Pensacola Criminal Lawyers

Pensacola criminal lawyers at Musca Law handle all types of felonies and misdemeanors. We represent clients in all courts including state and federal courts. We have over 150 years of experience and provide real information on our website and real defense strategies for our clients. We have a proven history of success, which can be found on our case results page, and we have won many awards for having the highest legal ability and ethics.

Escambia County Criminal Defense Attorneys Handling All Types of Charges

Some of the charges our Pensacola criminal defense attorneys handle include Sex Crimes, DUI, Domestic Violence, Federal Charges, Drug Charges, and all criminal related matters. On our site, people can learn about the laws, statutes, and codes that relate specific matters according to criminal law.

Pensacola Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

People in Pensacola facing federal charges probably need help understanding what differentiates State crimes from Federal charges. Federal crimes are infractions of the federal laws and legal codes. Charges can be anything from white collar crimes like mail fraud or identity theft to non-white collar crimes like drug trafficking, violent crimes, gun violations, etc. Federal crimes are investigated by the government. Agencies most likely to be involved in the investigation are the FBI, IRS, and DEA.

Pensacola Criminal Defense at the Federal Level

If a federal case goes to trial, the United States Attorney is the prosecutor instead of the State of Florida or the district attorney. When the case results in a conviction sentencing go according to federal guidelines. This means a person goes to a federal prison instead of a state facility if jail time is involved.

Pensacola Defense Attorneys – Examples of Federal Crimes

• Felonies
• White-collar crimes
• Drug trafficking
• International money laundering
• RICO
• Hate crimes
• Identity theft
• Gun crimes
• Computer crimes
• Immigration crimes
• Credit card Fraud
• ATM fraud
• Computer fraud
• Corruption
• IP – Intellectual Property

Pensacola Criminal Defense and Drug Crime Lawyers

Florida has strict drug laws and people in Pensacola facing these types of charges can learn about the laws and statues here. The laws are found in chapter 893 of the Florida statutes. Chapter 893 defines a list of controlled substances. These are illegal drugs. Some drugs are illegal if you don’t have a prescription, other drugs are just outright illegal. Chapter 893 defines penalties for a conviction. The chapter has multiple laws penalties included for related crimes, including mandatory minimum sentences, driver’s license suspensions, fines, and property forfeitures. These are added in addition to usual consequences like probation and community control.

Pensacola Criminal Defense Law Firm – Common Drugs Resulting in Charges

• Cocaine
• Heroine
• Methamphetamine
• Prescription Drugs
• Designer Drugs
• Marijuana
• Drug Paraphernalia

Criminal Attorney in Pensacola – Severity of Drug Charges

The severity of the drug charge in Florida is usually determined by the weight of the substance the accused possess. Under Florida Statute 893.135(6) the weight is the total of the amount of the controlled substance and any mixing agents is combined. A person could possess a small amount of the illegal drug mixed with cutting agents or additives that are not illegal and be charged for the total weight. This would lead to a more serious charge.

Escambia County Criminal Lawyers – DUI Defense

People who are being charged with driving under the influence, or DUI, in Pensacola are affected by Florida Statute 316.193. If the police arrest a person for DUI in Pensacola they should consider hiring an experienced Pensacola DUI who will analyze the facts surrounding the stop, field sobriety tests (FSTs), and chemical test results. This is how we determine the legal options for our clients and determine potential DUI defense strategies. Under Pensacola Florida DUI laws convictions of a first offense can lead to penalties including:

• Driver’s license suspension for six months
• License suspension of one year if a chemical test was refused
• Up to six months in county jail, this could be nine months if the BAC or blood alcohol concentration was .15 or higher or a minor was being transported
• Up to fifty hours of community service
• Fines of up to $2000

Pensacola Criminal Lawyers – Other DUI Penalties

People charged with DUI in Pensacola could face additional penalties that may include complying with installation of an ignition interlock device, DUI school, and/or impoundment (immobilization) of the person’s vehicle.

Criminal Attorneys in Pensacola – Why Hire a DUI Defense Lawyer?

Time is not on the side of people accused of DUI in Pensacola. Hiring an attorney can lead to better outcomes for the people who do. A person can only dispute an administrative suspension of their driver’s license if they request a DMV hearing to fight the suspension within ten days. Our Pensacola criminal defense attorneys can handle all DUI and drunk driving offenses, which may include:

• DUI with priors
• Felony DUI
• DUI for commercial drivers
• Driver’s license revocation hearings
• Implied consent violations
• DUI accidents
• DUI with injuries
• DUI manslaughter
• Boating under the influence

Pensacola Criminal Lawyer – Sex Crime Defense

Sex Crimes in Pensacola [Florida Statutes 794 “Sexual Battery” and 796 “Prostitution”]

If a person is convicted of a misdemeanor or felony sex crime in Pensacola, they will end up with a criminal record. The results of sexual offenses differ when it comes to the extent and duration of the impact on the personal and or professional reputation of the convicted. People convicted of sex crimes have to register as sex offenders or sex predators. This is a serious consequence and it means neighbors, employers, landlord, family members, and anyone else can learn about the person’s criminal record easily by searching on the internet. People convicted could also be subject to restrictions on where they can live or work.

Pensacola Criminal Defense Lawyers and Sex Crimes Know Your Rights

Depending on the criminal offense a person could face penalties including jail or prison time, significant fines, mandatory classes, psychological assessment and or treatment, mandatory registration as a sex offender or sex predator as well as other potential penalties. Experienced Pensacola criminal defense lawyers at Musca Law understand the consequences their clients face. We provide a competent defense for sexual crimes and we have been acknowledged as a leading defense attorney in Pensacola and throughout the state of Florida.

