Criminal Defense Attorney in
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

While it is true that facing criminal charges is daunting, it is also true that with excellent legal counsel, you may be able to avoid a conviction and all of the penalties associated with the offense you have been accused of committing. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to contact Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer me, Lloyd H. Golburgh, at Golburgh Law today. I represent clients across South Florida, including those located in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach.

Why Hire a Defense Attorney?

It is reasonable when criminally charged to wonder whether or not you even need a criminal defense lawyer to represent you in court. Some people do try to navigate the criminal justice system on their own, either because they don’t think they need a lawyer, or they don’t think they can afford one. The legal system is very complex. Every decision you make during the course of your case has a significant consequence. A qualified defense lawyer can best protect you through the initial investigation, throughout the discovery process, with negotiations and ultimately before a Judge or Jury, whether it be at trial or plea conference. The attorney at Golburgh Law is here to help you, and I quote legal fees that you can afford.

DUI. If you are accused of DUI in Florida (driving with either a BAC over the legal limit of .08% and/or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs while your normal faculties were impaired), you will face the potential for incurring thousands of dollars in fines and court costs, reporting probation, a vehicle immobilization, community service, the installation in your vehicle of an ignition interlock device, a driver’s license suspension, insurance rate hikes, jail time and even more negative practical consequences. But being accused does not mean you will be convicted. Let me review your case. I may be able to point out defenses you might have or recommend you take your case to trial. Your initial consultation is free. So it costs you nothing to get an educated opinion.

Multiple DUIs. The more driving under the influence convictions you have, the steeper your penalties will be. Multiple DUI convictions bring mandatory minimum jail time, significant driver’s license revocation terms, the requirement of the installation of the ignition interlock device, lengthy probation terms, and thousands of dollars in fines and court costs.

Driving While License Suspended. A Driving While License Suspended charge can bring a misdemeanor charge (as few as 60 days in jail) or a felony charge (as much as five years in state prison) depending upon whether or not you have prior DWLS offenses and upon the reason your license was suspended in the first place. My firm is experienced in defending all kinds of DWLS offenses. I can also help you restore your suspended license. Call me today if you have been charged with Driving While License Suspended or if you need help getting your license reinstated.

Drug Offenses. A drug offense may include the sale, trafficking, manufacturing, cultivation or even just the possession of an illegal or controlled substance. It can include something as mundane as marijuana possession to something as serious as trafficking in prescription pills. The amount and type of drug determine the potential penalties, which can range from probation with no jail time to as much as 30 years to life in state prison.

Theft Offenses. Intentionally taking something that belongs to someone else for the purpose of depriving the rightful owner of that item is criminal. The value of the item stolen determines the penalty imposed upon conviction.

Petty/Grand Theft. Theft crimes are not all the same. Petty theft is charged when someone steals something worth less than $300.00. Petty theft is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in the county jail. Grand theft is charged when someone steals something worth more than $300.00. It is a felony, and depending upon the value of the item or items stolen, one convicted could be sent to state prison for years. At Golburgh Law, I have years of experience handling all kinds of theft crimes throughout South Florida.

Burglary. Burglary is defined as entering a conveyance (car) or dwelling (business or home) without permission and with the intent to commit a crime therein. It can be something as seemingly insignificant as sticking your arm through a car window to steal a cell phone or as significant as breaking into someone’s house in the middle of the night to vandalize, steal, or harm someone. The facts of each unique case determine the severity of the punishment imposed upon conviction. The sentence can range anywhere from probation with no jail time to years in state prison.

Robbery. Robby is the intentional taking of something directly from someone using the threat of or actual violence or assault. It is more serious than burglary and can result in a long-term prison sentence upon conviction.

Armed Robbery. Armed robbery is the intentional taking of something from someone without permission and while in possession of a weapon. Even if the weapon is not used during the commission of the robbery, this type of offense can result in a sentence of life in prison.

Shoplifting. Shoplifting is a very heavily prosecuted crime. Retailers are serious about stopping it. Like theft, the value of an item stolen from a store determines whether the charge brings a misdemeanor sentence or time in state prison. Often, one accused of shoplifting is eligible for pre-trial intervention. Call me at Golburgh Law to find out whether or not you qualify for the state’s pre-trial diversion program.

