Panella Law Firm accepts cases throughout Florida
Obstruction of justice is an extremely serious charge. Simply trying to protect your rights by remaining silent or trying to avoid apprehension in any way could add this offense to your worries. You need guidance from our obstruction of justice lawyers in Orlando, FL, to avoid harsh punishment.
Remember, it is your constitutional right to defend yourself. At Panella Law Firm, our criminal defense lawyers meet with you in a free initial consultation to assess your case. We then put our substantial legal resources and knowledge to work to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome.
Maybe you refused to respond to the police upon questioning. Maybe you let a friend hide from the police after the commission of a crime. In some cases, you might be facing an obstruction of justice charge, but you did not do anything unlawful.
In other cases, you very well may have, knowingly or unknowingly. In Florida, a slew of acts can result in an obstruction of justice charge. Some of them seem innocent enough, while others are obvious.
Florida law details many ways you may be charged with obstructing justice. All of them require a detailed analysis of your circumstances by a qualified Florida obstruction defense lawyer to determine how to beat the charge. We build a strong defense strategy designed to maintain your innocence in the minds of the judge and jury.
If you have been charged with obstruction of justice, you must work with our Orlando, FL, obstruction of justice attorneys. We can provide you with the robust defense that you deserve. Attorney Michael Panella has built a distinguished firm serving the needs of citizens throughout Florida.
Some of the reasons why you should partner with Panella Law Firm include the following:
Attorney Michael Panella is undefeated at trial, leading our obstruction of justice lawyers in Orlando, FL, to success throughout our years of practice. Turn to us for experienced help if you face criminal charges.
There are plenty of ways that an obstruction of justice case attorney from our office can help you if you are facing criminal charges. Some of the ways we can help you include the following:
These are just a few of the many ways we can help you if you partner with an obstruction of justice lawyer from Panella Law Firm. If you are facing an obstruction of justice charge, call us as soon as possible to schedule a case consultation.
Obstruction of justice charges in Orlando, FL, should not be taken lightly. The consequences of a conviction can be severe. The way to beat a charge is through thorough investigative work, strategic criminal defense planning, and ongoing negotiation.
We want to know all the circumstances that led to the point where you were charged with an obstruction of justice crime. We will investigate the matter thoroughly to identify any misunderstandings and mistakes made by the police or other law enforcement officials.
Remember, they make mistakes, and if they do, we will uncover them. Some common errors involve violations of your constitutional rights. For example, they may have unlawfully questioned or arrested you. If any officer infringed upon your rights, your obstruction of justice defense attorney may be able to file a motion to suppress evidence that resulted from the violation.
At Panella Law Firm, we are strategic thinkers. We craft smart criminal defenses for the best outcome in your unique situation. You may have a valid defense, depending on the specific charge. Some defenses are:
Most obstruction of justice charges require the element of intent, and if you did not have that and the prosecutor cannot prove you did, they may fail in their pursuit. We will work to provide evidence that negates any suggestion of intent when appropriate.
The goal of your obstruction of justice attorney in Florida is to create reasonable doubt that you committed the crime. Showing you did not intend to obstruct justice can support that goal and reduce the appearance of guilt in the minds of the jury.
Your acts may be protected under the First Amendment as free speech or the right to assemble peacefully. Again, this depends on the situation, but we will build a case partially based on this defense when it is applicable.
First Amendment law is constantly changing, and we will examine all current rulings and precedents to establish that your rights should be protected. We will interpret this complicated area of the law to your greatest advantage.
Where your conduct did not hinder a police officer’s ability to carry out their duties, there is no obstruction of justice. We can provide evidence, when applicable, that demonstrates this defense.
We can potentially use evidence such as witness testimony and video from body cams, surveillance cameras, security cameras, and bystander cell phones to show you did not commit an obstructive act.
In some situations, you can use reasonable force to resist the use of excessive force inflicted upon you during an arrest. With the advice of a self-defense attorney, you can use reasonable force to defend yourself against an officer’s unlawful action. An example would be if officers try to enter your home without a proper warrant.
The above are only a few defenses we may employ to argue your case. Remember that the choices we make and the strategies we use in your case will depend on the specific facts and circumstances for your actions, as well as the charges laid against you. The State of Florida has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty. We work to make the prosecutor’s job as difficult as possible.
Our obstruction of justice charge lawyers will tailor an aggressive strategy to create the doubt necessary to produce the best outcome for you. In some cases, the best result may be proving your innocence, while in other cases, it is a plea deal that we negotiate in your favor. Although you must plead guilty to a lesser charge in this kind of bargain, your obstruction of justice attorney in Florida will always focus on decreasing your penalties and reducing the effect a criminal conviction will have on your life.
