If you are facing criminal charges in Largo, Florida, the criminal defense law firm at Trevena, Pontrello and Associates, may be able to provide you with the legal defense you need and deserve. When your reputation, your freedom, and your record are on the line, Trevena, Pontrello, & Associates can stand by your side, offering you legal counsel to protect your rights. Criminal charges and arrest are not the same as conviction. You are innocent until proven guilty. You have the right to remain silent and to ask to speak to a lawyer. While the legal system can be overwhelming to navigate, you have the right to legal representation, either through a public defender, or by hiring a private criminal defense lawyer like Trevena, Pontrello and Associates. A private criminal defense lawyer can offer you the personalized attention you need.
If you are facing criminal charges or have been arrested in Largo, Florida, the criminal defense law firm of Trevena, Pontrello and Associates are here for you. Our firm can review your case, look at the circumstances surrounding your arrest, and take the time to review the evidence police have gathered against you. In some cases, the prosecution makes critical errors when it comes to handling the chain of evidence or the facts of your case. In other instances, police fail to follow proper protocol. In other instances, individuals are offered plea deals and wonder whether they should take them. Trevena, Pontrello and Associates are criminal defense attorneys in Largo, Florida who specialize in cases involving police misconduct and errors of prosecution. Whether you are facing charges for DUI, theft, murder, or white-collar crime, our firm may be able to help you.
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Largo, Florida, you may have many questions. For example, you might wonder whether you should take a plea deal, whether your arrest was legal, or whether you should let a public defender handle your case.
• Should I take a plea deal? If you are being offered a plea deal, should you take it? While it might be tempting to take a plea deal, it is important to understand the strength of the case against you before accepting or rejecting a plea deal. While, in some instances accepting a plea deal is in a client’s best interest, accepting a plea deal in all cases may not always be the best choice. Trevena | James Attorneys At Law are criminal defense lawyers in Largo, Florida who can review the evidence that police have and expose any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. If you are innocent, you need a criminal defense attorney who will be able to present the strongest possible case to defend your innocence. John H. Trevena’s experience as a former police officer and Assistant State Attorney uniquely positions him to understand how the prosecution and police might try to present your case. Given this knowledge, our attorneys can help you understand what options you might have and what path might be best for you to take.
• What are my rights if I’m stopped for questioning by police? If you are stopped for questioning, you have the right to ask whether you are under arrest. If you are not under arrest, you are under no obligation to speak to officers. However, if you are arrested, according to the ACLU, you have the right to ask to speak to your lawyer. You also have the right to assert your right to remain silent. Unfortunately, simply remaining silent may not be an option, due to a recent Supreme Court ruling, so you may need to assert your right to remain silent. This means that you must tell officers that you wish to remain silent.
• Was my arrest legal? According to the ACLU, you have the legal right to refuse to let the police search your vehicle or person. Police officers must have probable cause to stop you, which means that they must believe that a crime is in progress or must have seen you break the law. If you believe you have been racially profiled, you may have the right to fight your charges and possibly win because any evidence gathered may not be admissible in court. Furthermore, if you tell officers that you don’t consent to a search and a search is performed, this evidence may also not be admissible in court.
• Should I accept the services of a public defender? While the legal services of public defenders are offered free of charge if you can’t afford the services of a lawyer, and this is your Constitutional right, it is important to understand that public defenders have a very high caseload. According to a New York Times investigative report, many public defenders are incredibly overworked. In some cases, the Times noted that many public defenders only had several hours for each client. Unfortunately, because they have such a high caseload, many public defenders sometimes advise their clients to take a plea deal. However, had the public defender the time to review the case, they might have found that the state’s case was not so strong. When it comes to defending your freedom, your reputation, and your rights, you need a criminal defense lawyer who has the time to devote attention to your case. Trevena | James Attorneys At Law are criminal defense attorneys in Largo, Florida who can devote the time and personalized attention to your case you need and deserve.
Trevena, Pontrello and Associates are criminal defense lawyers with 30 years of legal practice. If you’re facing time in prison, let our time working to defend clients over the years serve you. Your freedom is too important. Take the time to speak to a criminal defense lawyer you can trust.
Whether you are facing charges for white collar crime, charges for a DUI, vehicular manslaughter, drug charges, theft charges, or other criminal charges, having a conviction on your record can affect you for years to come. The immediate consequences of a conviction can be jail time, fines, and probation, but the long-term collateral consequences of a conviction include having a criminal record which can impact your ability to get certain jobs. Having a conviction can also impact your ability to access certain federal and state programs, like financial aid for education or public housing assistance. You need a criminal defense lawyer in Largo, Florida who can help you navigate the challenges of the legal system. Trevena, Pontrello and Associates is a criminal defense law firm in Largo, Florida who prides itself on offering each client the personalized attention he or she deserves. Let us review your case and help you understand your options (from accepting or rejecting a plea deal or asking for diversion programs for drug charges). If you are facing criminal charges, you might feel cornered and overwhelmed. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Let Trevena, Pontrello and Associates, criminal defense lawyers in Largo, Florida show you the way.
Criminal Appeals
Criminal Defense
Post Conviction Relief
Trevena, Pontrello and Associates is a boutique law firm practicing in the areas of Criminal Law and Criminal Appeals.
Address
2401 W Bay Drive
Suite 127
Largo FL 33770
Phone
(727) 581-5813
(727) 403-3731
