Mistake 1: Talking to the police.
You want to explain your side of the story: the victim lied; you only had a couple beers before being pulled over for suspected DUI; or the drugs found in the car belonged to a former passenger. DON’T SPEAK TO THE POLICE. They will not “unarrest” you. In fact, anything you say may be misquoted and used against you. As your attorney, I will challenge the officer’s observations, expose potential biases, and vigorously question the witnesses’ perceptions, so you don’t have to relinquish your constitutional right to remain silent. Since police reports only tell one side of the story, together we will review all the evidence and look for key evidence the police officers missed, or inconsistencies in the victims’ statements. For more information about how I can assist you, contact Orlando Criminal Lawyer Shane Fischer . The consultation is free, and I am available to meet with you after hours, or on weekends.
Mistake 2: Contacting the alleged victim.
You may want to talk to them about settling your differences out of court. DON’T. You could make some critical admissions which the Assistant State Attorney will use against you at trial. Moreover, you could face additional charges of Tampering With a Witness, in violation of Fla. Stat §914.22. As your attorney, I can relay information to the victim without compromising your defense or your rights. Contact Orlando Criminal Lawyer Shane Fischer to discuss how I can help preserve your rights when someone has accused you of a crime.
Mistake 3: Discussing the facts of the case with friends, family, or co-workers.
The Assistant State Attorney could subpoena anyone you talk to and force them to testify about your conversations! You do not have to justify anything to anyone. Remember: you are presumed innocent, and the law requires the Assistant State Attorney prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Besides, your friends and family will support you regardless of your circumstances, and cynical people won’t believe you anyways. Therefore, it’s best to gently remind curious individuals that you will talk about your case after it is over. If friends and family prod you for details, simply tell them to contact Orlando Criminal Attorney Shane Fischer, and I will explain the importance of strict client confidentiality. However, if they have any information that may assist your defense, I will be more than happy to speak with them. Otherwise, their involvement may do more harm than good.
Mistake 4: Taking advice from friends and family,
Their legal knowledge is often limited to what they see on television, or what happened to a friend of a friend. Since every case is different, the best thing your family can do is refer you to an aggressive, experienced criminal defense attorney. As a former Assistant State Attorney, I have the experience, knowledge, and judgment to recommend the best strategy for your case, whether it’s a DUI or a life felony. Contact Orlando Criminal Lawyer Shane Fischer for your free, confidential consultation today.
Mistake 5: Defending yourself.
The law is constantly changing. You need a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer familiar with recent legal trends to vigorously examine all the evidence and properly advise you of the consequences of entering a plea. Unfortunately, many times potential clients come to me weeks or months after they pled, without first speaking with an attorney, trying to withdraw their plea because the Dept. of Motor Vehicles revoked their driving privilege, they were fired, or they face a probation violation for a condition they did not know even existed. Don’t become one of those people!!! Contact Attorney Shane Fischer for more information on the collateral consequences of entering a plea.
Mistake 6: Going to court before speaking with an attorney.
You might inadvertently waive some valuable constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial. Once you’ve waived this important right, this Assistant State Attorney can prosecute you at their convenience, not yours. Unfortunately, many judges will require you waive your speedy trial rights at your first court appearance if you do not already have an attorney. Also, since judges call cases with attorneys first, you could spend hours waiting in court, missing work, school, or class. As your attorney, I may be able to waive your appearance at most court hearings, saving you valuable time. For more information about your constitutional right to a speedy trial, or for more details about how I can appear on your behalf at most court hearings, contact Orlando Criminal Lawyer Shane Fischer.
Mistake 7: Waiting to hire an attorney.
It is imperative I begin my investigation as soon as possible. People move, memories fade, and crime scenes disappear. The sooner I begin my investigation the sooner I can start preparing your defense. Contact me immediately so I can begin my investigation.
Mistake 8: Asking for an overworked, underpaid Public Defender.
Due to budget cuts, Assistant Public Defenders are being appointed to more cases than they can reasonably handle, preventing them from fully preparing an adequate defense for their clients. This often means the difference between a conviction, a lesser charge, or an acquittal. Unlike an Assistant Public Defender, or a big, high-volume law firm, I limit the number of cases I take so I can thoroughly review all the evidence, devoting my time and energy to preparing the defense each client deserves. For more information about how I can assist you with your case, please head to the contact page.
Mistake 9: Not hiring an experienced, aggressive attorney.
Assistant State Attorneys know which criminal defense attorneys will fight for their clients, and which ones won’t. You don’t want to hire an attorney who is afraid to go to trial, or who is afraid of challenging the admissibility of statements, tangible evidence, or unlawful searches and seizures. Since 2001, I have tried dozens of jury trials, litigated hundreds of Motions to Suppress Evidence, Motions to Dismiss, and other Motions that challenge the admissibility of the Assistant State Attorney’s evidence. This has resulted in some charges being dismissed, or otherwise reduced to a less serious charge because the Judge ruled key evidence inadmissible. For more information about my past results, contact Orlando Criminal Lawyer Shane Fischer today.
Mistake 10: Not being completely honest with your lawyer.
If you went to a doctor for headaches and chest pain, but only told the doctor about your headache, the doctor may prescribe medicine which could kill you. Like the doctor, I must know everything about your case, including the potentially embarrassing details, because I do not want to pursue an ineffective strategy. I will not judge you, and everything you tell me will remain confidential. Nobody, not your family, the prosecuting attorney, nor your employer will ever know what we discuss. Once I know your side of the story, I will be in a better position to recommend a particular strategy. For more information, or to set up a free, confidential consultation, contact Orlando Criminal Lawyer Shane Fischer