Criminal Defense Attorney in Kendall

Types of Criminal Charges We Handle in Kendall

Criminal charges in Florida range widely in scope and severity. A misdemeanor may carry lighter penalties, while a felony can result in years of imprisonment, fines, and long-term consequences for a person’s record and future.

Common criminal offenses in Kendall that we defend include:

No matter the charge, our Kendall criminal defense lawyers challenge the prosecution’s case and guide clients through the legal process following an arrest. Our broader practice includes state DUI and felony matters as well as federal white-collar and drug-trafficking cases. A defense review may address the charging document, police reports, witness accounts, physical evidence, potential legal defenses, and the accused person’s prior record. The charge classification, available evidence, court division, and procedural stage can all affect the options available.

What to Expect in Kendall Courts

Kendall cases proceed through the Miami-Dade County court system, and the assigned location depends on factors such as the charge level and court division. We keep you informed about each step, from arraignment and pretrial hearings to potential negotiations or trial.

Your matter may be assigned to the South Dade Justice Center, an Eleventh Judicial Circuit county-criminal court location, or the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, which handles circuit and county criminal cases. County criminal matters generally include misdemeanors and criminal traffic cases, while circuit criminal matters include felony charges that may carry at least one year in state prison.

We help you understand where your case is assigned, what each appearance concerns, and what information our legal team needs before court. The judge, charge level, division, procedural history, and orders already entered can affect what happens next.

Pretrial proceedings may involve discovery, release conditions, evidentiary disputes, negotiations, and motions to suppress or dismiss when supported by the facts and law. We evaluate these options case by case rather than treating any motion or negotiation as a guaranteed route to a particular result.

Why Choose Beckham Law Firm

At Beckham Law Firm, we focus on criminal defense in Miami-Dade County. Our team includes former Miami-Dade County prosecutors and a former public defender, giving us experience evaluating criminal cases from both prosecution and defense perspectives.

Justin K. Beckham is a fourth-generation Miami lawyer, and George T. Pallas has spent decades practicing criminal law in Miami courts. Their local courtroom experience informs how we assess the evidence, anticipate the state’s presentation, and prepare for hearings, negotiations, and trial. Our senior attorneys hold AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell, the organization’s highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Our firm also maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Our lawyers have been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers and maintain 10/10 ratings on Avvo.

Our Criminal Defense Approach in Kendall

We develop defense strategies based on the applicable law, the facts, the evidence, the charge, the procedural stage, and the client’s objectives.

Our investigation may include reviewing police reports, witness accounts, physical evidence, legal documents, and discovery provided during the case.

When a case arises from an arrest in Kendall or elsewhere in Miami-Dade County, we also examine how law enforcement conducted the investigation and whether officers followed applicable procedures. Former-prosecutor experience helps us assess how the state may organize its evidence, present witnesses, and respond to potential challenges.

When someone contacts our firm, we begin by:

• Listening: Understanding your side of the story and gathering background information.
• Evaluating: Reviewing police reports, evidence, and legal documents.
• Strategizing: Identifying defense options and determining next steps.
• Advocating: Handling communication with prosecutors and representing you at hearings.
• Preparing: Addressing appropriate pretrial motions, negotiations, and trial preparation.

We handle representation from arraignment and pretrial motions through negotiations, hearings, and criminal litigation when applicable. Free initial case evaluations can be conducted virtually, and our staff provides clear communication in English and Spanish.

Stages of a Florida Criminal Case

A criminal case may involve several stages before trial, but the order and timing depend on the charge, court division, procedural history, and orders entered by the judge. We guide clients through arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, negotiations, hearings, and trial when applicable.

A case may begin with an arrest, a notice to appear, or an investigation before formal charges are filed. Early proceedings can address the charging decision, bond, release conditions, and the court division assigned to the matter.

Arraignment is the proceeding that addresses the formal charge and plea. Discovery is the process through which the parties exchange case information, which may include police reports, recordings, witness material, test results, photographs, and other evidence.

Pretrial Motions & Negotiations

Florida criminal procedure permits written pretrial motions, including motions to dismiss in qualifying circumstances. Other motions may address the admissibility of statements or physical evidence, but the appropriate filing depends on the specific facts and law.

Negotiations can occur during the pretrial period, although their availability and substance vary by case. We assess the evidence, the prosecution’s position, the client’s objectives, and potential trial issues before advising on available options.

Hearings, Trial & Sentencing

If a matter isn’t resolved during pretrial proceedings, it may continue to additional hearings or trial. Sentencing occurs after a conviction or qualifying plea, and the relevant considerations depend on the offense, criminal history, governing law, and court findings.

This overview isn’t a prediction of any individual timeline or outcome. We provide advice based on the assigned court, current procedural posture, evidence, and circumstances of each Kendall client’s case.

Discuss Your Kendall Criminal Case With Us

If you’ve been arrested, charged, or contacted by investigators, speak with us before making substantive statements about the matter. A prompt legal review may provide more time to evaluate documents, identify potential evidence, and prepare for upcoming court dates.

Early intervention can be important when records, witness information, video, or electronic communications may need to be preserved. We can also advise you about interactions with law enforcement and explain what to expect from the next stage of the Miami-Dade County court process.