Whether you’ve been arrested or are under investigation for a criminal offense, you could be facing jail or prison, fines, probation, and a criminal record. You need a criminal defense lawyer with extensive experience defending the types of crimes that you’ve been charged with.
Attorney Jonathan Blecher represents clients in the following areas and many others:
We represent all levels of charges from traffic infractions to life and capital felonies. Among the most common charges we see at our criminal defense law firm are the following:
Many people underestimate the impact of traffic infractions and crimes. The penalties for traffic charges in Florida can have a big impact on your life.
Property crimes can be charged in conjunction with persons crimes, like robbery, or they may only involve theft or vandalism. These are some of the types of property crimes attorney Blecher defends:
Persons crimes usually involve physical harm to another. The types of persons crimes that attorney Blecher defends include:
Many different types of crimes can also qualify as domestic violence crimes. For example, battery is a domestic violence crime if the victim and offender have a domestic relationship. Domestic relationships include:
Domestic crimes carry additional penalties, including mandatory participation in a 26-week batterer's prevention program. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the types of crimes that our miami criminal defense attorney Jonathan Blecher defends. If you're seeking experienced miami criminal defense lawyers, call our office in Miami, FL if you've been charged with a crime that you don't see listed here. If you have a criminal record in Florida, it can destroy your future.
Perhaps you made a mistake years ago or were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The charges may have been dropped later on or the case could have been dismissed, but it will stay on your record. Anyone will be able to access it and make judgments about you.
If you have a criminal record in Florida, it can destroy your future. Perhaps you made a mistake years ago or were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The charges may have been dropped later on or the case could have been dismissed, but it will stay on your record. Anyone will be able to access it and make judgments about you.
With a criminal record, you’ll have greater challenges ahead, making it harder to:
Cleaning up your record with a record expungement may be an option, depending on the facts of your previous criminal matter. With a record expungement, your record can be deleted in whole or part. This process ensures it will not show up in almost all background checks, making it easier for you to move forward with your life in a positive direction.
If you wish to expunge your criminal record, this lengthy process is something that attorney Jonathan Blecher can help you through. Call today to discuss your situation in complete confidentiality.
Once you are arrested, your mugshot will be accessible to anyone through a simple search on the internet. For many, one small error in the past can burden them for years to come through these arrest photos. You may be trying to start a new career, buy a home, or get approved for a rental property, and this unflattering portrayal of you can cast doubt upon your current character.
Mugshots online are particularly problematic because they can be posted even if you are not found guilty of a crime. It’s not fair since mugshots are taken at the time of arrest, and whether or not you are formally charged with a crime, they stay on the internet forever.
With the help of an attorney, you may also be able to have your record expunged or sealed if your case was dismissed for the following crimes:
Not all mugshot removal websites are regulated and often, many are unsuccessful in completely erasing this part of your past. With the help of Jonathan Blecher, you can remove this haunting relic from your record and start fresh again. Schedule a no-cost case review to discuss how you can have your mugshot permanently removed from the internet.
If you’re under investigation or have just been arrested in Miami-Dade County, what you do in the next few hours can shape the entire outcome of your case. Police and prosecutors are already working against you. You need an experienced Miami criminal defense lawyer working for you.
First, do not talk to law enforcement without a lawyer present. Officers may sound friendly or say they “just want your side of the story,” but anything you say can be used to build a case against you. You are within your rights to calmly say that you want to remain silent and speak with an attorney.
Second, do not consent to searches or “quick looks” of your phone, vehicle, home, or belongings unless your lawyer advises you to. A consent search can destroy defenses you might not even know you had.
Third, contact a lawyer as early as possible—even if you haven’t been arrested yet. When you hire counsel during an investigation, your attorney can deal directly with detectives, help you avoid damaging statements, preserve favorable evidence, and, in some cases, prevent charges from ever being filed. The earlier you bring in a skilled Miami criminal defense attorney, the more options you may have.
The following are the maximum jail or prison penalties and fines for each level of crime in Florida. It’s important to note that many types of offenses carry additional penalties. To learn your actual criminal penalty exposure, contact our criminal defense law firm:
Examples of additional penalties for certain crimes include minimum jail sentences, probation, loss of your driving privileges, mandatory courses, purchase of an ignition interlock device (for DUI cases), and inclusion in the sex offender registry.
