Frequently Asked
Legal Questions

Exercise your right to remain silent. Tell officers: "I am invoking my right to remain silent and my right to an attorney." Then stop speaking. Call an attorney — or have someone call one for you — as soon as possible. Do not answer questions, explain yourself, or try to talk your way out of the situation. Anything you say can and will be used against you, even if it seems innocent at the time.

Misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in county jail (second-degree: up to 60 days; first-degree: up to 365 days). Felonies carry state prison sentences: third-degree felonies up to 5 years, second-degree up to 15 years, and first-degree felonies up to 30 years or life. Felony convictions also carry lasting collateral consequences including loss of voting rights, firearm rights, and employment opportunities.

Absolutely yes. Many defendants assume their case is straightforward, only to later discover that a plea they accepted was harsher than necessary, that their charge could have been reduced, or that they had defenses they were unaware of. A guilty plea carries permanent consequences. Before pleading to anything — even a misdemeanor — you should understand all available options from an experienced criminal defense attorney.

It depends on the charges and county. Simple misdemeanors may resolve in 2–3 months. Felony cases typically take 6–18 months from arrest to resolution, and complex multi-count or federal cases can take longer. Throughout the process, your attorney is actively working even when it may not appear that way from the outside.

Florida allows expungement or sealing of criminal records under limited conditions. Generally, you may be eligible if charges were dropped or you were acquitted, if you successfully completed a diversion program, or if you have never previously been convicted or had a record sealed or expunged. Convictions are typically not eligible. The process requires FDLE application, a background check, and a court order. We can assess your eligibility and handle the process.

A withhold of adjudication means the judge does not formally enter a conviction even though you pled guilty or no contest. This can be enormously important — it preserves your ability to lawfully answer "no" to questions about convictions on job applications, and may preserve eligibility for record sealing or expungement. Florida judges have discretion to withhold adjudication in many cases. This is one reason having experienced defense counsel matters even in apparently minor cases.

Personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront and owe no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, which we fully disclose and explain during your free consultation. You will never receive a bill from us regardless of the outcome.

Florida's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury (as of March 2023 legislative changes). For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also two years from the date of death. Waiting too long to consult an attorney is one of the most common and costly mistakes injury victims make — evidence disappears, witnesses become unavailable, and you may permanently lose your right to compensation.

Florida injury victims can recover economic damages (medical bills, future medical costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium). In cases involving intentional misconduct or gross negligence, punitive damages may also be available. We evaluate every element of your damages to pursue maximum recovery.

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule (as of 2023): if you are found more than 50% at fault for your accident, you cannot recover damages. If you are found 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies routinely try to assign more fault to injured parties to minimize payouts — having an attorney who investigates thoroughly and presents your case effectively is essential to protecting your full recovery.

Florida has a mandatory 20-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized. Uncontested divorces (where both parties agree on all issues) can sometimes be completed in 3–6 months. Contested divorces involving property division, custody disputes, or support disagreements typically take 6–18 months, and complex high-asset divorces may take longer. The more disputes that exist, the longer the process.

Florida uses the legal standard of "the best interests of the child" to determine parental responsibility (legal custody) and time-sharing (physical custody). Courts consider many factors including each parent's relationship with the child, stability of the home environment, willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent, and the child's own preferences (with age-appropriate weight). Florida strongly favors shared parental responsibility and maximizing contact with both parents where appropriate.

Yes — Florida allows modification of child support and custody orders when there has been a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances since the last order. Common triggering events include a significant change in income, relocation, a child's changed needs, or a parent's significant life change. Modification requires a court proceeding, and the party seeking modification bears the burden of proving the change in circumstances.

Florida is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital property (assets and debts acquired during the marriage) is divided fairly — which usually means equally unless specific circumstances justify an unequal distribution. Separate property (assets owned before marriage, or received as gifts or inheritance) is generally not subject to division. Determining which assets are marital versus separate, and their accurate valuation, are critical steps in property division where an experienced attorney makes a significant difference.

Our free consultation is a genuine case review. We listen to the facts, explain your legal options, discuss realistic outcomes based on our experience with similar cases in your county, and give you an honest assessment. There is no obligation to hire us afterward, and everything discussed is covered by attorney-client confidentiality even before a formal engagement.

Yes. We regularly represent clients in Martin County (Stuart courthouse), St. Lucie County (Fort Pierce courthouse), Indian River County (Vero Beach courthouse), Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach courthouse), and Okeechobee County. Our attorneys know the judges and prosecutors in each jurisdiction — that local knowledge matters strategically.

Contact us anyway. We evaluate payment options on a case-by-case basis and can sometimes work out payment plans for clients facing financial hardship. For personal injury cases, there is no upfront cost at all — we front all case costs and recover them from the settlement or verdict. Don't let financial concerns prevent you from getting the legal help you need — call us and we'll find a way to work with your situation.