Miami Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Miami, FL

When you’re facing criminal charges in Miami, FL, your future and livelihood are in jeopardy. By trusting in an experienced Miami criminal defense attorney, you can walk into the courtroom prepared and with confidence. The Law Offices of Barry M. Wax offer legal representation for individuals throughout Florida and the United States. No matter if it’s a serious felony, such as drug trafficking, or a misdemeanor like theft, we know that your case is the most important thing in your life. And that makes it important to the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax.

Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been arrested, don’t waste valuable time by taking a “wait and see” attitude. If you don’t take action before you have to go to court, you’re letting valuable time go by – a time when an experienced criminal defense attorney in Miami can be very effective. The time between arrest and your first court date is crucial and can be used to try to have charges dismissed or reduced. At the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax, we commence work on your case immediately to get results that benefit our clients.

Do you want a criminal defense attorney who responds to your questions and gives you honest answers? Then schedule a consultation today.

Types of Criminal Defense Cases We Handle

At the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax, we provide experienced defense for individuals facing serious federal charges. Some of the cases we handle include:

• Federal bank fraud: Allegations of check fraud, mortgage fraud, or false statements to banks require a strong defense based on financial record analysis. U.S. consumers lose about $12.5 billion annually to fraud.
• Federal bribery: We defend clients accused of offering or accepting unlawful payments, challenging intent and government proof. In 2024, almost 62,000 cases of federal bribery were reported in the nation.
• Federal child pornography defense: We scrutinize warrants, digital evidence, and constitutional protections.
• Federal conspiracy defense: Conspiracy charges can expand liability, so we challenge weak evidence and broad claims.
• Federal cybercrime defense: We defend against hacking, identity theft, and online fraud.
• Federal embezzlement: We examine financial records and intent in cases alleging misappropriation of funds.
• Federal firearms charges: From unlawful possession to trafficking, we evaluate defenses under federal law. This is one of the most common charges handled on a federal level.
• Federal forfeiture proceedings: We fight to protect assets seized by the government, even without conviction. Federal money laundering. We challenge the government’s interpretation of complex financial transactions.
• Federal narcotics charges: From trafficking to conspiracy, we fight mandatory minimums and improper searches.
• Federal public corruption: We defend public officials and private individuals accused of bribery, fraud, or abuse of power.
• Federal unlawful employment of aliens defense: We represent businesses and individuals accused of hiring undocumented workers.

Criminal Law in Florida and the 10-20-Life Statute

If you or someone close to you were arrested for a criminal offense in Florida, it’s essential that you understand how criminal law works throughout the state and what your rights are during a case. Florida is well-known for having some of the harshest and most meticulous criminal laws of any state in the country. In addition to its strict punishments for criminal offenses, Florida also has unique rules in place to combat repeat offenders and violent offenses.

Some of the state’s unique criminal legislation includes its “three strikes law.” This law states that any individual who is charged with certain violent felonies will face drastically increasing punishments with each subsequent charge they receive. The three strikes law is also commonly known as the “10-20-life” law across Florida because it requires a judge to implement mandatory minimum sentences of 10, 20, or 25+ years in prison. It’s important to know that this law only applies to certain violent crimes, such as assault and aggravated child abuse, but it can impact your case immensely.

FAQs About Miami Criminal Defense Law

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in Florida?

The cost of hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Florida depends on the severity of the charges, the lawyer’s experience, and whether the case goes to trial. Misdemeanor cases generally cost less, while felony cases require more effort from the attorney and therefore come at a greater cost. There may be additional costs for experts, investigators, and court filings.

What Is the Difference Between a Criminal Lawyer and a Defense Attorney?

The terms criminal lawyer and defense attorney are often used interchangeably, but they have a slight difference. A criminal lawyer is a broad term that can refer to any attorney who focuses on criminal law, including defense lawyers and prosecutors. A defense attorney represents individuals accused of committing crimes, protecting their constitutional rights, and advocating for reduced penalties or dismissal.

What Do Criminal Defense Lawyers Do?

A criminal defense lawyer represents individuals charged with crimes, whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony. Their responsibilities include investigating the facts, reviewing police reports, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and identifying constitutional violations, such as illegal searches or improper interrogations. They negotiate plea deals with prosecutors, argue motions, argue motions to suppress evidence, and argue before the jury in your defense.

What Is the Hardest Crime to Defend?

The hardest crimes to defend are typically those involving severe violence or overwhelming evidence, such as murder, child sexual assault, and federal conspiracy cases. Murder is particularly challenging due to emotional jury reactions, forensic evidence, and the potential for life sentences or the death penalty. The difficulty lies in navigating the jury’s perception in addition to gathering sufficient evidence.

