Lighthouse Point Federal Defense Lawyer

Federal crimes in Lighthouse Point FL

South Florida’s prominent position in the international drug trade contributes to many of the federal criminal cases we handle. The region’s hot real estate markets, abundance of tourism, and the world-famous nightlife in Miami also play their own roles in drawing criminal activity to the state. We often see federal cases that involve:

• white collar crime
• drug trafficking
• child pornography

Our team is prepared to provide aggressive legal representation in high-profile federal criminal cases. We also handle more sensitive criminal matters with the required level of discretion. We understand the importance of protecting our clients’ reputation from unnecessary damage while being a formidable presence in the courtroom.

South Florida white collar crimes defense attorney

White collar crimes are generally non-violent offenses that have a financial motivation. These offenses include:

• fraud
• money laundering
• racketeering
• tax evasion
• embezzlement
• extortion

Perpetrators of white collar offenses are most often professionals, government figures, and fraudsters who pretend to be professionals and government figures. Everyday people can also be implicated in major white collar cases. We represent people from virtually all backgrounds who are accused of serious white collar offenses. If you are a business owner, public figure, or executive, allegations of a white collar offense can especially be damaging to your public image and professional reputation. Contacting an attorney early on can better position you to get ahead of the rumors and accusations before they become widespread.

Drug trafficking lawyer in Lighthouse Point FL

In Florida, drug possession can quickly become a trafficking offense if the defendant possesses an illegal drug in an amount that surpasses the minimum threshold quantity. Similar to federal law, Florida’s statutes include a detailed categorization of controlled substances. Each substance is organized into one of five schedules according to:

• the potential for the drug to be abused
• the risk of users becoming dependent on the drug
• the drug’s known medical uses

Certain drugs within the five schedules are assigned a minimum threshold quantity that allows a defendant who possesses the drug to be charged with drug trafficking. A drug trafficking charge in Florida does not require prosecutors to prove the defendant had the intent to sell or distribute the illegal substance.

Prosecutors often charge drug trafficking defendants with other offenses. For example, possession is a lesser offense. A prosecutor may charge a defendant who is suspected of selling an illegal controlled substance with a drug distribution charge and a possession charge. If the prosecutor can prove the elements of drug possession but is unable to establish the charge of drug distribution, the defendant may still be convicted for possession.

The state’s efforts to control the abuse of prescription drugs is evidenced in Florida’s tough prescription drug laws. Once upon a time, Florida was notorious for its pill mills, pain management clinics that prescribe addictive prescription drugs without much regulation. Today, individuals may be charged for illegally possessing a prescription drug if they are unable to produce a valid prescription in their name.

People who want to obtain tightly regulated medications still find ways to get the prescription drugs for their own addictions and for sale. Some of the illegal tactics people use to get illegal access to prescription drugs are:

• doctor shopping
• impersonating medical professionals and calling in prescriptions to pharmacies
• stealing prescription pads and forging prescriptions
• altering valid prescriptions to obtain larger quantities or additional refills

If you are facing a prescription drug charge in Lighthouse Point FL, you need a defense lawyer who understands Florida’s complex drug laws and diversion programs defendants may leverage to avoid jail or prison.

Defense lawyer for child pornography charge in Florida

People who have an interest in child pornography typically operate in hidden spaces away from the public eye. The secrecy within which the people who engage in child pornography offenses move makes it more difficult to investigate these offenses. When someone is wrongfully accused of a child pornography-related offense, he or she may be subjected to an intense investigation that may be damaging to his or her career, reputation, and interpersonal relationships. Even if the accusation is proven to be false, the wrongfully accused party is often left to rebuild his or her life with the possibility of others still believing the accusation may have been true.

Retaining a defense attorney very early in the process can mitigate some of the damage a wrongful child pornography allegation can cause. We defend clients who are facing federal and state child pornography-related charges such as:

• possession of child pornography
• promotion of child pornography
• use of a child in a sexual performance
• transmission of material harmful to a minor
• chatroom charges

Our experience and thorough understanding of state and federal child pornography laws set us apart from other federal defense law firms in Florida. We understand the delicate nature of cases that involve minors. Our Lighthouse Point federal defense lawyer provides aggressive legal defense while appropriately navigating the sensitive subject matter that is usually involved in child pornography cases.

South Florida attorney for federal appeals

Joffe Law represents defendants at all stages in the criminal court process, including defendants who have been convicted in state or federal court. No one wants to be convicted of a crime in federal court. However, a conviction is not the end of the story. When a trial court renders a guilty verdict, the defendant’s right to file an appeal is automatically triggered. The process of filing a federal appeal is long and can even be intense for some attorneys. Therefore, defendants who want to appeal a federal trial court’s decision against them should choose their defense lawyer carefully.

The outcome of a federal appellate case often depends heavily on the defense attorney’s writing skills. One of the most important documents in a federal appellate case is the appellate brief. In most federal criminal appeals cases, the attorneys are not permitted to make an oral argument before the court. However, in a small percentage of cases, the appellate panel of judges will schedule oral arguments if they have questions and request the attorneys to make an appearance. We are always prepared to show up for our clients. When you work with Joffe Law, you will have confidence in knowing you have a superior team of legal professionals fighting on your behalf at every step.

Lighthouse Point federal defense attorney

Joffe Law is South Florida’s trusted law firm for federal criminal cases. If you are under investigation for a federal crime in Lighthouse Point FL, we recommend retaining reputable legal counsel as early as possible. Federal criminal cases begin with an investigation. During the investigation, you may receive a call from a law enforcement agency requesting an interview with you. Never speak with a law enforcement officer before first consulting an attorney. Instead, call a reputable Florida criminal defense attorney who specializes in federal criminal cases. Law enforcement agencies do not always properly advise persons of interest of their constitutional rights, and in some cases, a law enforcement officer may intentionally overstep your rights. Having an attorney present substantially reduces the risk of you being convicted based on an investigation that violated your constitutional rights.

Contact Joffe Law to learn more about how our distinguished Florida criminal defense law firm can possibly help you with your federal legal matter. A member of our team will conduct an interview, and we will thoroughly review the facts of your case.