Criminal Defense in Fort Myers, FL

What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Because a criminal conviction can have serious consequences, you want an experienced Fort Myers, Florida attorney on your side. These attorneys research the facts of your case so you can have peace of mind. By performing their own investigation, criminal defense attorneys put you in a better position to negotiate a deal with the prosecutors, possibly resulting in reduced charges, a lower bail amount, less sentencing time, and even possibly dismissed charges. Put simply, hiring a defense lawyer in Fort Myers, FL is the most effective way to protect your rights.

Unfortunately, the Florida criminal process more than likely leads to costly fines, jail time, and possible incarceration for those who do not have competent legal counsel. As jails become increasingly overcrowded, criminal defense attorneys work with prosecutors to reduce the time that you may spend in jail. They do this by formulating a plea, reviewing the procedure of the search and seizure, questioning witnesses, gathering evidence, assessing the potential sentence, and investigating the prosecutor’s case. Furthermore, your Fort Myers criminal defense lawyer helps you understand the complex criminal justice system.

Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Fort Myers, Florida

Hiring a criminal defense lawyer gives you access to a Fort Myers professional who defends you aggressively. This means you have someone standing beside you when you face the judge. If you are looking to hire a compassionate and committed criminal defense lawyer in Fort Myers, FL who is ready to help represent you in court, we have lawyers that are standing by in all areas of law throughout multiple locations in the United States. Get in contact with us today.

What is the Difference Between Parole and Probation?

If you are facing criminal charges in Fort Myers you may have an option for either parole or probation. While their names are similar, these two concepts are vastly different. Your criminal defense attorney can help you understand these alternatives to incarceration.

Probation

Probation is typically an alternative to jail or prison. There are times when a judge may order a defendant to serve probation. If you are on probation, you will be under a certain set of guidelines. Furthermore, there will also likely be strict supervision rules.

Because of this, Florida laws are in place to force you to submit to warrantless searches without any probable cause.

When granted probation, a judge often allows you to demonstrate a commitment to rehabilitation instead of serving a prison sentence. However, securing probation is rarely guaranteed without a strong legal defense. To increase your chances of avoiding incarceration, it’s crucial to seek expert legal advice right away.

While probation spares you from jail, it typically comes with strict conditions similar to those imposed during incarceration. These may include attending rehabilitation programs, adhering to a curfew, and undergoing regular drug testing. Compliance with these terms is essential to maintaining your probation status and avoiding further penalties.

In Fort Myers, Florida you may be also required to pay restitution, court costs, a fine and any other fees. The length of time you are on probation may drastically range, depending on the initial crime and your previous history.  

Florida gives the court a lot of discretion to determine probation length for felonies. Specifically, Florida Statute stipulates that defendants guilty of felonies can be placed on probation for up to 2 years, unless otherwise specified by the court. The severity of the crime and your criminal history factor into the court’s decision.

Probation Revoked

If you do not follow the precise instructions a judge gives you, the judge may revoke your probation. This typically results in incarceration. Furthermore, depending on the nature of your violation, you may receive an additional sentence beyond your initial one.

If the 20th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida places you on probation in Fort Myers, you will report to a probation officer with the Florida Office of Community Corrections. Specifically, you will typically have regular meetings with your probation officer at the Fort Myers Circuit Office. Other conditions of probation can include performing community service and installing an Ignition Interlock Device on your vehicle. If your probation officer believes that you have violated probation, the court may issue a warrant for your arrest. You can be detained before your probation hearing, but you do have the right to counsel at the hearing. It is important to note that the court could fully revoke your probation and order you to serve your original sentence. Having a qualified Fort Myers attorney on your side will help ensure the best possible outcome of your hearing.

Typically, a probation officer manages your probation. This officer monitors your progress and compliance. He or she also files periodic reports with the court. Accordingly, if you do not comply with the terms of your probation, the judge is apt to know. Then he or she may then revoke your probation and send you to jail. A Fort Myers, Florida criminal defense attorney can help you with probation violations.

Parole

Instead of interacting with a probation officer, parole requires you to report to a parole officer. A parole officer will outline any expectations you are to meet.  In addition to the rules of your parole. He or she also monitors your progress and reports back to the court and the parole board.

Parole is a term to refers to the period that comes after a release from incarceration. Just as with probation, there are usually many conditions and safeguards that you must follow during your parole. 

Currently in Florida, only inmates who committed crimes before 1983 are eligible for parole, with several exceptions. However, if you are released on parole in Fort Myers, your parole will be administered by the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Specifically, you will typically report to a parole officer at the Region 5, Arcadia Field Office, which serves Lee County. Conditions of parole can include regular meetings with your parole officer and submitting to random home or property inspections. In addition, you typically must maintain employment and pay restitution. If you violate your parole, the Commission can revoke parole and return you to prison. Having a qualified Fort Myers attorney on your side can help minimize your incarceration time.

If you violate the terms of your parole, the parole board may require you to finish the remaining time of your sentence. Certain violations, though, may result in additional charges and a longer incarceration time resulting in the need for a Fort Myers, FL criminal defense attorney.

Work With an Experienced Local Fort Myers, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer

A Fort Myers criminal defense attorney works with the prosecuting attorney to determine a beneficial outcome in your criminal case. You may not want to go through the criminal justice process alone. By working together to negotiate an affordable bond or a later plea deal, an experienced Fort Myers, FL criminal defense lawyer uses all available resources and relationships with prosecutors to negotiate the best possible outcome for your criminal defense case. He or she may also help you seek a dismissal of your criminal complaint.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in any state, contact our team to learn how we can connect you with a reputable criminal defense attorney near you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Florida state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.

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