Criminal Charges : Drug Charges | Prescription Fraud | DUI | Assault | Burglary
MICHAEL R. OHLE
Criminal Defense Lawyer
What do I do if I’m being Arrested in Florida? What’s my next best action to take?
Let’s give you an example:
It’s a typical Friday evening when suddenly, flashing blue and red lights appear behind you. As panic sets in, an officer tells you you’re under arrest for a crime you didn’t foresee. Once at the police station, the weight of the situation begins to sink in, and the fear of potential consequences looms large.
In this moment of uncertainty, it’s crucial to stay calm. As soon as you can, reach out to a trusted friend or family member who can help you find a reputable attorney experienced in criminal law. Schedule a consultation with this lawyer to discuss your case; they will explain your rights and outline potential strategies to navigate the legal process. Remember, hiring a skilled law firm like Ohle Law is essential for protecting your future and achieving the best possible outcome during this challenging time.
Rated one of the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in South Florida!
The criminal defense attorneys at Ohle & Ohle, P.A. have been defending the accused in Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie and throughout the Treasure Coast for decades. Making an informed decision in who will represent you or your loved one is just as critical as the element of time. Your choice of legal representation can make a big difference in the outcome of a criminal case. Ohle & Ohle, P.A. in Fort Pierce are criminal defense lawyers with years of combined experience in successfully defending those accused of a crime.
You need a criminal defense attorney in Fort Pierce immediately after being arrested and charged with a criminal offense to ensure that your rights are protected and that you don’t say anything to incriminate yourself. If you suspect you are under investigation or are about to be arrested, make the call. Securing representation before being charged gives you a potentially huge advantage in knowing what to expect, what to do and even how you’re taken into custody.
Public defenders are very, very busy. Although most are dedicated, they often handle too many cases to give your case the time and attention it needs. Private counsel has the time, skill and resources to help you mount a powerful defense, giving you the best chance for the most favorable outcome possible given the unique circumstances surrounding your criminal case.
If you’re arrested in Fort Pierce, you need a defense lawyer who knows the ins and outs of St. Lucie County criminal courts. While larger firms based in larger cities claim to ‘specialize’ in Treasure Coast criminal cases, they don’t know the prosecutors, judges or system like local defense attorneys.
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all conviction in criminal court. Each type of crime carries its own specific punishments – some of them ‘mandatory’ sentences. How much time you’re facing will be determined by the type of offense, the severity, prior convictions and other facts specific to your unique case.
This is one of our most frequently asked questions. The short answer is – It doesn’t matter. Ignorance of the law is not a defense that is accepted in criminal court. If a crime is committed in the Treasure Coast, knowingly or unknowingly, prosecutors more often than not will file charges and make an arrest.
While handcuffing usually precedes an arrest, being placed in handcuffs does not make an arrest official. For example, if a house is raided and there are 10 people in the house, police might detain all with handcuffs or flexible restraints until backup arrives and or investigators determine who, if anyone, is to be arrested. In such cases, restraints typically are removed from those who police believe are not involved in the matter, and they’re not arrested.
Watch Michael Ohle explain your options in this quick video . . .
Explanations for defense of Sex Crimes . . .
Explanations for defense of Drug Crimes . . .
Criminal Law would include the following:
Consequences could be severe
No two cases are exactly alike. Each case is unique, with particular circumstances. Ohle & Ohle, P.A. are experienced criminal defense attorneys and treat each case individually. They will treat you or your loved one with respect and integrity, while aggressively protecting your rights.
A criminal conviction can have a devastating effect on your life. Many aspects of everyday life depend on having a clear criminal record. A background check is required for many of the things that we are dependent on: job prospects, voting rights, the ability to purchase real estate or rent a home. The lawyers at Ohle & Ohle, P.A. will work with you to gain insight into your special circumstances, diligently investigate all aspects of your case and provide skilled defense toward a successful resolution.
The law firm of Ohle & Ohle, P.A. headquartered in Fort Pierce, specializes in criminal defense cases encompassing DUIs, Sex Crimes, and Drug Trafficking. We also can help qualifying clients seal their records through expungement.
