North Miami Beach Criminal Defense Attorney
North Miami Beach has dramatically changed since its founding. After originally being named Fulford-by-the Sea in 1926 in honor of Captain William H. Fulford of the United States Coast Guard, the city was renamed North Miami Beach in 1932.
Today, North Miami Beach is home to more than 44,000 individuals who hail from diverse backgrounds. In fact, the city has a has a large middle class Haitian-American and Jewish-American community who were born in the U.S. or abroad, as well as a diverse mix of Haitian, Cuban, Columbian, and Jamaican residents. Popular destinations in the North Miami Beach area include a host of Atlantic Ocean beaches, Aventura Mall, Fulford-by-the Sea Monument, along with Oleta River State, Greynolds and East Greynolds parks.
Despite the cultural diversity and attractions of North Miami Beach, violent crime continues to be a growing problem — the city’s violent crime rate is one of the highest in the nation, across communities of all sizes. If you have been charged with a violent crime in North Miami Beach, the repercussions will be long lasting. You face a lengthy prison sentence, and rejoining the community and the workforce after your release will be very difficult. The best way to protect your freedom and your future is to work with an experienced violent crimes attorney.
Valiente, Carollo and McElligott PLLC, conveniently located in Miami, provides aggressive representation to individuals who have been charged with violent crimes in North Miami Beach. We know that being accused of a crime is an overwhelming experience and you may not know where to turn. When you become our client, we will take the time to explain all of your rights and work tirelessly to defend you. Above all, we believe that anyone who has been accused of a violent crime is innocent until proven guilty and should have a top notch criminal defense attorney.
Types of Violent Crimes in North Miami Beach
Some of the common violent crimes that Valiente, Carollo and McElligott PLLC handles include:
- Assault — Under Florida law, this offense is defined as an intentional, unlawful threat by word or an act of violence by one person against another. If a deadly weapon is used during the commission of the crime, the charge may be elevated to aggravated assault.
- Battery — Although often associated with assault, battery occurs when someone in North Miami Beach intentionally touches, strikes, or causes bodily harm to another individual against his or her will.
- Robbery — This offense involves the taking money or property from another person through the use of force, violence, assault or putting the victim in fear of harm. Robbery is a second-degree felony unless the crime involves the use of a weapon, in which case robbery is charged as a first-degree felony.
- Sexual battery/rape — Prosecutors in Florida take this crime very seriously, which involves forcing or attempting to force another person into sexual intercourse or sexual contact. Rape, indecent assault, and sodomy are forms of sexual battery in North Miami Beach, a first-degree felony.
- Domestic Violence — This crime involves acts or threats of violence against any person with whom the accused has or had a close relationship. This includes current or former spouses, parents, children, romantic partners, or household members. Domestic violence in North Miami Beach may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances, such as whether the victim was injured.
- Manslaughter — This crime is defined as the killing of another person without lawful justification. Voluntary manslaughter occurs when a person intentionally commits an act that results in death, regardless of whether the death was intended. Involuntary manslaughter can be charged when the defendant’s reckless or negligent conduct results in the death of another. Examples include DUI manslaughter and vehicular
manslaughter. - Murder — Murder in North Miami Beach involves the deliberate, unlawful taking of a human life, which can be charged as first or second-degree murder depending on the circumstances, such as whether there was prior thought or planning (premeditation) or whether there was no premeditation but the death was intentional.
Contact Our North Miami Beach Criminal Defense Lawyer
Being accused of a violent crime is a serious matter and a conviction will have lasting consequences such as a lengthy prison sentence, fines, and probation. If you are convicted of a felony, you will also lose some of your rights, such as the right to vote and the right to own or possess a weapon. In addition, being convicted of a violent crime in North Miami Beach means you will have a permanent criminal record which may damage your reputation and make it difficult to find a job or a place to live. This is why you must work with the right criminal defense attorney.
The violent crimes attorneys at Valiente, Carollo and McElligott PLLC will conduct an extensive investigation to learn the facts of your case. This includes obtaining and reviewing the police report to determine if any of your civil rights were violated. As an example, we will look to determine if the police violated your rights by conducting an unlawful search and seizure. In any case, we will choose the best line of defense and work tirelessly to protect your freedom and your future. If you have been charged with a violent crime in North Miami Beach, the sooner you call Valiente, Carollo and McElligott PLLC, the sooner we can begin defending you. Contact our office today to learn how we can help.