Florida Criminal Defense | Miami & Palm Beach Criminal Defense Attorney

This page gives you an overview of our criminal defense practice. Each charge area below links to a dedicated page with a deeper analysis of the law, available defenses, and what to expect in court.

Florida Criminal Defense Practice Areas: Every Charge We Handle

Florida state criminal law covers a wide range of offenses — each with its own statutes, penalties, and defense considerations. Below is a complete overview of the criminal charges Altawil Law Group defends in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County, with a link to the dedicated page for each area.

Domestic Violence Defense

Domestic violence cases in Florida move faster and carry more immediate consequences than almost any other criminal charge. Under Florida Statute § 741.28, domestic violence includes assault, battery, stalking, and other offenses committed between family or household members. An arrest can trigger automatic no-contact orders that remove you from your home, restrict access to your children, and require firearm surrender — all before the case is scheduled for a hearing.

Florida prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively even when the alleged victim does not want to cooperate. The State can use 911 recordings, body camera footage, photographs, and prior statements independently. One of the most damaging early mistakes in a domestic violence case is contacting the complaining witness directly after a no-contact order has been issued. Those messages often result in additional charges. Do not contact the other party — contact us.

When domestic violence charges overlap with a custody or divorce matter, coordinated legal strategy across both fronts is essential. See also: Florida Family Law Attorney.

→ Read more about Domestic Violence Defense in Florida

Burglary Defense

Burglary in Florida is broader than most people realize. Under Florida Statute § 810.02, burglary includes entering or remaining in a dwelling, structure, or conveyance with the intent to commit a crime inside. Florida classifies burglary as a second or first-degree felony depending on whether someone was present and whether any assault occurred. That range of exposure means early defense analysis is critical.

Defense in burglary cases focuses heavily on the intent element — whether the State can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that criminal intent existed at the time of entry. Consent to be on the premises, misidentification, and absence of criminal intent are among the defenses we evaluate in every burglary case.

→ Read more about Burglary Defense in Florida

Assault & Battery Defense

Under Florida Statutes Chapter 784, assault involves placing someone in reasonable fear of imminent harm — no physical contact required — while battery involves intentional, unwanted physical contact. Both offenses range from misdemeanor to felony depending on the severity of harm, the use of a weapon, and the identity of the victim.

These cases frequently turn on credibility and context. Many are overcharged or based on one-sided accounts of mutual confrontations. Defense strategies include self-defense under Florida's Stand Your Ground law, consent, misidentification, and challenges to the sufficiency of the State's evidence on intent. We review all available evidence — witness statements, surveillance footage, medical records, and 911 audio — before forming a defense plan.

→ Read more about Assault & Battery Defense in Florida

Drug Crimes Defense

Florida drug charges under Chapter 893 range from simple possession misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. The charge level is determined by the type of substance, the quantity involved, and what the State claims the defendant intended to do with it. These are fundamentally evidence cases — and the evidence often has real vulnerabilities.

Defense strategy begins with the Fourth Amendment: Was the search that produced the evidence lawful? If not, suppression may be available, and without the evidence, the prosecution often cannot proceed. We also examine constructive possession theories, chain of custody, lab testing standards, and informant credibility, where applicable.

→ Read more about Drug Crimes Defense in Florida

DUI Defense

Florida DUI law under § 316.193 requires the State to establish impairment through a specific chain of lawful observation, testing, and documentation — and every link in that chain is auditable. We examine the legality of the stop, whether field sobriety tests were conducted in accordance with standardized protocols, whether breath or blood testing met Florida's procedural requirements, and whether the documentation accurately reflects what occurred.

For professionals and business owners, a DUI also carries secondary consequences — insurance, licensing scrutiny, and travel restrictions — that often demand as much attention as the criminal matter itself.

→ Read more about DUI Defense in Florida

Theft Crimes Defense

Florida theft charges under Chapter 812 range from petit theft misdemeanors to grand theft felonies, with charge severity determined primarily by the value of the property involved. To secure a conviction, the State must prove that the defendant took property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it — and that intent element is often where the defense lives.

Many theft cases arise from genuine misunderstandings, disputed ownership, business disputes that have been pushed into criminal court, or situations where the defendant reasonably believed they had authorization to take or use the property. We examine intent carefully in every case.