There are numerous actions that can be considered obstruction. Florida Statute § 843 lists and describes each offense that could result in an obstruction of justice charge. These charges are often related to other criminal charges that have already been filed.
Some of the most common forms of obstruction of justice charges in Orlando are:
Sometimes these charges are founded on misunderstandings. That is why our attorneys for the obstruction of justice charge at Panella Law Firm do the due diligence to determine what happened and your actual intent to develop a strong defense.
The criminal consequences of a conviction of obstruction of justice crime can be serious, but the extent of the penalties depends on the charge. Some charges constitute misdemeanor crimes, while others are felonies, requiring the expertise of a skilled felony lawyer to navigate the legal complexities.
Greater penalties are brought against you if you physically resisted or harmed an officer, any legal personnel, or a police animal. Use of violence against a member of law enforcement can be charged as a third-degree felony, with up to five years in prison and a $5,000 file. If you resist without violence, you will only face a first-degree misdemeanor with one-year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
The vast difference between those situations is when a plea deal can make a substantial difference in your case. If your obstruction defense attorney can demonstrate that the officer’s claim of violence is untrue, you may be able to obtain a less serious charge and penalty. To know what you are up against, contact our obstruction of justice defense lawyers today.
When you are first charged with obstruction of justice, or you receive notice that you are being investigated, you will likely be afraid of what happens next. If you were charged in conjunction with other offenses because you resisted arrest, an obstruction charge can feel like an insult added to injury. However, you can begin protecting yourself right away.
You may think you can simply explain the situation or apologize to make the charge go away. It is crucial to understand that everything you say and do will be used against you by the prosecution, if possible. They will twist your words and make your actions seem worse to secure a conviction against you.
Follow these steps to begin defending yourself right away:
As soon as you find out you are a target for obstruction charges or you have been arrested, exercise your right to remain silent until you speak with your attorney. When you are taken to a law enforcement facility, you should expect that everything you do and say is being recorded. You should also expect that anyone you talk to could report your statements, including other inmates and administrative staff.
Comply with the officers and follow directions, but avoid answering any questions until you have your lawyer with you.
You will have a hearing where bail is set, and if you successfully post the required amount, you will be released. At this point, you await your next hearing and can usually return to your normal activities. It is vital that you not discuss the charges or your situation with anyone other than your criminal defense lawyer.
The prosecutor will interview everyone you know and work with, trying to find evidence against you. They will look for photos, videos, statements, and social media history that supports their case. It is up to you to keep quiet.
When you work with Panella Law Firm, you can rely on our experience, integrity, and tenacity to defend your rights and secure the most favorable outcome we can. We provide excellent legal representation, fighting fiercely to ensure you face little or no punishment. If you have been unfairly charged, we will not rest until we have the charges reduced or dismissed so you can recover your reputation.
We hear many of the same concerns from our clients who are charged with obstruction of justice. You may have specific questions that our attorneys can discuss during your initial case evaluation.
A few of the most frequent questions that people ask us include:
Will I Go to Jail if I Am Convicted of Obstruction of Justice?
There is a chance that you could go to jail if you are convicted of obstruction of justice. The exact penalty depends on the nature of the charge. The criminal defense attorneys at Panella Law Firm will use every option to reduce your penalties and secure the best outcome possible.
Can You Get My Charges Dismissed if I Partner With You?
Every case is different. We need to review the nature of the evidence against you before we decide how we want to move forward. There are some situations where we can get a case dismissed. Panella Law Firm lawyers have years of experience examining cases and determining how to reduce or dismiss charges whenever possible.
Do I Need to Call You Even if I Am Not Facing Criminal Charges?
If you know that you are being actively investigated for a crime, you should not wait to call us for a case consultation. The sooner we get involved, the easier it will be for us to Advocate on your behalf. Risking your freedom and future by going it alone is never a wise move. Trust Panella Law Firm to create a strong defense to create reasonable doubt, reducing the prosecutor’s case against you.
If I Am Innocent, Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
You might think that the facts of the case are on your side, but you need to make sure the law is on your side as well. That is why you need to call us for a case consultation. Knowing you are innocent and proving it are two very different things in a courtroom. You need skilled guidance from Panella Law Firm to ensure your rights, freedoms, and future are protected.
Many of these obstructions of justice charges can be the result of actions done accidentally or in self-preservation. Whether you were wrongly charged or committed an act of obstruction (unknowingly or knowingly), Panella Law Firm can help set the record straight in the first instance and fight to obtain the best outcome in the second instance.
Contact our Orlando legal defense team to schedule your free initial case evaluation by using our online form or calling us at 407-233-1822, and we will talk about your options to beat an obstruction of justice charge.
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