We handle all types of criminal and sex related charges in Pensacola, Florida:

• Rape
• Molestation
• Child Pornography
• Lewd and Lascivious Behavior
• Solicitation of a Minor
• Indecency with a Child
• Pandering and Pimping
• Indecent Exposure
• Internet Sex Offenses
• Sexual Assault
• Statutory Rape
• Traveling to Meet a Minor
• Failing to Register as a Sex Offender
• Human Trafficking
• Sexting
• Prostitution/Solicitation
• Sexual Predator Act
• Sexual Tourism

Pensacola Domestic Violence Battery and Criminal Lawyers

In Pensacola people can face charges relating to domestic violence battery. Domestic violence charges in Pensacola are governed by Florida Statute 741. The term domestic violence covers many types of offenses. They can involve force, the threat of force, or inflicted injury by one member of a family or household against another. Florida Statute Section 741.28 defines parties involved. Conduct that falls within Florida’s domestic violence statute includes:

• False Imprisonment
• Domestic Violence
• Sexual Assault
• Stalking
• Battery
• Aggravated Assault
• Aggravated Battery
• Assault
• Injunctions
• Other Crimes Resulting in Physical Injury

These offenses constitute domestic violence when they occur between the following parties according to Florida statute 741, persons related by marriage or blood, parents of a child, spouses both current and former, and individuals residing together as a family.

Defense Lawyers – Penalties for Domestic Violence Battery in Pensacola

Our criminal defense attorneys have determined that according to statute 741 that jail time, mandatory participation in a batterer’s intervention program, and probation are possible penalties as well as being subject to an injunction or restraining order. Violation of these protective orders will result in additional charges and penalties. These types of protective orders could impact a person’s employment status by limiting their ability to obtain a security clearance and people could lose their right to possess firearms.

Pensacola Lawyers – Hiring a Domestic Violence Battery Attorney

Our Pensacola criminal lawyers understand that domestic violence is an important issue. These types of allegations and related injunctions can lead to statute 741 being abused. If a person is involved in a divorce or child custody case, the opposing party could raise false allegations with no notice. This is an unfair process. The complaining spouse could receive possession of the joint home, sole custody of the children, as well as an advantage in the child custody case. Pensacola criminal defense lawyers at Musca Law recognize and understand these motives and work hard to expose false allegations and improper motivations.

Criminal Defense in Pensacola – Juvenile Crimes

The Pensacola and State of Florida’s court system treat children and teens differently than adults. When a minor is charged with a juvenile criminal offense they will enter the Florida juvenile justice system. The government department that handles juvenile matters is the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). They focus on rehabilitation more than punishment.

Pensacola Criminal Defense Law – Juvenile Court proceedings

Pensacola juvenile courts have jurisdiction when it comes to prosecuting defendants under nineteen years old. This includes felony and misdemeanor charges. If a minor is arrested for a crime they will be sent to a Juvenile Assessment Center. The juvenile will be booked and fingerprinted. The authorities will administer a Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (DRAI). This is the tool used to determine whether detention is necessary or not. If it is found that detention is not needed, the juvenile will be released to the parents or guardian. If the DRAI warrants detention the child will be transferred to a Juvenile Detention Center (JDC).

Pensacola Law Firm – Juvenile Hearings

A juvenile will have a hearing within 24 hours of their arrival and they are entitled to have a criminal defense lawyer with them at the hearing. A judge will review all of the accusations, the DRAI, as well as all of the detention location options. After the hearing, the minor could be released to the parents or guardian, with or without conditions or supervision. They could also be returned to the JDC.

Pensacola Defense Attorneys – Juvenile Charges

After the hearing is concluded, the state lawyer determines whether or not to file formal charges. When charges are filed they are called a Delinquency Petition. If charges are filed, there will be another hearing, which is called an arraignment. This is when the juvenile enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If there is a not guilty plea, there will be a trial. If it is a first arrest and the crime is nonviolent, the person may be eligible for a Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program. If the PTI is completed, the charges will be dismissed and there will be no juvenile record.

Criminal Defense Pensacola – Juvenile Pleading Guilty or No Contest

When a juvenile in Pensacola pleads guilty or no contest or is convicted after a trial, they will probably receive probation. They will be assigned to a Juvenile Probation Officer. They will be required to meet conditions of probation. Some of these include attending school full-time with no unexcused absences or suspensions, no contact with bad influences, family or individual counseling, random drug or alcohol testing, restitution, and community service.

Pensacola Lawyers – Juvenile Being Charged as an Adult

The state lawyer may decide to charge the child as an adult depending on the severity of the charges. Florida has a reputation for charging children as adults. This is because it can happen due to the direct file system. This allows the prosecutor to charge a juvenile as an adult without a hearing or any input from a judge. When a Juvenile is charged as an adult, they will be transferred from a juvenile detention center to a regular county jail. You don’t want to gamble with luck when your personal liberty is on the line. Our criminal defense attorneys here at Musca Law understand how intimidating the criminal justice system can be and are here to help you throughout this ordeal. If you or someone you know has been arrested and needs to retain the legal counsel of a Pensacola criminal defense attorney, be sure to reach out to our legal defense team to schedule a free, no-obligation, and confidential case review as soon as possible.

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