrator.

What Is the Prosecution’s Responsibility in a Criminal Case in Jacksonville, FL?

In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove its claims beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime. This is the highest standard of proof and means that there can be no doubt in the mind of a reasonable person that you are guilty.

If the prosecution cannot meet this standard, then you will be determined to be not guilty. Some ways that the prosecution might try to prove your guilt include:

• Witness testimony: This is often the most important piece of evidence in a criminal case. The prosecution will try to find witnesses who saw you commit the crime or who can identify you as the perpetrator.
• Physical evidence: Such evidence can include things like fingerprints, DNA, or blood.
• Digital evidence: This evidence can include videos, photos, or text messages that might seem to show you committed the crime.

Regardless of what the prosecution uses to try to prove your guilt, remember that you are presumed innocent unless you are proven guilty. This means the prosecution bears the responsibility of proving its case, and your attorney will work to show the prosecution does not meet its burden.

Contact Gates Law Firm Today

If you have been accused of a crime, contact a Jacksonville criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. At Gates Law Firm, I have experience representing clients in a wide range of criminal cases. I will work diligently to build a strong defense on your behalf and to ensure that you receive a fair trial. Contact me today to schedule a consultation.