Tallahassee Criminal Attorneys Defending Against Counterfeiting

Being charged with counterfeiting can lead to serious penalties if convicted, including substantial fines and even prison time. That’s why it’s critical to have an experienced Tallahassee criminal defense attorney on your side if you find yourself facing these allegations.

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of common counterfeiting charges in Florida, typical defenses used, and how a dedicated lawyer can defend your rights every step of the way. We know these cases can be complex and intimidating to navigate alone – but with the right legal guidance, you can fight the charges and work toward the best possible case resolution.

Common Counterfeiting Charges

There are a few main counterfeiting offenses you may be charged with under Florida law:

• Counterfeiting coins, bills, banknotes, or other currency
• Possessing forged or counterfeit currency
• Making, designing, processing, or controlling counterfeit checks or payment cards
• Forging money orders, treasury notes, bank bills, or other financial documents

Prosecutors tend to pursue these types of allegations aggressively, even seeking felony charges in some instances which can mean substantial jail time. That’s why building a strong defense is so important.

Fighting Back Against the Charges

Skilled Tallahassee criminal defense lawyers have helped many clients fight back against counterfeiting accusations by developing key defenses. Some examples include:

• You didn’t know – One of the main elements prosecutors must prove is that you knowingly possessed or used counterfeit documents or currency. Your attorney can argue you had no knowledge or reason to think the items were forged.
• Mistaken identity – In some cases, police may have arrested the wrong suspect, and it’s actually someone else who committed the crime. Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate to show mistaken ID.
• Illegal search – If police conducted an improper search to obtain the allegedly fake items, an experienced attorney can file a motion to suppress that evidence from being used against you.

An adept Tallahassee criminal lawyer will explore all possible defenses and work relentlessly to have charges reduced or dismissed. They will also advise you about any plea bargain offers extended and whether accepting an offer makes sense vs. taking your case to trial.

The Benefits of Working with a Local Attorney

Here are some of the key reasons why hiring a Tallahassee criminal attorney is so valuable for counterfeiting cases:

• They have in-depth understanding of local judges, prosecutors and court procedures which can inform case strategies.
• They can negotiate with the prosecution from a position of experience and strength.
• They have resources to thoroughly examine evidence, conduct investigations, and identify inconsistencies.
• They know how to craft persuasive arguments that resonate locally to achieve better outcomes.

Essentially, a Tallahassee lawyer’s familiarity with the local legal system can prove invaluable. They know all the players involved, the typical penalties imposed, and how to navigate the process to clients’ advantage.

What to Expect When Fighting Counterfeiting Charges

Here is an overview of some of the key phases involved when battling accusations of counterfeiting in Tallahassee:

The Arrest and Charging Phase

If police suspect you of counterfeiting activity, they may arrest you on the spot or later after further investigation. Common events in this initial phase include:

• Being detained, handcuffed, and taken into custody
• Having your property searched without consent
• Aggressive police interrogation tactics
• The prosecutor filing formal charges against you

This can be an extremely unsettling time. An experienced criminal lawyer will advise you on your rights, work to reduce bail, and start crafting your defense strategy.

The Discovery Process

Now the fact-finding mission begins. Your attorney will:

• File discovery motions and subpoenas to obtain all evidence in the prosecution’s possession, such as police reports, witness statements, forensic analysis reports, and more.
• Scour the evidence to identify inconsistencies, procedural mistakes, credibility issues with witnesses, and other opportunities to undermine the prosecution’s case.
• Conduct critical defense investigation and analysis, interviewing witnesses, consulting experts, visiting crime scenes, etc.

Mastering the evidence and exploiting any holes or contradictions within it lays the foundation for a rock-solid defense.

Pretrial Negotiations & Motions

During this stage, your lawyer engages in critical pretrial actions such as:

• Filing motions to have evidence thrown out or confessions ruled inadmissible
• Negotiating with the prosecutor to get charges reduced or dropped completely
• Seeking dismissal of the case due to constitutional rights violations or other legal issues
• Proposing a favorable plea bargain if appropriate

The pretrial phase is all about positioning the case for the best possible outcome before trial.

The Trial

If a reasonable plea deal cannot be reached, the case may proceed to trial where your Tallahassee criminal defense lawyer will:

• Select the most favorable jury members during jury selection
• Deliver compelling opening and closing arguments
• Rigorously cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses
• Raise objections to limit evidence presented against you
• Present witnesses and evidence to support your defense

An adept trial lawyer can win even the most challenging cases by swaying the jury to accept reasonable doubt.

Don’t Go It Alone – Enlist an Attorney Today

As this overview reflects, battling counterfeiting charges is complex and the penalties for conviction severe. The help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer could make all the difference.

Don’t leave your fate to chance. Contact a trusted Tallahassee attorney today to discuss your case confidentiality and map out the best legal strategy to defeat the charges.

With skilled representation guiding you each step of the way, you can present the strongest possible defense, retain your rights, and work toward the charges being reduced or dismissed. Don’t wait to get the strong legal defense you deserve.