Our Legal Blog

Differences Between Uncontested & Contested Divorce Cases in Florida

• October 2, 2023
• Lawyer Michael Panella
• Divorce

When you get married, you hope and expect that your marriage will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. And if you are one of the many who need to dissolve a marriage in Florida, you will likely need to make some very emotional and difficult decisions. One of those decisions is what type of divorce you will have. If you and your spouse can agree to equitable terms, you could enjoy an uncontested divorce in Florida. One of the ways you can potentially make this happen is by consulting with experienced family law attorneys from Panella Law Firm. Call us at 407-233-1822 to speak to a divorce attorney in Florida today.

Uncontested Divorce in Florida

Marriage is a contract. This contract involves things like how you and your spouse handle finances and who can make end-of-life decisions for you. And like any contract, it can’t be easily broken. If you want to

What Is a Misdemeanor DUI in Florida?

• August 4, 2023
• Lawyer Michael Panella
• DUI

For most people, there are a few moments more terrifying than getting arrested. In an instant, you can see your life falling apart. You don’t just fear going to jail — you also fear losing your job, your home, your car, and your relationships. These are understandable fears. Many people never fully recover after getting arrested, especially if they are convicted of a felony. But there is hope if you are arrested for a DUI. The Florida DUI attorneys at Panella Law Firm may be able to get felony charges reduced to misdemeanor charges. If you have been arrested for a DUI, contact our Florida DUI defense attorneys right away to get help fighting your charges.

Florida DUI Laws

If you are arrested for a DUI in Florida, you will probably be charged with a misdemeanor. According to Florida Law, the fi

Understanding Plea Bargains: Pros, Cons, and How They Work

• June 3, 2023
• Lawyer Michael Panella
• Criminal Defense

Plea bargaining is widely accepted and used in the criminal justice system in Florida and throughout the U.S. It is seen as beneficial to defendants and the state for various reasons. However, defendants facing charges must be aware that entering a plea bargain without a plea bargain attorney in Florida can potentially land them in worse legal problems.

What Exactly Is a Plea Bargain?

A plea bargain is an agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant. It typically requires that the defendant plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for having the original charges dropped or dismissed. The charge the defendant pleads guilty to in a plea deal is usually somehow related to the original charge.

For example, if an individual is arrested for drug trafficking, their lawyer for plea bargain case may eventually be able to plead the drug trafficking charge down to a possession charge. But the prosecutor must agree to the plea. If they don’t, it is the job

Can You Go to Jail for Self-Defense in Florida?

• April 3, 2023
• Lawyer Michael Panella
• Criminal Defense

Self-defense in Florida is an affirmative defense in which you don't deny the acts laid out by the prosecutor but claim that under Florida law, you had the right to take those actions to defend yourself or others. Can you go to jail for self-defense in Florida? Not if your lawyer can show that you used justifiable force against another person.

Your emotions can run high after you defend yourself or others. Given the circumstances, you did what you felt you had to do. You acted in a way that is otherwise against the law and perhaps against your nature. The legal system is involved, and you may be fighting for your freedom.

If you are charged with a crime involving force and feel that self-defense or stand your ground laws protect you, experienced Florida self-defense lawyers can help you make your case.

How Do You Prove Self-Defense?

To prove self-defense, you must be able to establi