Violent Crime and Felony Defense Lawyer
Charged with a violent felony? The State has to prove every element, and I make them do it. I build the self-defense and stand-your-ground case where the facts support it, file the motions to suppress, and try the case when that is what it takes. Free, confidential consultation.
Free consultation. No obligation.
Serious felony charges
Robbery, burglary, aggravated assault and battery, weapons charges, and the felony versions of drug and DUI offenses. The more serious the charge, the more the outcome depends on preparation done early: the motion to suppress, the witness nobody re-interviews, the forensic assumption nobody checks.
I spent a decade preparing cases that ran for years and turned on exactly that kind of work. I bring the same preparation to a criminal case, whatever the charge.
If you are facing a first-degree felony, including homicide or manslaughter, tell me what happened. I will tell you honestly whether I am the right lawyer for it, or whether you need someone who has tried that exact charge before.
Defense strategies for serious allegations
We develop self-defense and defense-of-others theories, evaluate stand-your-ground applicability, challenge identification, and expose inconsistencies in statements or forensic evidence. Where negotiations make sense, we pursue reductions to lesser-included offenses or diversion; when they don’t, we try the case. I briefed and argued a suppression issue before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, in United States v. Jones, No. 14-0071/AR.
Assault and battery under Florida law
Assault is a credible threat; battery is unwanted touching that causes harm. Aggravated offenses involve weapons or serious injury and carry far heavier penalties. We break down the elements, review evidence and witness statements, and identify weaknesses early, especially in cases arising from nightlife districts or domestic situations around Coral Gables, Brickell, and communities across South Florida.
Domestic violence charges
A domestic battery arrest is a criminal case. It is usually a misdemeanor, and it becomes a felony with serious injury, a weapon, strangulation, or prior convictions. It also tends to arrive with a no-contact order that affects where you live and when you see your children.
The criminal charge is handled here. The civil injunction that often runs beside it is a separate matter in family court, and we handle that too.
Common questions
What's the difference between assault and battery in Florida?
Assault is a credible threat; battery is unwanted touching or striking. Aggravated versions involve a weapon or serious injury. We dissect the elements, the witness accounts, and the injuries to challenge a case that's been overcharged.
How does Stand Your Ground work in Florida?
If the force you used was justified, you can seek pretrial immunity, and if it's granted, the charges are dismissed. We prepare the immunity hearing, develop the self-defense evidence, and present the justification at trial if we need to.
Can domestic violence charges be dropped if the accuser asks?
Not automatically, the State decides whether to proceed. We focus on the inconsistencies, the motives, the 911 and bodycam evidence, and compliance with any no-contact order to seek a dismissal, diversion, or a reduced charge.
What are the penalties for aggravated assault or battery?
They depend on whether a weapon was used, how serious the injury was, and your record, and can include prison, probation, and firearm restrictions. We push for lesser-included offenses, stand-your-ground relief, or trial when negotiations stall.
Should I talk to police to ‘clear things up’?
No. Invoke your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer. Statements get misread and used against you. Contact us right away so we can manage communications and protect your rights from the start.
Rooted in Coral Gables. Admitted throughout Florida.
The office is on Galiano Street, two blocks off Miracle Mile. Most of the work is close to it: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and the Keys. We take cases anywhere in the state.
- Coral Gables
- Miami-Dade
- Broward
- Palm Beach
- The Florida Keys
- All of Florida
Talk to a Coral Gables attorney
Tell us what happened. We will tell you what deadlines are already running, what the matter is realistically worth, and whether we are the right firm for it. Including when the answer is no. Free consultation. No obligation.