Learn MoreIn order to properly defend you against your charges in the criminal justice system, Miami criminal lawyer and defense attorney Jonathan Blecher, along with his dedicated criminal defense team, must examine all aspects of your case. As a criminal defense firm and law firm based in Miami, his law office represents clients facing drug crimes, violent crimes, and other serious charges in both state and federal courts, providing experienced federal criminal defense when a case goes to federal court or when a criminal conviction could have especially severe consequences. Our Miami criminal lawyers draw on decades of experience and recognition from organizations such as National Trial Lawyers to build the strongest defense possible on your behalf. This involves the following steps:
Criminal charges in Miami-Dade can affect anyone, from lifelong Miami residents to visitors who were only in town for a weekend. Our firm represents:
Whoever you are and whatever your background, you deserve a focused, strategic defense designed around your unique situation and goals.
A criminal case in Miami is about much more than what happens in the courtroom. A conviction—or even just an arrest—can follow you for years.
Background checks and public records. Employers, landlords, lenders, and professional boards often run background checks. Arrests, charges, and convictions can appear in these searches, and online arrest records can be embarrassing and harmful. In some situations, you may qualify to seal or expunge your record, but you must meet strict Florida legal requirements and follow specific procedures.
Immigration status. If you are not a U.S. citizen, certain Florida convictions can trigger deportation proceedings, make you inadmissible to the United States, or block you from ever becoming a citizen. Do not plead guilty to any charge in Miami-Dade County without first speaking to a criminal defense lawyer who understands immigration consequences.
Gun rights and civil rights. A criminal conviction can impact your right to possess firearms and may affect other civil rights. In some limited situations, rights can later be restored, but the process is complex and not guaranteed.
A knowledgeable Miami criminal defense attorney from an experienced criminal defense law firm in Miami FL can explain how the charges against you might affect your record, your job, your family, your immigration status, and your future—and help you make decisions with those long-term consequences in mind. Our team of Miami criminal defense lawyers and seasoned criminal defense attorneys understands how even relatively minor criminal offenses can seriously impact your life, which is why building a strong criminal defense as early as possible is so important. Working with a dedicated criminal defense lawyer gives you an advocate focused on protecting your rights and your future at every stage of the case.
Most people facing charges in Miami-Dade County have never been through the criminal process before. Knowing what to expect can reduce some of the fear and confusion.
In many misdemeanor cases and certain hearings, your attorney may be able to appear in Miami-Dade court for you, particularly if you live out of county or out of state. In other situations, your personal appearance is required. A local lawyer can tell you exactly when you must be present and when they can appear on your behalf.
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Many defendants opt for a public defender instead of a private Miami criminal defense attorney, like attorney Blecher. Here are several reasons why this is a bad idea:
As an independent criminal defense lawyer, attorney Jonathan Blecher manages his own caseload. That means he can dedicate the resources to properly represent each client. Jonathan Blecher was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1982 and has four decades of relevant experience. He has an unparalleled track record defending clients just like you
As an independent Miami criminal defense lawyer, attorney Jonathan Blecher manages his own caseload. That means he can dedicate the resources to properly represent each client. Jonathan Blecher was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1982 and has four decades of relevant experience as a criminal defense lawyer. He has an unparalleled track record defending clients just like you.
A driving under the influence arrest in Miami can happen in various ways. Some clients call after leaving a restaurant in Brickell. Others are stopped after a late night in Miami Beach or while driving home from work. No two cases are exactly alike.
Many people think these arrests only involve alcohol, but cases involving prescription medication, marijuana, over-the-counter drugs, or mixed substances appear regularly throughout Miami-Dade County. Somebody may take medication exactly as prescribed and still end up accused of impairment after a traffic stop.
First offense cases are especially common around entertainment areas and major events. A person with no criminal history can suddenly find themselves sitting in jail, wondering how one night turned into this mess. Those situations are stressful due to license concerns, court dates, insurance problems, and questions from employers.
Repeat offense allegations usually have far more pressure from prosecutors. Judges often look at prior history when deciding bond conditions, probation terms, or sentencing exposure. In some situations, charges may even become felonies.
Cases involving accidents require a deeper investigation from the start. Police officers frequently make quick assumptions at chaotic scenes, and important details can get missed. Somebody can easily be blamed before investigators fully understand what actually happened.
Drug-related cases create more difficulty because there is rarely one clear test showing impairment. Prosecutors often rely on officer observations and roadside exercises that are highly subjective. A tired driver, a nervous college student, or somebody dealing with anxiety may appear impaired even when they are not.
Commercial drivers face different risks altogether. One arrest can threaten an entire livelihood. Underage drivers and college students also face serious consequences that may follow them long after the criminal case ends.
Some people contact our office believing their situation is minor because nobody was injured. Others assume their case is hopeless because they failed a breath test, but the reality usually falls somewhere in the middle.
The first few days after an arrest are usually overwhelming. Most people have never dealt with the court system before, so even basic procedures feel confusing. Questions include: Will my license be suspended? Am I going to jail again? What happens at court?