Over the past decade, Florida has seen a significant increase in prescription drug abuse, sales, and subsequent fraud charges. At Ohle & Ohle, we understand that the circumstances surrounding every drug case are unique. We have a team of dedicated and experienced attorneys who are able to give your individual case the time and attention that it needs. Your Fort Pierce prescription drug fraud lawyer will work hard to ensure that your rights are protected in and outside of the courtroom. At Ohle & Ohle, we strive to get real results for all of our clients. If you are located anywhere in the Treasure Coast of Florida and have been charged with prescription drug fraud or other similar drug crimes in Fort Pierce, We can help you build a defense strategy that you can depend on.
The implications of a prescription drug fraud charge
Illegal activity involving prescription medications has been on the rise in Florida and across the country. There are many reasons for the increase of these activities in Florida, including doctors who over-prescribe controlled substances, the addictive nature of many medications, and drug trafficking along Florida’s extensive coastline. Not to mention the fact that the Treasure Coast is a vacation and retirement destination for people from all walks of life and all over the United States. On top of this, prescriptions have recently become a politically charged topic in the United States. Drug overdoses from prescriptions have been increasing over the last five years with no end in sight. Due to this perfect storm of circumstances, prescription drug fraud is prosecuted aggressively and convictions come with heavy penalties in Fort Pierce and elsewhere in the .
Multiple law enforcement agencies at both state and federal levels have recently invested additional resources into reigning in the prescription pill trade. Agencies have been known to pursue doctors, patients, drug dealers, pharmaceutical companies, distribution centers, drug traffickers, healthcare companies, hospitals, and even hospital staff members, with aggressive investigation tactics. This can mean anything from sting operations to underhanded political tactics. All of these efforts are aimed at convicting offenders in an attempt to contain instances of prescription drug fraud. So what does this mean for you?
This means that you are more likely than ever to face federal charges for any suspected activity and there’s a good chance that you will face abnormally aggressive prosecutors and complex, sometimes even underhanded, legal tactics. The state wants to see offenders convicted and penalized in large numbers. This is just one of the reasons that hiring an experienced prescription drug fraud defense attorney is so critical to the outcome of your case. Only locally-based, experienced counsel knows the ins and outs of how these criminal defense cases are handled in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Understanding the laws in Florida
Prescription drug fraud is defined as any act in which anyone has illegally managed to obtain or tried to acquire any amount of any controlled substance by use of forgery, misrepresentation, fraud, deception or subterfuge. This means that fraud may be committed in numerous ways, sometimes without the perpetrator even realizing that they have committed a crime. Below are some of the most commonly prosecuted fraud charges in the state of Florida.
This means having any amount of any controlled prescription medication in your possession without a legal prescription from a qualified and recognized medical professional. Example: Having someone else’s pills on your person and being pulled over and searched may get you charged with this crime.
This means selling or giving out prescription medication illegally. You may also be charged with this crime if you have materials that may be considered suspicious as well as large quantities of prescription medication in your possession.
Example: Having multiple bottles of a prescription painkiller alongside small baggies and a stack of cash.
This usually involves going to multiple doctors in an attempt to get more or stronger prescription medications. Example: Your doctor doesn’t let you have as many painkillers as you feel you need. You go to another doctor and ask for a larger amount of medication.
The most commonly abused prescription medications in Fort Pierce include:
- Methadone
- Amphetamine (Adderall)
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
- Ketamine
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Carisoprodol (Soma)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Morphine
- Oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone)
Penalties upon conviction
Prescription Drug Fraud is covered under State Law according to Florida Statutes Annotated § 893.13. Penalties for convictions of federal cases are severe. They may include but are not limited to:
- receiving a third-degree felony conviction punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
- receiving a maximum prison term of fifteen years and up to $10,000 in fines.
- receiving a 25-year mandatory minimum prison term and $500,000 in fines.
Hiring a qualified drug defense lawyer ASAP is critical
If you have been charged with prescription drug fraud in Fort Pierce or elsewhere in the Treasure Coast, you’re probably wondering how to proceed. Perhaps you are considering using a court-appointed attorney. If you are, it is important to keep in mind that prescription drug fraud convictions carry severe penalties and may be prosecuted intensely. A public defender may not always be able to give your case the time and attention it might demand. At Ohle & Ohle, our Fort Pierce prescription drug fraud attorneys work hard to get each and every client the best possible outcome for their case. When your way of living is on the line, we know that you require results. If you have been accused of prescription drug fraud, hiring an experienced drug fraud defense attorney as soon as possible is likely your best option. At Ohle & Ohle, we are familiar with the complexities that may surround prescription drug fraud cases. Our lawyers will work diligently to ensure that your particular case gets the best possible outcome.