Juvenile Crimes. If your child is accused of a crime, he or she will be most often be prosecuted in juvenile court. He or she will be designated as a ‘child in need of the services of the department of children and families.’ Most juveniles believe that because they are under 18, they will get a ‘slap on the wrist’. This is not necessarily true. A child who is convicted (determined to be delinquent) of committing a crime can be committed to a juvenile correctional facility or a rehabilitation facility for an extended period of time. Some children, depending upon the nature of the crime for which they stand accused of committing, can be prosecuted as adults in state court and be sent to prison if convicted. At Golburgh Law, I have extensive experience handling cases in juvenile court. Call me today to discuss your child’s case. I can help.

White Collar Crimes. White collar crimes are those committed by people in the business world and typically involve the stealing of money through instances of fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, tax evasion, and more. Let’s face it. Because the victims of white collar crimes are usually well-to-do, the government vigorously prosecutes those accused of committing them. As a Florida criminal defense lawyer, I have the experience and skill necessary to defend you against charges of committing white collar crimes.

Weapons Charges. There are different regulations on the types of weapons that are permitted to be owned and carried. Some weapons can be owned or possessed, but not carried. For example, you can own a gun in Florida but can’t carry it on your person without a concealed weapons permit. Even if you don’t have a permit, you can carry a weapon or gun in your car so long as it’s concealed AND in a locked case or glove compartment or out of your reach and in a snapped holster. If it’s concealed but not in a locked case or glove compartment or within your reach and not in a snapped holster, you could be charged with unlawful possession of a weapon or firearm. These charges can bring jail time upon conviction. If you are in this situation, call me at Golburgh Law today. I have the skill necessary to protect you if you are being prosecuted for a weapons charge.

Assault & Battery. Assault is defined as the action of ‘putting someone in fear of imminent bodily harm,” and Battery is defined as the unlawful touching of another without that person’s permission. Both can be charged as misdemeanors which can bring county jail sentences and both can be charged as felonies which bring state prison time. The specific type of behavior alleged determines how the crime will be charged. For example, if someone charges at you but doesn’t actually make contact with you, and you are put in fear, that person can be charged with misdemeanor assault. On the other hand, if someone fires a gun at you and misses, he or she can be charged with assault with a deadly weapon and be sent to state prison. If someone shoves you without permission, he or she can be charged with misdemeanor battery and sentenced to probation with no jail time or county jail time; however, if someone breaks all of the bones in your face with his or her fist, he or she can be charged with aggravated battery, a felony, and go to prison for a long time. If you’ve been charged with such an offense, call me at Golburgh Law today. Let me review your police report. I will be able to tell you how I can help.

Domestic Violence. Domestic violence is defined as violence between people who have some kind of personal relationship. For example, domestic dating violence is that which is committed by a boyfriend or girlfriend against a boyfriend or girlfriend who lives elsewhere. Conventional domestic violence is committed by someone who lives with or who has lived with someone else. Both can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending upon the nature of the violence. A conviction for domestic violence brings mandatory jail time, a lengthy probation term, and a batterers intervention program, even on a first offense. If you’ve been charged with Domestic Violence, I’m ready to help. Call me today for a free consultation.

Restraining Orders. A restraining order is a civil order from a Judge commanding someone to stay away from someone else. Although a restraining order is civil rather than criminal, if issued, it goes on your record, and if you violate it, you can go to jail. Restraining orders are scary because it’s easy to get one issued against someone else with almost no evidence at all. What’s worse, some spouses, or ex-spouses (lovers or ex-lovers, too) try to get restraining orders against their spouse (or ex-spouse, lover, or ex-lover) unfairly in order to keep that person away from their children. If you need a restraining order against someone who is harassing you or has threatened you with violence, call me at Golburgh Law today. We’ll help you navigate the process. If someone has sought a restraining order against you, I can help you too. There are specific things that must be alleged and substantiated before a judge will issue a permanent restraining order against you. I can make sure a restraining order isn’t unfairly issued against you.

Probation Violation. Probation is ordered on almost every criminal case that doesn’t end in an acquittal or dismissal. The department of probation is responsible for supervising anyone placed on probation by a judge. That means they make sure the probationer does not get in trouble with the law while on probation, and that the probationer completes all of the conditions of probation imposed by the judge.

It’s actually very easy to violate your probation. Anything from being unintentionally late for curfew or missing an appointment with your probation officer to testing positive for alcohol or drugs or committing a new offense can be cause for a violation of probation. If you violate your probation, you could go to jail. If you are accused of a probation violation, call me at Golburgh Law in Fort Lauderdale today. I don’t recommend you handle your violation of probation matter without experienced counsel. Discover how I can defend you after a criminal charge in Miami, West Palm Beach, or anywhere else in South Florida.