Our Legal Blog

What are Aggravating Factors?

• June 8, 2021
• Lawyer Michael Panella
• Criminal Defense

If you’re charged with a crime, there are issues that may increase your sentence, so you should ask yourself, what are aggravating factors? There are factors that increase the seriousness of the crime while others make the sentence harsher. Through these laws, the Florida legislature tells the public that some circumstances are worse than others, so there’s extra punishment to discourage the crimes.

What are aggravating factors? They vary with the crime. An aggravating factor in a DUI (having a child in the car at the time of the arrest, for example) is not the same as a robbery (committed with a firearm).

Criminal defense attorney Michael Panella understands the complexity of criminal prosecution and sentencing. There are many moving parts to the process, and he’ll work hard to get the best outcome possible for you. If you’re charged with a crime or subject to a criminal investigation, call him today at 407-233-1822.

What are Examples of Aggr

Read More

How Do I Beat A Felony Drug Charge?

• June 2, 2021
• Lawyer Michael Panella
• Drug Charges

If you wonder how do I beat a felony drug charge, you may recognize that you face an uphill battle. Without legal representation, that fight will be even harder. The United States has made it clear for the last few decades that drugs and drug trafficking are going to be punished severely. What started off as local level enforcement quickly turned into a plethora of federal crimes and punishments intended to staunch the flow of drugs across state and national borders. Florida has become a prime location for federal and state law enforcement attention, clamping down on both commercial trafficking and individual users. Each year we have seen more laws and more punishments aimed at reducing serious drug crime. Unfortunately, many individuals whose offenses were relatively minor have found themselves being punished severely for felonies and crimes meant for much bigger problems than simple drug usage.

Drug Charges Should Not Be Ignored

Even a first-time drug felony violation

Derek Chauvin Awaits Sentencing While Society Awaits Change

• May 11, 2021
• Lawyer Michael Panella
• Criminal Defense

Many Black Americans have died at the hands of police officers over the years. Sometimes promises of change are made while funerals are being planned. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers have met their fate at the hands of the police. George Floyd was one of them. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty by a jury of three counts of manslaughter and murder concerning Floyd’s death on April 20. His sentencing is expected June 16, and his attorneys are expected to appeal the verdict. If not for smartphone video, Chauvin probably wouldn’t have been charged, and Floyd’s death would be just a statistic to those who didn’t know him. How the deaths of those in police custody are socially acceptable will depend on the continuing activism of those trying to cut the number of people killed by police, ongoing demands for police accountability, the availability of smartphones, and the desire of witnesses to video encounters with police.

How Long Does Domestic Violence Stay on Your Record?

• January 5, 2021
• Lawyer Michael Panella
• Criminal Defense

Sometimes arguments get out of hand, and things happen that we do not intend. Domestic violence occurs when a situation escalates that may have started as a simple disagreement. If you have been arrested on domestic violence charges in Florida, it’s understandable that you would want to know “how long does domestic violence stay on your record?” The answer to this can depend on several factors, including the severity of the harm and whether or not you have an aggressive criminal defense lawyer in your corner. Domestic violence charges cannot be expunged or sealed in Florida if you plead guilty or no contest to the charge. They will always remain on your record. A domestic violence arrest can be expunged from a record in Florida only if the charges against an alleged perpetrator are dropped. Typically, only an experienced defense attorney can make this happen. A skilled criminal defense lawyer knows the ins and outs of the legal