Criminal accusations can have more consequences than an arrest and a weekend in jail. If you’ve been charged with crimes in Clearwater or the Tampa Bay area, your future could be at stake, especially if you don’t find the right criminal defense lawyer to help your case. At Metcalf Falls, Criminal Defense Attorneys, P.A., we believe that one mistake shouldn’t be enough to ruin your future. We represent good people, taking cases in the Tampa area involving drugs, domestic violence, driving under the influence, and more. Our team is dedicated to straightforward communication with clients and giving honest legal advice in complex situations. Our experience and skills allow us to guide clients to achievable and effective solutions as quickly as possible.
Contact our team today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you with your criminal charges in Clearwater, FL.
Why Should I Choose Metcalf Falls as My Criminal Defense Attorney?
Not everyone has the opportunity to choose who leads their defense in a criminal case. When you can decide who will fight your charges in Clearwater, you deserve a legal team that understands the consequences you’re facing and that shares the same goal: mitigating the fallout and giving you the best future possible. You want a criminal defense attorney who is in it for YOU, not just their bottom line. At Metcalf Falls, our defense lawyers will clearly explain your charges, the possible consequences, and how we can help you fight against these accusations.
Attorney Brett Metcalf started his legal career as a prosecutor in Tampa, prosecuting more than 5,000 cases. He sought convictions in cases involving DUI, domestic violence, gun charges, and RICO. He tried over 100 cases to verdict in his time as a prosecutor. When Brett opened his private criminal defense practice in 2012, he turned his experience of litigating cases towards helping those accused of crimes. His skills and intimate knowledge of the criminal justice system help him pursue the best options for his clients.
How Our Pinellas County Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Serve You
Our criminal defense lawyers are ready to hear your case and can defend you against diverse charges, including:
Driving Under the Influence in Clearwater
Being charged with driving under the influence while driving a car or other vehicle can be life-altering, and a conviction can mean the loss of your independence. The legal limit in Florida is 0.08% Blood Alcohol Concentration. You can be charged with a DUI if your BAC is higher than the legal limit, and you will face time behind bars, fines, and license suspensions. With our skill and experience, the Metcalf Falls DUI defense attorneys are ready to challenge your charges and help you work to get them dropped or reduced.
Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer in Clearwater
Accusations of domestic violence are not to be taken lightly. They threaten your future, and they can also damage your reputation. Domestic violence cases can involve spouses, other family members, and sometimes even ex-partners. Acting quickly is one of the best courses of action. Our domestic violence defense lawyers are ready to hear your story and help you fight for your freedom. Don’t let an exaggerated claim or false allegation affect the rest of your life.
Drug Law Defense Lawyer in Clearwater
Drug laws in Florida carry harsh sentences. You could be charged with distributing, trafficking, or manufacturing drugs and face steep consequences. Convictions can mean years in prison and more hurdles to beat for the rest of your life. With the help of a drug crime defense attorney in Clearwater, you can fight for your freedom and avoid the most devastating consequences of a drug crime conviction.
Violent Crimes Defense Lawyers in Clearwater
Violent crime convictions can follow you throughout your life. You might be accused of attacking someone in the street or being too aggressive when you’ve tried to protect yourself. In some situations, you may be sentenced to serve long periods behind bars or register as a violent offender. You deserve the chance to fight your allegations and protect your freedom. Our violent crime defense lawyers in Clearwater can help you get the chance to get your charges dropped or reduced.
Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer in Clearwater
Sex crime accusations should not be taken lightly. Being accused of a sex crime can ruin your life in the short- and long-term. Some sexual assault cases are the result of false allegations. A conviction can threaten your freedom, privacy, and independence. Contact a sex crimes defense attorney from Metcalf Falls to start your defense as soon as possible. We know how to defend your rights.
Why You Should Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney ASAP
When you’ve been accused of a crime, you have the right to defend yourself, even if you’ve been accused of a violent crime. No matter how hopeless the situation seems, the law assumes that you are innocent until proven guilty. Your defense needs to raise doubts in the jury’s mind whether you are guilty, and that’s why contacting a criminal defense attorney as soon as you can is essential to creating a strong defense.
The prosecution will have already started collecting evidence against you. You need an attorney who knows how law enforcement handles investigations and can conduct their own into the facts of your case. Your defense attorney should also know how to fight to suppress evidence, work to develop effective strategies to get your charges dismissed or reduced, and prepare you for a trial, just in case. In many cases, you may be able to make a plea deal to escape the worst consequences possible, but if you do go to trial, you need a defense lawyer with experience and who is ready to fight for your future.
Metcalf Falls Offers Personalized Defense in Pinellas County
Even though the charges and consequences may be the same, not every criminal defense case will be the same. There are no “one size fits all” defenses. Our approach gets results for our clients in criminal cases.
