Meltzer & Bell, P.A.
Aggressive and Effective Criminal Defenses for FL Charges
Whether you receive an unexpected summons in your mailbox, or you feel the pinch of the handcuffs clicking shut behind you, facing criminal charges is incredibly serious. Every choice you make in the next upcoming weeks will have a profound impact on your future. It’s imperative you have an effective and efficient criminal defense strategy ready before you enter that courtroom. Without it, you could be sentenced to complete the statutory penalties of the crime you committed. A criminal conviction can result in a myriad of consequences, the most common being expensive fines and possible time in jail or prison. However, having a criminal record has ripple effects that go beyond incarceration and fines. Many who have prior criminal convictions on their background checks often have issues applying for a job, school, loan or housing. It can take years to apply to have your record sealed or expunged. Not to mention, you might not even be eligible to have your criminal record erased if you have certain charges. With so much at stake, it’s critical you choose an attorney with the right training and experience to help you received reduced or dismissed charges. Hiring a lawyer with an extensive background in criminal defense cases such as drug possession, driving under the influence (DUI), theft or assault will give you the edge you need to win your case. Don’t wait another moment to protect your future and gain legal representation today.
West Palm Beach Criminal & DUI Defense Lawyers in Florida
At Meltzer & Bell, P.A., we are equipped with a team of skilled attorneys who fight for the rights of our clients in the Palm Beach County area. Our criminal defense lawyers have effectively represented numerous clients accused of all types of crimes including sexual offenses, federal crimes, drug charges, assaultive offenses, driving under the influence, and more. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, our West Palm Beach DUI lawyers will aggressively fight to get the best possible outcome. We understand that facing a criminal charge can be extremely stressful and the judiciary process can be confusing. Let us guide you by utilizing our skills to implement a sturdy defense structure for your case. We will work our hardest to build the strongest case possible so you can preserve your given civil rights. Meltzer & Bell, P.A. has offices located in West Palm Beach, but we practice throughout the greater Palm Beach County area including Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and Wellington. Rest assured that the moment you hire us we will guarantee we are always available to you no matter the situation. You can call us at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days per week at (561) 557-8686 to set up your first consultation free. There’s also an online contact form where you can fill out and we will return your message by the end of the business day. Protect your liberties and future by contacting an experienced attorney at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. today.Knowledgeable Representation Every Step of the Way
For most, an arrest is an incredibly distressing event. Unfortunately, it’s the first in a series of proceedings you will be required to attend because of your criminal charges such as hearings, interviews, filings and piles of paperwork. Making a mistake could be the difference between being stuck in a jail cell and freedom. That is why the United States Constitution ensures every citizen has a right to legal counsel, so they are fully prepared to enter the courtroom. However, it’s important your legal representation has a strong focus in criminal defense. Having knowledgeable representation will give you the advantage needed to poke holes in the prosecution’s case and avoid a criminal conviction. Meltzer & Bell, P.A. can advise you of all your current and future legal options for your case. We assure our clients that they will never have to speak to a law enforcement officer without our guidance or one of our attorneys present. By doing this, we will prevent anything you say being used against you as evidence by the prosecutor. Let us do all the talking so you can avoid any type of self-incrimination. Meltzer & Bell, P.A. will handle all matters related to the case so you will never have to worry about jeopardizing by your words or actions. Our representation extends beyond criminal trials. Meltzer & Bell, P.A. also offers services for people who need to attend certain types of criminal-related hearings such as protective order hearings or administrative license revocation hearings. These are incredibly important because they can dictate your future in various ways such as if you need forfeit assets, attend driving school, keep a certain distance from a plaintiff, have your license suspended or other conditions. We can attend these for you and present your case with supporting evidence we’ve collected. With our skills, we can contest for your side in the hearing and help you achieve your desired result.Exhausting Every Defense Option for Your Case
In a criminal trial, it’s the prosecution’s burden to prove every element of their case beyond reasonable doubt. Despite what TV drama or crime movies may have you think, this is an incredibly heavy burden for the prosecution to carry. The defense is not required to prove to the jury that the defendant is innocent, but rather their purpose is to pick the prosecutions’ case and expose any reasonable doubt within it. The lawyers at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. have a strong background in jury trials and can utilize our skills to poke holes in the prosecutor’s case. Our attorneys utilize all type of defense options for our clients so they can avoid a criminal conviction. One of these is to suppress illegal searches and seizures. You have a right, under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, to decline any type of search without probable cause. Places where the defendant has a reasonable expectation of privacy such as the home require probable cause before the officer can search the area. If the court finds that law enforcement illegally conducted a search and seizure, then that evidence will be inadmissible. Filing motions to suppress evidence that was obtained illegally is simply one way our attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. can discredit the prosecution’s case. Officers must also have probable cause to conduct a traffic stop. Many people who are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) were arrested after being pulled over for a routine traffic stop. The officer must have a reason to do so that would fit the requirements for probable cause such as weaving, having a broken taillight or breaking any traffic rules. If a police officer pulled over a person without any underlying reason, then the court may determine the stop to be unlawful and suppress any associated evidence. Meltzer & Bell, P.A. attorneys can examine your DUI charges to see if your traffic stop was illegal. We can then utilize that evidence to weaken the prosecution’s case even further and raise your chances of dismissed charges. Often a person is charged with driving under the influence because they were asked to undergo chemical DUI testing or field sobriety tests. It’s important to understand that both types of tests have flaws that could lead to skewed results. Many field sobriety tests have little to none scientific backing and chemical DUI tests are commonly mishandled which leads to contaminated samples. Our attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. have an in-depth knowledge of the science behind both field sobriety testing and DUI chemical testing. With our research and assistance from expert witnesses, our attorneys can give reasons to the jury as to why your DUI test results were wrong. Questioning the scientific rigor of your DUI tests and presenting evidence to question their accuracy may cause the jury to doubt the prosecution’s evidence. In the end, this could be the reason your DUI charges are reduced or dismissed.