→ Read more about Theft Crimes Defense in Florida

Drug Trafficking Defense

Florida drug trafficking is defined by weight thresholds, not by evidence of actual distribution. Possessing a quantity of a controlled substance that meets the statutory threshold triggers mandatory minimum prison sentences — regardless of what the defendant intended to do with it. For cannabis, cocaine, fentanyl, and opioids, those mandatory minimums can range from three years to life depending on the amount involved.

Because trafficking cases are built on quantity, the integrity of every weight measurement, lab test, and chain-of-custody transfer is a defense priority. We also challenge the constitutionality of the search that produced the evidence, constructive possession theories, and informant reliability in cases where a tip formed the basis of the investigation. Early and thorough evidence review is essential given the severity of the mandatory minimum exposure.

→ Read more about Drug Trafficking Defense in Florida

Child Neglect and Child Abuse Defense

Child neglect and abuse charges under Florida Statutes Chapter 827 are serious felonies that carry substantial prison exposure. These cases also trigger immediate involvement by the Florida Department of Children and Families, potential emergency removal of children, and dependency court proceedings that operate on a separate track from the criminal case.

Defense requires independent evaluation of the physical and medical evidence, the methodology used in child interviews, DCF procedural compliance, and any alternative explanations for the alleged injuries or conditions. These cases also demand close coordination between the criminal defense and any related family court proceedings to protect your parental rights on both fronts.

→ Read more about Child Neglect and Child Abuse Defense in Florida

Firearms and Weapons Defense

Florida's weapons statutes under Chapter 790 create multiple layers of criminal exposure. Unlawful concealed carry, possession by a convicted felon, carrying in a prohibited location, and improper display of a firearm are all separate offenses — and a weapons charge can also serve as a sentencing enhancement in a separate case under Florida's 10-20-Life statute, significantly increasing the prison exposure for another underlying offense.

These cases frequently turn on the lawfulness of the search that produced the firearm. When the weapon was discovered through an unconstitutional stop or search, suppression may be available. We also challenge constructive possession theories and evaluate whether valid licensing or Stand Your Ground defenses apply.

→ Read more about Firearms and Weapons Defense in Florida

Homicide and Murder Charges

Homicide charges under Chapter 782 represent the highest-stakes criminal cases in the Florida state system. Charges range from manslaughter through second-degree murder, first-degree murder, and felony murder — with penalties up to life imprisonment. The State's narrative, forensic assumptions, and witness accounts can solidify quickly after an incident, which makes early, disciplined defense preparation essential.

Defense in a homicide case begins immediately with forensic review, timeline reconstruction, witness strategy, and evaluation of defenses, including self-defense and Stand Your Ground under Florida's justifiable use of force statute. There is no more serious case — and no case that demands more from defense counsel from the very first day.

→ Read more about Homicide and Murder Defense in Florida

Sex Crime Defense

Sex crime allegations carry consequences that extend well beyond the criminal case itself. A conviction — and in many situations even an arrest — can result in lifetime sex offender registration under § 943.0435, residential and employment restrictions, public registry exposure, professional license consequences, and immigration ramifications that can be permanent and irreversible.

Defense in sex crime cases requires careful, methodical review of the allegations, the investigation procedures used to interview the complaining witness, the digital evidence and its metadata, the prior relationship between the parties, and the physical evidence collection process. Given the severity of the collateral consequences, the defense must be as thorough as the prosecution — and it must begin immediately.

→ Read more about Sex Crime Defense in Florida

Probation Violation Defense

A probation violation in Florida does not require proof of a new crime. Under § 948.06, a violation can be alleged based on a missed appointment, a failed drug test, an unapproved change of address, or any other condition the court imposed. The burden of proof at a violation of probation (VOP) hearing is lower than at trial — the State need only show "reasonable ground" that a violation occurred — and there is no jury.

A proven probation violation gives the judge wide discretion to impose the maximum sentence available at the time of the original conviction, which may include substantial prison time. Defense strategy focuses on challenging whether a technical violation actually occurred, presenting mitigating circumstances, and negotiating for continued supervision rather than incarceration. These hearings move quickly — contact us as soon as a VOP warrant is issued.

