Do I need to hire an attorney on my Florida case?
If you have a pending criminal charge in Florida, it is ALWAYS advisable to at least speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney such as myself, who can advise you of your legal options. The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Haynes offers a FREE, NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION to anyone who has questions about his or her pending criminal case. You can arrange this simply by calling the office at (941) 954-5333. I will do everything possible to answer all of your questions, and arrange a free in person consultation if necessary.
How much will you charge to represent me on my case?
It depends upon the specific facts of each case. The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Haynes does not charge an initial consultation fee. After calling and speaking with me about your case, it may not be necessary to hire an attorney. If you do decide to hire my law firm, I will determine a reasonable and appropriate fee, based upon the nature of the charge and the complexity of the specific case. For those who need to hire me, I offer flexible payment plans, and accept all major credit cards.
I am guilty of the charge. Why would I even need to bother hiring an attorney?
The majority of the clients who hire me have never been in trouble with the legal system before, and have no knowledge of Florida criminal law. The Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Haynes can advise you of the potential consequences of entering a guilty plea, and the possible sentence you will receive if you do not wish to contest the case. Even before your court date, I can directly negotiate with the prosecutor assigned to your case regarding the sentence and punishment you will receive.
I have been falsely accused of the charge against me. What are my options?
In Florida, in the vast majority of cases you have the absolute right to a jury trial, which normally is a jury of six people. A jury verdict must be unanimous, which means to be found guilty all six jurors would have to agree upon your guilt. In the case of a jury trial, you always have the right to be represented by an attorney. Although you would have the right to be “pro se”, which means to represent yourself, this is usually an unwise decision, since the judge will require you to know and follow the Florida Rules of Evidence and Criminal Procedure. Your lack of legal training will not excuse you from these requirements.