Z Law Firm

  Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney | June 8, 2022 | Z Law Firm When facing criminal charges, it is imperative to seek counsel from an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney.  Many Law Firms will proudly tell you that they handle any case; whether it be a Personal Injury, Family Law, or a Criminal Defense Case.  What should concern you, is how this type of firm can be up to date on all of the constant changes to statutes and rules of procedure. This year, we faced a significant change to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.992 which deals with the Criminal Punishment Code Scoresheet.  The amendment was made following the Florida Supreme Court's ruling in State of Florida v. Gabriel , 314 So.3d 1243 (Fla. 2021) .  The issue was whether the lowest permissible sentence (LPS) could be applied if it exceeded the statutory maximum sentence.  For instance, if you were being sentenced on a third-degree felony, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of five-years, could the sentence e

  Drug Trafficking   Z Law Firm | May 12, 2022 | Drug Trafficking When I meet with clients or family members of clients who have been charged with a drug trafficking offense , one of the first comments I often here is, “but they were not caught selling to anyone.”  The harsh reality is the Trafficking is nothing more than Possession plus weight.  The problem is that your case grows from a minor felony charge to a serious felony charge punishable by minimum-mandatory terms of incarceration with significant fines.    “I Have Been Arrested for Trafficking, Now What?” If you have been arrested and charged with a Drug Trafficking offense, it is imperative that you speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney to guide you through the complex issues.  One of the first determinations that will need to be made is whether you have a Nebbia Hold that is preventing you from bonding out of jail.  A Nebbia hold allows the Court to make an inquiry regarding the source of funds that a

DUI Attorney Seminole County If you have been arrested and charged with DUI, it is important to understand the potential serious penalties a DUI conviction can carry.  Even if this is your first DUI offense, a DUI conviction can effect you personally, professionally, and financially.  Unlike most other criminal offenses, a DUI requires mandatory sanctions that leave Judges with very little discretion. Because of the harsh penalties that can result from a DUI conviction, it is important for you to consider consulting with an experienced Seminole County DUI Attorney.   DUI Penalties Criminal Conviction: even if this is your first criminal offense, a Court is required by law to impose a criminal conviction.  This means that you will have a permanent mark on your background that will not be able to be sealed or expunged. Probation: the Court is required to impose a period of one-year of supervised probation. Fines: the Court has discretion to impose a fine of no less than

Orlando Criminal Defense and DUI: How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Fight to Preve... : Criminal Defense Attorney Very often when I consult with a potential client, I will routinely hear, “I will give you a call once I get a c...

Orlando Criminal Defense and DUI: How to Fight Your Orlando DUI : DUI Attorney Orlando If you have been arrested and charged with a DUI, you undoubtedly are experiencing feelings of uncertainty and angst...

DUI Attorney Orlando If you have been arrested and charged with a DUI, you undoubtedly are experiencing feelings of uncertainty and angst.   A criminal conviction for DUI can effect you personally, professionally, and financially.   Even if this is your first DUI, the penalties can be severe. With so much on the line, it is important for you to consult with an experienced Orlando DUI Attorney who has experience and knowledge of Florida DUI laws.   This experience could mean the difference between a criminal conviction and having your charges reduced or dismissed. DUI Penalties Unlike most other criminal cases, DUI offenses leave the Court very little discretion when it comes to sentencing.   For a first-time DUI offender , some of the potential penalties that they may face include: Conviction: even if this is your first criminal offense, the Florida Legislature requires the Court to enter a mandatory conviction.   This means that you will have a permanent criminal r

Criminal Defense Attorney Very often when I consult with a potential client, I will routinely hear, “I will give you a call once I get a court date.”   Although this may seem like sound judgment; the truth is, waiting that long can be devastating to your case.   As a former prosecutor, I understand that the typical criminal investigation involves a law enforcement officer making an arrest, oftentimes on what is barely probable cause, and then turning the case over to the State Attorney’s Office.   From there, a Prosecutor will review the charging affidavit, many times without consulting with any witnesses, and then make a formal charging decision.   The problem is that the decision is made solely on what is contained within the four corners of the charging affidavit. Rather than waiting for a court date, much can be gained from attacking a case at the intake phase before the Prosecutor ever makes a formal charging decision.   When I sit down with a potential client, I like to g