→ Read more about Probation Violation Defense in Florida

Resisting Arrest Defense

Resisting arrest charges in Florida fall under § 843.01 (resisting with violence — a felony) and § 843.02 (resisting without violence — a misdemeanor). These charges frequently arise alongside other charges and are sometimes added to bolster the State's case narrative.

A critical defense principle: a person is legally required to submit only to a lawful arrest. When the underlying stop or detention was unconstitutional — because police lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause — the lawfulness of the arrest becomes a direct defense issue. We examine the constitutionality of the police encounter from the beginning, because an unlawful detention changes the legal analysis of everything that follows.

→ Read more about Resisting Arrest Defense in Florida

Worthless Check Defense

Writing a check that is returned for insufficient funds can be charged as a criminal offense in Florida under § 832.05. Checks under $150 are misdemeanors; checks over $150 are felonies. However, criminal prosecution requires proof that the check was issued knowing there were insufficient funds, which places the intent and knowledge elements at the center of the defense.

Many worthless check cases arise from banking errors, transfer timing, business disputes, or a good-faith belief that funds were available. Florida law also provides a safe harbor period during which the check writer can make it good before prosecution begins. We evaluate each case for its intent evidence and the procedural history before any defense plan is formed.

→ Read more about Worthless Check Defense in Florida

Child Pornography Defense

Child pornography charges in Florida are prosecuted at both the state and federal levels and carry severe consequences — mandatory minimum sentences, lifetime sex offender registration, residential and employment restrictions, and permanent reputational harm. Florida state charges under § 827.071 include possession, transmission, and production of child sexual abuse material, each carrying separate felony charges.

These are digital evidence cases. Defense requires independent forensic examination of devices, metadata, file timestamps, download history, network logs, and access records to challenge the State's theory of possession and knowing receipt. Shared networks, malware, and unauthorized device access are legitimate defense considerations that require qualified digital forensics expertise. Given the consequences of mandatory registration, early and thorough representation is essential.

→ Read more about Child Pornography Defense in Florida

OFAC Defense

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers U.S. economic and trade sanctions programs. Individuals and businesses in Florida — particularly in Miami's international business community — can face OFAC civil penalties or criminal referrals for transactions that involve designated countries, entities, or individuals on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.

These matters often arise without warning, in the form of a blocked transaction, an administrative inquiry, or a federal criminal investigation. OFAC matters are complex, and the consequences can be substantial: significant civil fines, disgorgement, reputational damage, and in cases involving willful violations, federal criminal prosecution.

Altawil Law Group advises clients on OFAC compliance, responds to administrative inquiries, and defends individuals and businesses in OFAC penalty proceedings or criminal referrals. In Miami's international business environment, proactive OFAC counsel is an important part of risk management.

→ Read more about OFAC Defense in Florida

Extradition Defense

Extradition proceedings arise when Florida authorities seek to transfer a person to another state to face criminal charges there, or when another jurisdiction seeks to extradite someone located in Florida. Florida extradition law is governed by the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act (Chapter 941), which provides specific procedural rights for the person being sought.

Extradition is not automatic. A person facing extradition can challenge whether they are the person named in the requesting state's warrant, whether the warrant is legally valid, and whether proper procedures have been followed. These hearings move quickly — often within days of arrest — which means representation must begin immediately. We also handle situations where voluntary surrender on negotiated terms is the better strategic path than formal extradition proceedings.

→ Read more about Extradition Defense in Florida

Asset Forfeiture Defense

Civil and criminal asset forfeiture allows the government to seize property it claims is connected to criminal activity — often before any charges are filed or any conviction is obtained. In Florida, forfeiture proceedings are governed by the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act (Chapter 932).

The burden of proof in a civil forfeiture case is lower than in a criminal prosecution — and property owners who do not formally contest the forfeiture within a strict deadline can permanently lose their right to challenge it.

We file timely challenges to improper forfeitures, demand probable-cause hearings, challenge the connection between the seized property and any alleged criminal activity, and defend the rights of innocent owners whose property was seized despite their lack of knowledge of or involvement in the underlying conduct. Asset forfeiture is one area where acting quickly is not optional — the deadline to contest is absolute.