Our Firm’s Criminal Defense Services

At the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax, our devotion to our clients and their individual cases is what sets us apart from other firms. With more than three decades of practice in criminal law, our head attorney is able to provide proficient defense representation for almost any criminal offense in the state of Florida. Some of the defense services our firm is proud to offer include:

1. Assault: Assault occurs when someone intentionally threatens another individual with words or violence, consequently creating a well-founded fear that the victim would be harmed. Because this offense does not involve actual physical harm, it is generally categorized as a second or first-degree misdemeanor. Our firm has settled numerous assault cases and is prepared to see how we can assist you in yours today.
2. Battery: While assault involves an imminent threat of harm, battery occurs when someone intentionally causes physical harm to another person. It can also occur when an individual makes physical contact, such as touching or striking, against a victim’s will. Battery is generally a first-degree misdemeanor. However, a defendant can face a third-degree felony if their behavior results in the victim having a severe physical injury, disfigurement, or disability. Learn your rights in a Miami battery case with the help of our lead attorney.
3. Drug Possession: The possession of illegal drugs is one of the most common drug crimes in Florida. Depending on the type of drug the defendant had and the amount of it that was present, they may be arrested for anything from a first-degree misdemeanor up to a first-degree felony. Our firm has firsthand experience dealing with the intensity of Florida’s drug laws and has the knowledge needed to defend you against them.
4. Domestic Violence: Physical abuse, emotional abuse, and even financial abuse can all be forms of domestic violence when they are committed against people who the defendant shares an intimate relationship with. Domestic violence charges range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity of the charge. For example, if someone is charged with aggravated child abuse as a form of domestic violence, their offense may be considered a first-degree felony.
5. Driving Under the Influence (DUI): It is against the law to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Florida, you may be arrested for a DUI if you have a blood alcohol level that is 0.08% or higher. To help prevent repeat offenses, the penalties for a DUI increase greatly with each offense and can be charged as a felony by your third conviction. Talk to the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax if you’re facing DUI charges in Miami.
6. Fraud Crimes: Fraud can come in a wide range of forms and permanently impact your life if you’re convicted. Our firm provides defense services for a collection of fraud offenses, including healthcare fraud, Medicare fraud, identity fraud, and pharmaceutical fraud. To learn about what you’ll face during a fraud case in Miami, feel free to reach out.
7. Identity Theft: Identity theft is a serious crime that happens when one person steals the identifying information of another individual and uses it to commit other crimes. This can occur if a defendant steals someone’s social security number, their credit card number, or even their driver’s license number and passes it off as their own.
8. Money Laundering: Money laundering is a white-collar crime that can come with harsh penalties. This offense occurs when someone conceals, transfers, or conducts suspicious financial transactions to use money they do not own illegally. Depending on the amount of money that was laundered, a defendant can face a first, second, or third-degree felony in Miami.
9. Manslaughter: Manslaughter is a form of homicide that occurs when an individual kills another person without the intent to do so. It is considered an “accidental killing” and is classified as a second-degree felony in Florida. Manslaughter cases are intense and can become convoluted quickly, which is why having an experienced legal team is a necessity.
10. Robbery: Robbery is an offense that takes place when one person intentionally uses or threatens violence to take property that does not belong to them. Because robbery involves the use of force, it is already considered a felony in Florida. However, an individual who is charged with aggravated robbery can face second-degree felony charges. If you were accused of robbery in Miami, reach out to our defense team as soon as you can.
11. Theft: Theft in Florida is divided into two categories, known as petty theft and grand theft. If an individual steals something and the value is under $750, it is considered petty theft and is a second-degree misdemeanor. If someone steals property that is valued over $750, the charge then becomes a felony and will increase in severity as the value of the stolen property increases.

This is not a comprehensive list. We defend all criminal charges, whether in state or federal court. If you don’t see your charges above, get in touch with the Law Offices of Barry M. Wax today for more information.

Miami Criminal Defense Law Resources:

• White Collar vs. Blue vs. Green: Understanding the Colors of Crime in Florida
• Federal Conspiracy Charges & How to Defend in Florida
• How to Find the Best Federal Defense Lawyer in Miami, FL
• Federal Criminal Laws and Penalties Explained
• A Step-by-Step Guide to Federal Grand Jury Proceedings
• What Should I Look for in a Miami Criminal Defense Attorney?
• Federal Healthcare Fraud Statute of Limitations
• Understanding Federal Sentencing Guidelines
• Common Hollywood Myths About Criminal Defense – Don’t Listen to the Movies