What to Expect When Arrested in Martin County and St. Lucie County, Florida

Stuart, Florida Criminal Defense Attorney, David Kaplow, proudly serves Stuart, Florida, Martin County, and St. Lucie County by providing aggressive and experienced criminal defense lawyer legal representation.

Call (772) 221-2100 to speak with Attorney, David Kaplow about your Criminal Defense legal needs.

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.

Call us Today at (772) 221-2100

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.

Call (772) 221-2100 to schedule a confidential legal consultation with Criminal Defense Attorney, David Kaplow.