Everything usually begins with a traffic stop. An officer may claim somebody was speeding, drifting between lanes, braking late, or driving unpredictably. After the stop, the police begin looking for signs they associate with impairment, such as bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, confusion, alcohol odor, or delayed responses.
Roadside exercises frequently follow. Drivers may be asked to balance on one leg, walk heel to toe, or perform coordination tests while standing beside traffic with flashing lights nearby. Those conditions are uncomfortable even for completely sober people. Nerves alone can affect performance.
Police may then request breath or blood testing. Some drivers refuse because they panic. Others agree because they think cooperating will help them. Either way, the situation quickly becomes serious.
After an arrest, a person is generally transported for booking and processing. Fingerprints, photographs, paperwork, and holding procedures come next. Some people are released fairly quickly. Others remain in custody longer, depending on the allegations involved.
One thing many drivers do not realize is that two separate cases are often happening at once. The criminal case moves through the court while the license suspension process moves through the state system on a completely different track.
Waiting too long to respond can eliminate options before somebody even understands what is happening. Missing hearings or ignoring notices creates larger problems later.
Prosecutors usually review officer reports, body camera footage, witness statements, chemical testing records, and video evidence before deciding how aggressively to pursue the case. Sometimes the evidence appears stronger on paper than it does in reality. Reports can contain inconsistencies, and video occasionally tells a different story.
A lot of people walk away from an arrest assuming the case is already finished, but police accusations still have to hold up in court, and evidence still has to survive legal challenges.
Early legal guidance matters because valuable evidence can disappear quickly. Surveillance footage may get erased within days. Witness memories fade, and small details that seem unimportant in the moment sometimes become central to the defense later.
Every defense starts with asking if the police handled the investigation correctly. Traffic stops are often challenged because officers must have a lawful reason to pull somebody over. If the stop was improper, later evidence may also become vulnerable.
Roadside exercises create another major issue in many cases. These tests are subjective by nature. A person dealing with exhaustion, anxiety, balance problems, old injuries, or medical conditions may perform poorly even while sober. Somebody standing on uneven pavement beside fast-moving traffic at midnight is not in a calm environment.
Breath-testing evidence is not inherently perfect because the machines require maintenance and calibration. Operators must follow proper procedures, and certain medical conditions and outside factors may affect results.
Blood testing cases often involve technical questions about storage, handling, documentation, and laboratory procedures. A mistake anywhere in the chain can raise concerns about reliability.
Police reports sometimes contain contradictions as well. An officer may describe behavior, but their body camera footage shows something different. Time stamps, dispatch records, and surveillance videos occasionally expose details that prosecutors were not expecting.
Timing also matters in alcohol-related allegations. Alcohol absorption rates vary from person to person. Somebody may test above the legal limit later, even though they were below it while driving.
Constitutional protections remain important in these investigations. Police officers cannot ignore legal rules simply because they suspect impairment. Unlawful searches, improper questioning, or procedural shortcuts can create strong defense opportunities.
Defense strategy also depends heavily on the person facing the charge. A university student facing a first arrest requires a different approach than a professional driver, pilot, nurse, or business owner worried about licensing consequences.
Most successful defenses do not come from dramatic courtroom speeches. Strong cases are usually built through preparation, careful evidence review, and identifying weaknesses.
A lawyer who regularly handles cases in Miami-Dade County understands how prosecutions are commonly approached. That familiarity helps when evaluating evidence, negotiating resolutions, and preparing for hearings.
Police enforcement patterns also change depending on location. Traffic enforcement on Miami Beach weekends is different from Kendall or Coral Gables. Areas around nightlife districts and large events often bring increased patrol activity and more aggressive enforcement.
Relationships and credibility matter inside local courtrooms. Prosecutors and judges repeatedly deal with familiar attorneys over time. Professional reputation can influence negotiations, scheduling flexibility, and the overall handling of a case.
Practical issues also matter since court dates arrive quickly. Administrative deadlines appear almost immediately after an arrest. Having a local attorney who understands the system can make the process far less stressful.
Tourists are sometimes arrested while visiting Miami. Many leave Florida worried they will need to return constantly for hearings and paperwork. Local representation often helps simplify those concerns.
Drivers with immigration issues or professional licenses usually need especially careful guidance because consequences may extend far beyond criminal court. A quick plea that sounds harmless at first can create major problems later.
Some clients contact our office after speaking with firms that made unrealistic promises right away. Honest advice matters in these situations. To learn more, please contact us. We can schedule your initial consultation with Jonathan B. Blecher, P.A.
If you’ve been arrested for a crime in Miami, Florida, or possibly under investigation, you need to take the matter seriously. Call Jonathan Blecher immediately to discuss your case.
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2525 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Suite 300
Coral Gables FL 33134
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