Whether you’ve been accused of driving drunk on US-301 or you’ve been stopped by a boat patrol on the Alafia River, your future is at stake. At Metcalf Falls, Criminal Defense Attorneys, P.A., we know the consequences you face for a criminal conviction. We represent good people in Hillsborough County, including Apollo Beach, Gibsonton, and Lithia. We help our clients fight cases involving DUIs, drugs, domestic violence, and more. Our team communicates clearly with our clients, giving you straightforward legal advice in complex legal situations.
We know that dealing with the law is not something you have to do every day, and we are here to fight by your side. Our experience and skills allow us to find solutions for you as quickly as possible. Contact our team to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help deal with your criminal charges in Riverview, FL.
Why Hiring a Riverview Criminal Defense Attorney Matters
When you’ve been accused of a crime, whether it’s a DUI or domestic violence, you have the right to defend yourself. No matter how hopeless the situation feels, you are innocent until proven guilty. You need a defense that raises doubts about 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 investigation 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.
Why Should I Choose Metcalf Falls for My Defense?
When you have a choice in who leads your defense against criminal charges in Riverview, you deserve a team that shares your goals and isn’t just keeping an eye on their bottom line. At Metcalf Falls, our defense lawyers will clearly explain your charges and help you understand your options.
Attorney Brett Metcalf started his legal career as a prosecutor in Tampa. He prosecuted more than 5,000 cases, including DUIs, domestic violence, drug crimes, gun charges, and RICO cases. He tried over 100 cases to verdict while he was a prosecutor. Brett opened his private criminal defense practice in 2012, using his litigation experience and intimate knowledge of the criminal system to help his clients.
How Our Riverview Defense Attorneys Can Serve You
Our criminal defense attorneys can defend you against various charges, including:
Drug Law Defense Lawyer in Riverview
Drug laws in Florida carry harsh penalties. 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 Riverview, you can fight for your freedom and avoid the most devastating consequences of a drug crime conviction.
Driving Under the Influence in Riverview
Being charged with driving under the influence while driving a car or other vehicle can be stressful, and a conviction can be life-altering. The legal limit for Blood Alcohol Concentration in Florida is 0.08%. You can be charged with a DUI if your BAC is higher than the legal limit. You’re facing 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.
Violent Crimes Defense Lawyers in Riverview
Violent crime convictions can follow you for the rest of your life. You could be accused of attacking someone in the street or using too much force when you’re trying 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 Riverview can help you get the chance to get your charges dropped or reduced.
Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer in Riverview
Accusations of domestic violence not only threaten your future, they also damage your reputation. Domestic violence cases can involve spouses, other family members, and sometimes even ex-partners. Acting quickly is in your best interest. Our domestic violence defense lawyers are ready to hear your story and help you fight for your freedom. Don’t let an overblown claim or false allegation affect the rest of your life.
Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer in Riverview
Being accused of a sex crime can ruin your life in the short- and long-term. Some sexual assault cases are results of false allegations. A conviction can threaten your freedom, privacy, and independence. Don’t take these charges lightly — contact a sex crimes defense attorney from Metcalf Falls to start your defense as soon as you can. We know how to defend your rights.
Metcalf Falls Offers Personalized Defense in Hillsborough 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 out there. 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. We will find out what happened, decide how we can help, and offer you guidance in your case. Once we’ve discussed how we can help you, we can start investigating your case.
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
Just because you’ve been arrested, that doesn’t mean the prosecutor will decide to file charges. 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 to your criminal record.
Step 3: Gather the Facts & Craft Your Defense
Defenses to criminal charges are built on the evidence. Our defense attorneys will scrutinize the available evidence, including your testimony about what happened, police reports, lab results, and witness statements, to begin building a defense against criminal allegations. Preliminary 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 full picture, we can develop a defense option that fits your needs and your goals.
Step 4: Pursue Alternative Sentencing Options
Many criminal charges can be resolved using “pretrial diversion programs.” These programs require participation from the defendants and usually include a period of probation or community service. They offer a resolution to your situation by allowing charges to be dismissed and expunged.
Step 5: File Motions & Prepare for Court
Our criminal defense attorneys will utilize our skills to find and use every resource possible to make the legal system work for you. Not every case needs to go to trial, but our extensive preparation ensures 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 Riverview, FL Criminal Defense
Should I talk to the police if I’m accused of a crime?
You might feel like cooperating with 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 need to 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.
Can I get a Riverview 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.
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.
Where would my trial be in Hillsborough County?
If you have been charged with a criminal misdemeanor or felony in Riverview, your court appearances will be held within the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County. It’s possible that some of your hearings can be remote, but it’s essential to talk to your attorney to determine the best approach to which court appearances you need to make or if you can get your case resolved before you have to go to trial.
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court
George Edgecomb Courthouse
800 E Twiggs St
Tampa, FL 33602
Telephone: (813) 272-5894
E-mail: publicinfo@fljud13.org
Which law enforcement agencies will I deal with in Riverview?
If you’ve been accused of a crime or have been arrested in Riverview, you will most likely be dealing with a member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The Tampa Police Department could also be involved, depending on the nature of your case. In some situations, you may also interact with the Seminole Police Department. If you are arrested, you will be taken to the Hillsborough County Jail.
Hillsborough County Jail, Division I
Orient Road Jail
1201 Orient Road
Tampa, FL 33619
(813) 247-8300
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 Riverview Today
When you’ve been accused of criminal activity in Hillsborough 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 Riverview 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.