→ Read more about Asset Forfeiture Defense in Florida

Cryptocurrency Defense

Cryptocurrency-related criminal charges are one of the fastest-growing areas of prosecution in Florida and at the federal level. Prosecutors are pursuing cases involving Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets in connection with money laundering, wire fraud, unlicensed money transmission, tax evasion, ransomware, and dark web marketplace activity. Florida also regulates virtual currency transmission under Chapter 560.

These cases present unique evidentiary and technical challenges. The tracing of blockchain transactions, the attribution of wallet addresses to specific individuals, the use of mixing services, and the reliability of proprietary blockchain forensics tools are all contested areas that require independent expert analysis.

We work with qualified digital forensics and blockchain analysts to challenge the government's technical evidence, examine whether asset seizures were lawfully executed, and build defenses against charges that often rest on technical assumptions the prosecution cannot always support in court.

→ Read more about Cryptocurrency Criminal Defense in Florida

Florida Criminal Defense Practice Areas — Quick Reference

How Altawil Law Group Defends Florida Criminal Cases

Every case we handle follows the same foundational approach: understand the evidence, identify the legal pressure points, and build a strategy that puts the defense in the strongest possible position — whether that means winning a suppression hearing, negotiating a favorable resolution, or taking the case to trial.

Defense in Florida state court is governed by the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Florida Evidence Code (Chapter 90). Both create real, actionable opportunities to limit or defeat the State's case — when an attorney knows where to look and how to use them.

Stabilize the Situation First

The first hearing in a Florida criminal case — the first appearance — happens within 24 hours of arrest. Conditions of release, no-contact orders, and geographic restrictions are set at that hearing and can remain in place for months. Without prepared counsel present at that moment, default conditions stand. With us there from the beginning, the first hearing becomes an opportunity: to argue for reasonable release conditions and to begin the defense on the right footing.

Audit the Evidence — and How It Was Obtained

Florida criminal cases turn on procedure as often as they turn on facts. Whether a stop was lawful, whether a warrant was properly issued, whether a search fell within a recognized constitutional exception — these questions determine what evidence the State is allowed to use. When the answer to any of them is "no," suppression may be available. A suppressed piece of evidence can fundamentally change the trajectory of a case.

Pretrial Motions Create Real Leverage

Pretrial motions are not formalities. They are the mechanism by which a prepared defense forces the State to confront the weaknesses in its own case before trial. A motion to suppress can eliminate key evidence. A motion to dismiss can end the case. Even when motions fall short of those outcomes, they demonstrate that the defense is prepared to litigate — and that changes how the State approaches negotiation.

Prepare for Trial from Day One

Most Florida criminal cases resolve before trial. Favorable resolutions almost always happen because the defense was demonstrably ready to try the case. We build every serious matter with trial in mind from the first consultation — because trial readiness is what makes every other outcome possible.

Why Early Representation Changes the Outcome

The most consequential phase of a Florida criminal case is often the period between when something happens and when a defense attorney is in control. During that window, evidence is being gathered, statements are being made, and the State's case is taking shape — without any defense input.

Early Mistakes Become Permanent Evidence

Speaking to law enforcement without counsel, contacting the complaining witness, or posting about the case on social media — these actions cannot be undone. Each one can become evidence the State uses against you. A defense attorney prevents those mistakes before they happen.

Pre-Charge Intervention Is Sometimes Possible

When the State Attorney has not yet decided whether to file charges, defense involvement can sometimes make a difference. Presenting exculpatory information, identifying weaknesses in the investigation, or correcting factual misunderstandings can reduce or eliminate the likelihood of formal prosecution. That opportunity closes once charges are filed.

First Appearance Hearings Move Fast

Bond hearings in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County happen within 24 hours of arrest. Without prepared counsel at that hearing, conditions are set by default. With us present, the first hearing is a defense opportunity — not a formality.

The Florida State Criminal Court Process: Stage by Stage

Florida state criminal cases follow a structured procedural path. Understanding each stage allows you to make informed decisions rather than reactive ones.

Collateral Consequences: What the Court Does Not Explain

The sentence a judge imposes is only part of what a Florida criminal conviction actually costs. For many clients, the collateral consequences are the most damaging — and the longest-lasting. Altawil Law Group accounts for all of them when building a defense strategy.

