Gun Charges Defense Lawyer in Lakeland — Fighting to Protect the Rights of Our Clients

Any criminal charges can lead to serious repercussions in Florida. However, incidents involving firearms have particularly serious penalties. Whether a person is legally prohibited from owning a gun or accused of using a firearm in the commission of a crime, prosecutors will typically work hard for a maximum penalty. If you’re facing allegations that could result in a substantial penalty, it’s important to speak with a gun charges defense lawyer in Lakeland.

At DeMichael Law, our legal practice strives to secure favorable outcomes for each of our clients. There are various criminal laws involving firearms in our state, and some are considered more serious than others. However, a conviction for any of these offenses can typically lead to extreme fines and long prison sentences and completely derail your life. Don’t let this happen to you.

Contact a Lakeland gun crimes lawyer today.

What Are Gun Crimes in Florida?

In the past few years, it seems as if gun laws across the country have been in flux. Just recently, Florida joined 25 other states in allowing the permitless carry of firearms. However, these expansions of carry rights did nothing to change most of the potential gun charges a person could face in the state. As evidenced by the list below, constitutional carry laws will not have an effect on many of the most serious allegations:

Possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime
Publicly discharging a firearm
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Possession of a firearm on school property
Aggravated assault with a firearm
Transfer or sale of firearms to prohibited individuals
Possession of an unregistered firearm
Improper exhibition of a firearm
Possession of a firearm when under domestic violence injunction

Florida has recently been viewed as a safe haven for gun owners. However, the sheer number of potential gun charges shows that authorities still take firearm crimes seriously. If you’re facing these or any other allegations, it’s important for you to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney. No matter what the prosecutor tells you, there are very often ways to avoid the most serious penalties.

Contact our gun charges defense lawyer in Lakeland to learn more.

Are There Potential Defenses for Gun Charges in Florida?

Your ability to secure a beneficial plea deal or beat the charges against you will depend upon your defense strategy. This is why you should have an experienced legal professional on your side. They can review your case and help you decide the best approach. However, it’s important to remember that strategies can vary based on the charges against you. A defense that could work in one situation may be irrelevant to another.

However, there are some common gun charge defenses that can be used in most situations. These include:

Self-defense:

Showing that a person’s actions were necessary for self-defense or the defense of others is a common defense tactic.

Constitutional issues:

Unlawful search and seizure, violations of Miranda rights, and other constitutional violations could hurt the state’s case.

Lack of intent/knowledge:

It’s typically necessary for prosecutors to prove that a person had actual criminal intent to commit a crime. For instance, perhaps you did not know there was an illegal firearm in a vehicle that you borrowed.

Improper procedures:

Failures in evidentiary standards or police procedures could affect your ability to have a fair trial.

Duress or necessity:

In some instances, it may be possible to argue that a person only engaged in an act due to an emergency or under duress.

Clearly, there’s ample opportunity to avoid a conviction or the worst potential penalties. However, simple knowledge of these defense strategies is not enough to help you overcome the charges against you. It’s crucial that you understand which of these approaches may apply to your case — along with the elements necessary to support your argument. An experienced attorney can help in this endeavor.

What Should You Do if Charged With a Gun Crime in Florida?

The many potential defenses against firearms charges show that not all hope is lost. There’s always a chance that charges could be reduced or dropped entirely. And if this isn’t possible, an experienced attorney could negotiate a fair plea deal or argue your innocence at trial. However, it’s possible for a person to derail their chances at exoneration through certain acts after arrest. The biggest mistake people make is speaking to the police.

Even if officers tell you that you’re not under arrest and that they “just want to clear things up,” you should remain silent until speaking with an attorney. The police are not on your side in these situations. They might even tell you “We can all go home once this is cleared up,” but if you submit to interrogation without legal representation, there’s a good chance that you won’t be going home that day.

Of course, many people are past the point of interrogation. If you’ve already been arrested and charged, it remains the case that you should only speak with your Lakeland gun charges defense attorney. It’s very possible that the prosecutor will offer you a plea deal. They may frame this as “the best you’re going to get” and even threaten you with more serious charges. Don’t fall for these tactics. Remain silent, agree to nothing, and contact a lawyer.

Penalties For Gun Crimes in Florida

Gun charges in Florida carry serious penalties, which can have lasting impacts on your future. If convicted of a gun crime, you could face fines, imprisonment, or a permanent criminal record. These consequences can affect your employment opportunities, housing options, and even your right to possess firearms in the future. Below are some of the potential penalties for gun-related offenses in Florida:

Felony conviction: Many gun crimes are classified as felonies, leading to long-term imprisonment and heavy fines.
Mandatory minimum sentences: Florida law enforces strict minimum sentencing for certain gun crimes, meaning you could face years in prison without the possibility of parole.
Loss of civil rights: A conviction can result in losing key civil rights, including the right to vote and own firearms.
Impact on immigration status: For non-citizens, gun charges can lead to deportation or affect your ability to gain lawful status in the U.S.

If you’re facing gun charges, working with a criminal defense attorney or gun charges defense lawyer in Lakeland is crucial to protecting your future.

Contact a Gun Charges Defense Lawyer in Lakeland Today

If you’re facing firearms charges in Florida, your freedom could literally be at stake. Perhaps you were wrongly accused, or maybe you were merely engaged in legally protected actions. Then again, maybe inappropriate events did unfold — but prosecutors don’t understand the mitigating circumstances. It could even be the case that your constitutional rights were violated during an arrest. Regardless of the circumstances, a criminal defense lawyer may be able to help.

At DeMichael Law, our clients know that they’re getting dedicated and experienced legal representation. We’ve seen what can happen when good people face allegations of firearm crimes. If this happens to you, don’t throw yourself at the mercy of the prosecutor. In most cases, they will have none.