Step 1: Schedule a Free Consultation
Our team will review your case in a no-pressure, no-obligation consultation. You will share the story of your arrest so that we can find out what happened, decide how we can help, and offer you guidance in your case. We can start investigating your case once we’ve discussed how we can help you.
If you choose not to move forward with our firm, that’s okay. There is no cost or obligation during our free consultation.
Step 2: Intervene Before Charges are Filed
The prosecutor’s office won’t always file charges when you’ve been arrested. We will take an aggressive stance early in your case, which allows us to explore alternatives. By acting preemptively, we have a huge opportunity to avoid formal charges and forego a negative impact on your criminal record.
Step 3: Gather the Facts & Craft Your Defense
Defenses to criminal charges need to be built on the available evidence. Our defense attorneys will scrutinize the gathered evidence, including your testimony about what happened, police reports, lab results, and witness statements, to begin building a defense against your criminal allegations. Early scrutiny can reveal mistakes or oversights in police investigations or give our team an edge in negotiations with the prosecutor’s office. Once we have the whole picture, we can develop a defense option that fits your needs and goals.
Step 4: Pursue Alternative Sentencing Options
Some criminal charges can be resolved using “pretrial diversion programs.” These programs require your participation in exchange for a reduced sentence or dropped charges. They can include a period of probation or community service.
Step 5: File Motions & Prepare for Court
Our criminal defense attorneys will use our skills to find and use every possible resource to make the legal system work for you. Not every case needs to go to trial, but our extensive preparation ensures that going to court is your best option. We’ll argue to exclude improper evidence and admit favorable statements. We will pursue an agreeable plea, but if we can’t reach one with the prosecution, we’ll force them to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
FAQs about Clearwater, FL Criminal Defense
Should I talk to the police if I’m accused of a crime?
You might feel like cooperating with the police and answering their questions is the best way to prove your innocence. Unfortunately, that behavior can land you in even hotter water than you might have been in before. Police are allowed to ask misleading questions. Instead of answering law enforcement’s questions alone, you must wait until a lawyer is present. Politely refuse to answer questions until your lawyer is in the room with you and sit tight.
What’s the difference between a public defender and a private defense lawyer?
Public defenders serve a critical role in our justice system. They represent defendants who cannot afford their own private defense. Unfortunately, public defenders are usually overburdened and overworked. Many do not have the time to focus on one client’s case because they have so many cases to work on. However, a private lawyer can select their cases, meaning they can devote more attention to your needs with more resources available for your defense.
What happens if I’m falsely accused of a crime?
In many situations, like domestic violence or assault, details of the crime are shared after the fact, which means some allegations can be false. When falsely accused of a crime, you need to contact a defense lawyer as soon as possible. Preserve any evidence, like texts or photos, that might contradict your accuser’s story and share this information with your attorney. Your attorney will be able to investigate your claim, using the discovery phase to understand what you’re being accused of doing, and help devise a defense strategy to beat your charges.
Can I get a conviction expunged?
In Florida, it is possible to get some convictions expunged, or removed, from your record. However, only certain convictions can be taken off your record. Violent crimes cannot be expunged, which includes any convictions for sexual assault, trafficking, homicide, arson, kidnapping, or assault or battery.
Where would my trial be in Pinellas County?
If you have been charged with a criminal misdemeanor or felony in Clearwater, your court appearances will be held within the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Pinellas County. It’s possible that some of your hearings can be remote, but talk to your attorney to determine the best approach to which court appearances you need to attend in person or if you can get your case resolved before you have to go to trial.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Pinellas County Justice Center
14250 49th Street
Clearwater, FL 33762
Telephone: (727) 464-6400
E-mail: clerkinfo@mypinellasclerk.gov
Which law enforcement agencies will I deal with in Brandon?
If you’ve been accused of a crime or have been arrested in Brandon, you will most likely be dealing with a member of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. The Clearwater Police Department could also be involved, depending on the nature of your case. If you are arrested, you will be taken to the Hillsborough County Jail.
Pinellas County Jail
14400 49th Street N
Clearwater, FL 33762
(727) 464-6415
Can a juvenile be tried as an adult in Florida?
Yes, in certain cases, juveniles as young as 14 can be tried as an adult in Florida. This option is generally reserved for juveniles who have committed serious felonies or have records as serial offenders. Prosecutors may charge juveniles in adult court to expand the possible punishments. If convicted under adult charges, your child could face the same sentences an adult would face in the same situation. That means they could be sentenced to death, life imprisonment, fines, restitution, or probation.
Connect with a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Clearwater Today
When you’ve been accused of criminal activity in Pinellas County, you do not need to face those charges alone. You deserve the help of a skilled defense lawyer who understands the local justice system and is ready to hear your story. Attorney Brett Metcalf uses his experience as a former prosecutor to build strong defenses for his clients. You have a right to defend yourself. Use our Clearwater criminal defense attorneys to protect your future.
Don’t wait – call (813) 258-4800 or fill out our contact form to get started on your defense today.
