Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney in Miami Beach, FL
“Charges dropped. That’s our desired outcome!!”
If you’ve landed on this website, chances are you or a loved one is in trouble with the law. This may mean that you are the subject of a police investigation or have been arrested and charged with a crime. Facing criminal charges is a deeply unsettling and traumatic experience, especially if you’re a first-time offender. Being placed in handcuffs, posing for a mugshot, and sitting in a holding cell can bring feelings of fear, anger, shame, and anxiety.
The good news is, you’ve come to the right place for help. I’m Steve Taylor, a seasoned criminal defense attorney committed to fighting for the rights of the accused in Miami Beach, FL and throughout Miami-Dade County. The legal team I’ve assembled at my firm is well-prepared to defend a variety of crimes ranging from petty theft to domestic violence to money laundering to murder. You can count on us to exhaust all of our resources and efforts to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
When Miami Beach residents and tourists need help: Criminal Defense Attorney Steve Taylor is there for you!
Our ultimate mission is to obtain a dismissal of the charges against you or at the very least to minimize the consequences you face by negotiating a 
reduction in charges or a more lenient sentence. We also will never hesitate to litigate aggressively in court if necessary. Florida has a reputation for imposing some of the harshest penalties for criminal violations. A lot could be at stake — your freedom, career, reputation, relationships and overall future. A criminal record can haunt you for the rest of your life.
Don’t attempt to represent yourself in criminal court. Even if a public defender is provided to you, he or she may not have the expertise needed to handle your case. You need a lawyer you can trust with a proven track record of success. I have represented thousands of clients and tried well over 50 cases and know how to look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case which can be used to create reasonable doubt.
Before starting my own practice, I served as the Assistant Public Defender for the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office. Over the years I have developed a great ease in the courtroom and have a sophisticated knowledge of Florida Statutes and criminal procedures. I have built longstanding professional relationships with local local police departments, prosecutors, court staff and judges.
Criminal Defense Legal Services
- Protect you from saying anything incriminating during a police interrogation
- Guide you through the complicated bail and release process
- Advocate for you at your arraignment, hearings, conferences, and trial
- Perform an internal investigation of your case: review police reports, gather witness statements, hire experts
- File motions to suppress evidence that was obtained as the result of an illegal search and seizure
- Pursue alternative sentencing options in lieu of harsh punishment such as probation, participation in court-approved drug, alcohol or other treatment programs and home monitoring, community service, etc.
Right now, the prosecution is busy building a case against you. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can begin mounting an effective defense.
South Beach Criminal Defense Help – Free Case Consultation
Take advantage of a free initial consultation today at 1-305-433-0497. We look forward to hearing from you.
In the interim:
- You have the right to remain silent, and you should. You do not have to answer any of the police officer’s questions without first securing legal representation
- Don’t plead guilty without discussing your legal options with us first.
- Don’t consent to a search of your person/residence/vehicle. Demand a search warrant.
Vigorous Defense Against Criminal Charges
My defense firm provides representation for a wide variety of misdemeanor and felony charges at the state and federal level, including:
- DUI/DWI Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Assault and Battery
- Murder
- Kidnapping
- Domestic Violence
- Child Abuse
- Sex Crimes
- Pornography and solicitation
- Prostitution
- Sexual assault
- Indecent exposure
- Rape
- Drug Crimes
- Drug Possession
- Possession with intent to sell
- Distribution
- Trafficking
- Sale and delivery
- White Collar Crimes
- Money Laundering
- Fraud (credit card fraud, insurance fraud, Medicaid fraud
- Embezzlement
- Theft Crimes
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Forgery
- Bad checks
- Shoplifting
- Computer Crimes
- Hacking of accounts
- Using a fake identity on the Internet
- Cyber-stalking
- Malware
- Internet piracy
Classifications of Crimes Under Florida Law
In Florida, criminal offenses are divided into two categories: misdemeanors andfelonies. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes punishable by up to one
year in county jail whereas felonies can land a person in state prison for many years. Prosecutors have the discretion to determine which category of crime they want to charge you with. For example, a simple bar fight is a misdemeanor but can be elevated to a felony if there was a weapon involved.
The criminal court division in Miami-Dade County consists of the County Criminal Division and the Circuit Criminal Division. The county courts have jurisdiction in all minor misdemeanor cases, criminal traffic matters, and municipal and county ordinance violations. The circuit courts hear major felony cases where the resulting penalty can be death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary for one year or more. They also receive and process all felony affidavits of probable cause, grand jury indictments and arrest warrants.
