Being arrested and processed through the criminal justice system is one of the most frightening experiences one can face. A large part of the fear and anxiety comes from not knowing what will happen to you, and feeling powerless in the hands of the police, prosecutors, judges and jail officials. When you hire the lawyers at Eighmie Law Firm to represent you, you have a legal team on your side who are with you every step of the way, who know your rights and will fight to protect them and see that you are treated fairly. Our legal team includes a former Assistant Public Defender with the 19th Judicial Circuit and a former Navy Judge Advocate General with experience in criminal prosecutions as well as defense of a wide range of criminal matters. We know the Florida legal system and what it takes to help you.
What to do if you are arrested in Florida
If you have watched a police drama on television in the last 40 years, you already know that you have the right to remain silent, and that anything you say to the police can be used against you in court. Your right to remain silent, or privilege against self-incrimination, is a Constitutional right that cannot be taken away from you, although you can give it up by agreeing to talk to the police or prosecutors. Even if you think you are innocent and want to help clear your name, when the police suspect you of a crime, their questioning is not designed to clear you as a suspect; it is designed to gather enough evidence to arrest you or to use against you at trial. Even innocent but contradictory statements are harmful because they can be used to make you look dishonest, and law enforcement officials are trained experts at getting you to make contradictory statements. The two single most important things you can do if you are arrested are: 1) politely but firmly decline to answer questions, and 2) politely but firmly request to speak to your lawyer.
As a person accused of a crime, you are considered innocent until proven guilty, and it is the job of the state to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a unanimous jury. If they cannot do this, you can go free. By refusing to give statements to the police, you do not give them any evidence or ammunition they can use against you. By calling Eighmie Law Firm, you get a team of knowledgeable and experienced Florida criminal defense lawyers who will use every available defense to get the charges against you dismissed or reduced, negotiate a favorable outcome with the prosecutor, or take your case to trial and fight for an acquittal. We are trial lawyers with 20 years of courtroom experience, and we are not intimidated about taking tough cases all the way to a jury verdict when it is in your best interests to defend your case in court.
Get Immediate Help with Your Arrest in Port St. Lucie
If you have been arrested for DUI, a serious felony, or any other criminal matter, call the Port St. Lucie criminal lawyers at Eighmie Law Firm at 772-905-8692 for immediate assistance. We maintain offices in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce and Stuart, and serve clients throughout the Palm Beaches and along Florida’s Treasure Coast. Call for a no-cost, confidential consultation, and let’s discuss how we can help you resolve your legal troubles.
