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What to Expect When Arrested in Martin County and
St. Lucie County, Florida
Stuart Criminal
Defense Attorney & Lawyer, serving Stuart, Florida, Martin County,
and St. Lucie County by providing aggressive and experienced
criminal defense legal representation.
 If
you were arrested for breaking a criminal law and have not bonded
out of jail, you will have first appearance the following day.
Usually done by video link from the county jail, at this time the
judge will review the arrest affidavit to determine if there was
probable cause for your arrest and he will review the bond amount.
If you can post bond, you will be released from jail.
Your next court date
will be an arraignment by which time the state attorney's office
will have filed formal charges against you. If you have already met
with and retained Criminal Defense Attorney David Kaplow, you will
not have to appear for this court date. He will enter a plea of not
guilty on your behalf and your case will be set on a judge's docket
call, at which you must appear.
David Kaplow will
obtain all police reports, witness statements and all other evidence
intended to be used against you. He will discuss the facts of your
case, as well as, all possible defenses. From the moment David
Kaplow is retained to represent you, he is in contact with the state
attorney prosecuting your case in an effort to obtain a favorable
resolution for you. He will research and determine if there are
appropriate motions to be filed that would result in either the
suppression of evidence or a dismissal of your case.
It is imperative that you contact
our office as soon as possible. Early intervention will
often product the most favorable results. Contact
us at
(772) 221-2100 or us
our
online case evaluation form.
First Appearance
on the Treasure Coast is usually done by video link
from the county jail. A judge will read the arrest
affidavit and determine if there was probable cause
for an arrest and will review and set a bond amount.
Arrest Affidavit
is a sworn statement by the arresting officer that
will state the facts and the probable cause for the
arrest.
Probable Cause
is a set of facts and circumstances known to an
officer that would reasonably warrant the belief
that an offense was committed or is being committed.
This is a more than suspicion, but less than proof
beyond a reasonable doubt.
Bond
is a money or property, real or personal, that is
deposited with the court to ensure that the accused
person will appear in court when required to do so.
Once the case is resolved, the security deposited
will be returned even if the defendant is ultimately
convicted. However, the security deposit is
forfeited once the defendant fails to appear in
court or violates any conditions of the bond.
Arraignment
is the procedure where the accused is brought before
the court to plead to the criminal charges against
them. The charge is read and the accused is asked to
plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Docket Call
is when the judge gathers and calls all of the
open cases in court. The defendants with
their attorneys are asked if they are setting the
case for a plea of no contest or guilty or, if they
will be requesting a continuance or, if they are
pleading not guilty and setting the case for trial.
As a law firm which provides professional criminal defense legal services, we are experienced,
prepared, and well qualified to represent you in
even the most difficult of legal challenges you may
be facing. We are well versed in
criminal
law
and know how to apply the law to your specific
legal needs and goals.
If
you require professional legal advice and
representation regarding
criminal defense matters, contact our office at
(772) 221-2100
to schedule a confidential, legal consultation with an
experienced attorney & lawyer.
Stuart Criminal
Defense Attorney & Lawyer, serving Stuart, Florida, Martin County,
and St. Lucie County by providing aggressive and experienced
criminal defense legal representation. |