Main County Criminal Courthouse Info:
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 N.W. 12th Street
Miami, Florida 33125
Florida Misdemeanors by Degree
Misdemeanors and felonies are divided by degrees of severity which in turn determines the harshness of the punishment.
Second-degree misdemeanors tend to be nonviolent offenses punishable by up to 60 days in county jail, six months probation, and a $500 fine.
Examples of second-degree misdemeanors include:
- Disorderly conduct
- Disorderly intoxication
- Reckless driving
- Criminal mischief (less than $200 in damage)
- Simple trespass
- Simple assault
- Petty theft (for a first offense)
- No valid driver’s license
- Driving on a suspended license with knowledge (for a first offense)
- Loitering
First degree misdemeanors are the most serious misdemeanors in Florida and carry a sentence of up to one year in jail, one year probation, and $1,000 fine.
Examples of first-degree misdemeanors
- DUI
- Criminal mischief (between $200 and $1,000 in damage)
- Domestic violence
- Boating under the influence
- Marijuana possession (of less than twenty grams)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Petty theft (for a second offense)
- Shoplifting (of under $300)
- Prostitution
- Solicitation of prostitution
- Driving on a suspended license with knowledge (for a second offense)
Felonies by Degree
Florida has five degrees of felonies. They are, felony in the third degree, felony in the second degree, felony in the first degree, life felony, and capital felony
Felonies in the third degree are the least severe and are punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.
- Aggravated assault
- Trespassing
- Possession of an illegal substance
Felonies in the second degree maximum prison stay of 15 years and a fine up to $15,000.
- Arson
- Manslaughter
- Aggravated battery
- DUI
- Felonious driving
- Domestic crimes
- Theft
- White collar crimes
- Some types of sex crimes
- Robbery
- Drug crimes.
First degree felonies, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000.
- Aggravated battery on an officer
- Drug trafficking
- Trafficking in cannabis
- Trafficking in stolen goods
- Burglary with assault or battery
- Aggravated child abuse
- Robbery with a weapon
Life and capital felonies are the most severe crimes you can be charged with in the state of Florida.
A life felony can put you behind bars for the rest of your life and force you to pay a fine of up to $15,000. These offenses include second degree murder, burglary with a battery,
A capital felony is punishable by the death penalty. First degree murder and sexual battery on a child less than 12 years old are examples of capital felonies.
Alternatives to Jail for First Time Offenders in Miami-Dade County
If you are a first-time non-violent offender, you may be eligible for a pre-trial diversion program which offers an alternative to traditional sentencing 
and prosecution. For example, in lieu of jail time, the court may order you to attend classes, perform community service, pay restitution to victim/s, etc.
Specific programs may include:
Drug Court: If you have been charged with a non-violent felony of the second or third degree for possession or purchase of a controlled substance, solicitation for purchase of a controlled substance, or obtaining a prescription by fraud and are identified as having a substance abouse problem, you may be able to take advantage of drug court. This allows you to receive intensive treatment and rehabilitation for drug addiction instead of being prosecuted.
Misdemeanor Diversion: classes and group counseling sessions, such as anger management, shoplifting prevention, and classes for substance abuse, parenting, and weapons safety.
Overview of Criminal Proceedings in Miami Dade County
If you or a loved one were arrested in Miami Beach or elsewhere in Miami Dade County, you are probably eager to know what happens next. The following is a brief overview of how a criminal case works its way through the Miami Dade County criminal justice system. Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer Steve Taylor will guide you through these legal proceedings and vigorously protect your rights at every stage.
Arrest Affidavit or Notice to Appear: In order to be arrested in Florida, a uniformed law enforcement officer from the the Miami Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, or Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office must have probable cause to believe you committed a crime either by witnessing the criminal act firsthand or responding to a criminal complaint. Law enforcement can either make a physical arrest or issue a criminal citation or notice to appear in court.
A notice to appear is issued in lieu of a physical arrest for first-degree or second-degree misdemeanors, like marijuana possession or shoplifting. Instead of being booked at the local jail, you will be given a “Promise to Appear” (PTA) or “Notice to Appear” (NTA) written notice to show up at court at a specific date and time in the future. Failure to appear in court will result in a warrant for your arrest.
