Strong Defense for Your Florida Criminal Charge
Sarasota criminal defense lawyer Erika Valcarcel has the experience and dedication to fight for you when you’ve been charged with a crime in Sarasota or Manatee counties. Her 20 years of experience include several years prosecuting criminal cases in both counties prior to starting her defense practice, and handling thousands of criminal cases.
Valcarcel is a passionate advocate for people charged with crimes because she believes strongly that you deserve justice and a fair process. She’ll use her knowledge of the local courts and Florida criminal laws to construct a strong defense on your behalf and work to get you the best possible result for your charge.
Erika Valcarcel is a Sarasota criminal defense and trial lawyer who can represent you through any part of the criminal process, from start to finish. It’s never too early to seek the help of a good criminal defense lawyer — even if you haven’t yet been arrested or charged but are merely under investigation. Erika Valcarcel, Criminal Defense Lawyer, P.A. can help you with:
- Police investigations
- DNA investigations
- Police questioning
- Searches and seizures
- Arrests
- Service of warrants
- Withholding Adjudication
- Arraignments
- Bail hearings
- Pretrial hearings
- Bench or jury trials
- Appeals
- Probation or parole violation hearings
- Expungements and record sealing
Contact Erika Valcarcel, Criminal Defense Lawyer, P.A. today to schedule a free consultation and to learn how Erika Valcarcel can help you with your charge.
Consequences of a Florida Criminal Conviction
Florida criminal charges can range from minor misdemeanors to capital offenses — those punishable with the death penalty. Even a relatively minor charge can result in jail time, while serious felonies can lead to decades or even life in prison.
However, the ways that a criminal conviction can affect your life aren’t limited to incarceration. Even a seemingly minor offense can haunt you for years to come. Depending on the nature and circumstances of your charge, consequences of a Florida criminal conviction are varied and can include:
- A jail or prison sentence
- House arrest
- Probation
- Expensive fines and court fees
- An order to complete alcohol or substance treatment or other types of classes
- Loss of your driver’s license
- Acquiring a permanent criminal record that can affect your job or career
- Loss of your right to vote or own a firearm
- Loss or denial of a professional license to work in your chose career, such as law, medicine, teaching, nursing, or pharmacy
- Effects on your child custody or visitation rights
- Changes to your immigration status if you’re a non-citizen, including loss of your immigration visa or green card, denial of your citizenship application, and/or deportation to your native country
Your best chance at avoiding or minimizing the effects of a conviction is with the help of an experienced Florida criminal defense attorney such as Erika Valcarcel who can defend you in court and fight to get your charge dismissed or reduced.