Professional Licensing

Most Florida professional licenses — medical, nursing, legal, real estate, financial, and contractor licenses — require self-reporting of arrests and can trigger independent licensing board proceedings that run in parallel with the criminal case, sometimes moving faster. We build a defense strategy with those proceedings in view from day one.

Immigration

For non-citizen clients, certain Florida criminal convictions — drug offenses, domestic violence, crimes of moral turpitude, and aggravated felonies as defined under federal immigration law — can trigger mandatory deportation, bars to naturalization, and permanent inadmissibility. We evaluate the immigration impact of every proposed resolution before any plea is accepted.

Firearm Rights

A Florida felony conviction results in loss of firearm possession rights under both state and federal law. A misdemeanor domestic violence conviction permanently triggers the federal firearms disability under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). For clients who rely on firearms for personal protection, sport, or employment, this consequence can be one of the most significant consequences the case carries.

Family Law and Custody

Criminal charges — particularly domestic violence allegations — can directly affect family court proceedings through emergency custody modifications, no-contact orders, and judicial assessments of parental fitness. When criminal and family matters run simultaneously, coordinating strategy across both fronts is essential. See our Florida Family Law practice.

If the Outcome Was Wrong: Criminal Appeals

If a conviction has already occurred and the outcome may have resulted from legal error or constitutional violations, the case may not be over. Altawil Law Group handles Florida criminal defense appellate proceedings — direct appeals and Rule 3.850 post-conviction motions. The deadline to file a direct appeal is 30 days from sentencing.

Why Choose Altawil Law Group as Your Florida Criminal Defense Attorney

We Give You a Plan, Not a Pitch

In our first consultation, we focus on what actually determines your exposure: the specific evidence, the legal vulnerabilities in the State's case, the realistic resolution pathways, and the collateral consequences that apply to your situation. That is a working defense plan — not a sales presentation.

Trial Readiness Is How We Create Leverage

Prosecutors negotiate seriously with defense teams they believe will litigate. When we tell the State we are prepared to try a case, it reflects months of genuine preparation — not a bluff. Favorable resolutions occur because the defense was prepared for the outcome it sought to avoid. We prepare every serious case with trial in mind.

We Cover the Full Scope of Florida Criminal Defense

From DUI to homicide, worthless checks to cryptocurrency fraud, domestic violence to asset forfeiture — our practice covers the full landscape of Florida state criminal charges. Clients do not need multiple attorneys when their case touches several areas, and when criminal matters overlap with family law, professional licensing, or immigration concerns, we address all of it within one coordinated strategy.

Integrated Criminal Defense and Appellate Capability

Altawil Law Group's trial-level criminal defense is integrated with our Florida criminal appellate practice. We preserve issues, make proper objections, and build the trial record with the appellate record in mind. Clients who received inadequate representation elsewhere are also welcome to consult us about post-conviction and appeal options.

Florida Criminal Defense — Frequently Asked Questions

Practice Area Pages & Florida Criminal Law Resources

All Criminal Defense Practice Pages — Altawil Law Group

• Domestic Violence Defense
• Burglary Defense
• Assault & Battery Defense
• Drug Crimes Defense
• DUI Defense
• Theft Crimes Defense
• Drug Trafficking Defense
• Child Neglect & Child Abuse Defense
• Firearms & Weapons Defense
• Homicide & Murder Defense
• Sex Crime Defense
• Probation Violation Defense
• Resisting Arrest Defense
• Worthless Check Defense
• Child Pornography Defense
• OFAC Defense
• Extradition Defense
• Asset Forfeiture Defense
• Cryptocurrency Defense

Contact Altawil Law Group — Florida Criminal Defense Attorney

A Florida criminal charge is serious, whatever the charge category. What happens next depends on the quality of the defense that is built — and how quickly it begins. Altawil Law Group represents clients facing the full range of Florida state criminal charges in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County, from the first hearing through trial and, where needed, through appellate proceedings.

If you have been arrested, charged, investigated, or served with court papers — or if you believe an investigation is underway — call us now. The consultation is confidential, and the earlier we can evaluate your situation, the more options will remain available.