Orlando, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Christopher L. Smith Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Florida laws and procedures related to criminal defense are complicated and require a skilled criminal defense lawyer to properly navigate through the process. Criminal defense Attorney Christopher L. Smith fights for the rights of people charged with serious crimes in the city of Orlando, Florida, and surrounding Florida cities and counties. Attorney Christopher L. Smith delivers personalized attention to his clients by keeping case information detailed and accessible and provides exceptional criminal defense legal solutions related to the following matters:

Florida Felony Crimes:

Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggregated assault and battery. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote. There is a lot at stake when you have been charged with a felony. Contact Orlando, Florida felony defense Attorney Christopher L. Smith today to protect your rights.

Federal Crimes in Florida District Courts:

Orlando, Florida criminal defense lawyer Christopher L. Smith is ready and available to provide legal advice and representation for you when you are charged with one or more federal crimes. The federal criminal code (set forth mainly in Title 18 of the United States code) contains over 120 categories of crimes, organized by subject matter. Additional federal codes contain other criminal prohibitions. Title 18 also contains the federal rules of criminal procedure, which set forth the rules which govern the handling of criminal cases from start to finish. Criminal laws have been increasingly "federalized." More and more are offenses subject to federal prosecution.

If the crime with which you are being charged violates federal law, as opposed to state law, or the crime took place on federal property or in a federal building (like a U.S. Post Office), the case will be referred to the federal courts for prosecution. If the crime with which you are charged violates both state and federal laws, it could potentially be prosecuted in either (or both) jurisdictions without violating the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy.

Florida White Collar Crimes:

High-tech professionals, corporate executives and clergy who are criminally charged for offenses such as corporate theft, counterfeiting, embezzlement, forgery, hacking, fraud, tax evasions, or bad checks are often referred to as “white collar” offenders and are prosecuted for white collar crimes. In some cases, first-time offenders are convicted and sent to prison, even with no prior criminal history. An arrest and conviction for one of these crimes can have a serious impact on your life. Call Orlando, Florida white collar crime lawyer Christopher L. Smith today.

Florida Internet Crimes:

Internet crimes involve hacking, phishing, pharming, programming worms, viruses, Trojans and committing Identity theft, and can result in substantial criminal charges. Identity Theft in particular is a rising issue across America, and recent headline stories involving breaches of security at major financial institutions have caused widespread panic in the financial community and among consumers. The facts and the evidence in computer-based crime cases can be very complicated, and may even require analysis from expert witnesses. If you have been charged with an internet or computer-based crime, call Orlando, Florida internet crime defense Attorney Christopher L. Smith today.

Florida Sexual Offenses:

Sex crimes include such charges as: Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Date Rape, Failure to register (as a Sex Offender), Indecent Exposure, Internet Porn, Lewd Conduct, Marital Rape, Molestation, Obscenity, Pedophilia, Pornography, Prostitution, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sodomy and Statutory Rape. Many sex crimes are considered felonies or require convicted defendants to continually register themselves as publicly recognized sex offenders with the local and state authorities where they live and work.

The long-term consequences of a conviction for a sex offense on your record can be devastating. However, offenders still have rights in the court system. For a strong defense when you need it most, call Orlando, Florida sex crimes defense lawyer Christopher L. Smith today.

Florida Drugs and Narcotics Charges:

Drugs and Narcotics laws have tried to keep up with the changing perceptions and real dangers of substance abuse. By 1970, over 55 federal drug laws and countless state laws specified a variety of punitive measures, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. To clarify the situation, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 repealed, replaced, or updated all previous federal laws concerned with narcotics and all other dangerous drugs. Most states have laws that give different treatment to possession of different categories of drugs (i.e. prescription drugs, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine) and also make a distinction in the offense charged as to whether a small amount of the drug was found with the defendant (personal use) or a larger amount (intent to sell or distribute, trafficking). A conviction on a drug charge of any magnitude, even a small amount of marijuana, can seriously affect your present and future employment chances, your education, your reputation and your freedom. That is why it is important to call Orlando, Florida drug charge defense Attorney Christopher L. Smith as soon as you have been arrested, to stand up for your rights and protect your future.

Florida Serious Violent Crimes and Murder:

By definition, a violent crime is a behavior by persons, against persons or property that intentionally threatens, attempts, or actually inflicts physical harm. The seriousness of the injuries to the victim(s), whether or not guns or other weapons were used and/or whether or not the alleged perpetrator has a criminal record will determine the seriousness of the charge. Most violent crimes are considered felonies and are subject to be considered a "strike" in a state that has adopted three strikes laws. Violent criminal charges can include: Aggravated Assault, Arson, Assault and Battery, Domestic Violence, Hate Crimes, Homicide, Larceny, Rape, Manslaughter, and Murder.

One of the most serious areas of violent crime is Homicide - killing a person, whether lawfully or unlawfully. Justifiable homicide and excusable homicide are lawful homicides, while criminal homicide, negligent homicide, reckless homicide and vehicular homicide are unlawful homicides. Unlawful homicide comprises the two crimes of murder and manslaughter. When the criminal charges against you are serious, call Orlando, Florida criminal defense lawyer Christopher L. Smith as soon as you have been arrested. Attorney Christopher L. Smith is one of the few Orlando criminal attorneys in the Central Florida area who is “death qualified” to handle capital murder cases.

Florida DUI:

“DUI” stands for Driving under the Influence and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance, to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their Blood Alcohol Content is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender’s expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years; it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit. Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.

However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DUI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10 years of the new charge.

Florida Juvenile Court:

Juvenile law is the area of law that deals with criminal acts alleged to be committed by juveniles - persons not old enough to be held responsible for criminal acts, which in most states involves children under the age of eighteen. The main goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation rather than punishment. However, juveniles can be transferred into adult court if the juvenile court waives or relinquishes its jurisdiction. Juvenile crime is called an act of "delinquency" and requires court intervention to correct the delinquency. Juvenile courts have their own special rules and procedures. If a child or teenager is found guilty of a juvenile law crime, he or she may be sent to a reform school or another public institution, placed in a foster home, or returned to the parents and placed on probation or house arrest. If your son or daughter has been arrested or charged with an offense in juvenile court, call Orlando, Florida juvenile defense Attorney Christopher L. Smith today.

Take Action to Protect Your Rights:

If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a crime in Orlando, Florida or within the surrounding cities and counties of Florida and needs the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, call criminal defense lawyer Christopher L. Smith today at 1-866-435-1601, or complete the contact form provided on this site to begin your Free Consultation with a dedicated Orlando, Florida criminal defense trial attorney.