Booking
A physical arrest entails being handcuffed and transported via police vehicle to the local police station where you will most likely be questioned. At this time, it’s absolutely crucial that you invoke your right to remain silent and politely state that you will not answer any questions without a lawyer present. Even if you are innocent and want to tell your side of the story, it’s best to refrain from saying anything that could potentially incriminate you and hurt your case.
Shortly thereafter, you will be brought to a jail or detention facility to be booked and processed. In most cases, this is the Turner Guildford Knight correctional center, also known as “TGK.” At TGK, you will be fingerprinted, photographed, strip searched, and placed in a holding cell. While in the holding cell, a corrections officer will create a “jail card” that includes all of your pertinent personal information like name, date of birth, address and place of employment. A criminal background check will also be performed to identify any prior offenses.
First Appearance
Within 24 hours of your arrest, you will be brought to a room at the Miami jail called “The Chapel” where you will appear via TV screen in front of a judge or magistrate. The judge will review the probable cause affidavit or police report and determine whether there was probable cause to arrest you. If the Judge finds probable cause exists, a bond will be set for you.
Bail/Pre-Trial Release
Bail serves as assurance that you will return for future scheduled court appearances. You have a right to bail unless you are charged with a capital crime like first degree murder in which case you would have to remain in police custody. Most crimes have a standard preset bond amount. For example, the standard bond amount in Miami-Dade County for a person arrested for DUI is $1500. Someone arrested for Aggravated Battery must post a $7,500 bond. The judge takes other factors into consideration when determining a bond amount including: the seriousness of the charges, whether you have a criminal history, your ties to the community, any relative danger you may pose to the community, and/or whether you are a flight risk.
You have the option of paying the bond in full or if you can’t afford it, we can help you seek the help of a bail bondsman who will put up the money for you and charge you a small percentage fee. If bail is set at an unreasonable amount, we will attempt to file a motion to have your bail reduced or lowered. If this is your first offense and it’s a simple misdemeanor you may not need to post bail and will be released on your own recognizance based on your promise to return for a future scheduled court date.
Case Filing Decision — Will Charges Be Filed?
At the time of your arrest, the police officer prepares an initial report known as a probable cause affidavit which sets forth their justification for arresting you. This report is sent to the local State Attorney’s office where prosecutors in the filing unit decide whether or not you should be formally charged with a crime.
The best time to contact Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer Steve Taylor is before charges are filed. This gives our lawyers the opportunity to reach out to the State Attorney’s office in an effort to persuade them that charges are not warranted or should at least be reduced. We may be able to uncover new evidence, provide witness statements, or other materials that they can review before making their decision.
If the State decides to ultimately prosecute, they will file formal charges and you will be scheduled for an arraignment.
Arraignment
An arraignment is considered your first formal appearance in court and usually takes place within 30-60 days of your first appearance. The purpose of an arraignment is for a judge to explain to you what you have been accused of and for you to enter a plea of Guilty or Not Guilty. Once a plea of Not Guilty is entered, your criminal case will proceed to trial.
Discovery
After your arraignment, the discovery process will commence. At this juncture, the Office of the State Attorney must provide any and all evidence they plan to use against you. This may include police reports, lab results, crime scene photos, list of witnesses they will call to testify, etc. In response, we will examine the evidence and identify weaknesses in the state’s case. We may decide to take sworn depositions of witnesses, file motions to suppress evidence, and hire experts to challenge evidence presented.
Plea Bargaining
The vast majority of criminal cases never make it to trial and are resolved through plea bargaining. A plea bargain is a negotiated agreement with the
prosecutor that usually involves having you plead guilty in exchange for reduced charges or a more lenient sentence. A plea deal can be reached at virtually any point during a criminal prosecution – from the initial court appearance, to the first day of trial. As your Attorney, my first priority will always be to get the charges against you dismissed outright but in some circumstances a plea bargain may be the best option. You are under no obligation to accept a plea deal you are not comfortable with.
Trial and Sentencing
If a plea bargain cannot be reached or you are unsatisfied with the offer, we will proceed to a trial by judge or trial by jury wherein the State will have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime you are accused of. You will either be acquitted and found Not Guilty or convicted and sentenced.
- Opening statements
- Government’s case is presented
- Defense cross-examines Government’s case
- Defense’s case is presented
- Government cross-examines defense’s case
- Closing arguments
- Jury Charge
- Jury Deliberation
- Verdict
The Miami Beach & South Beach areas are a haven for being charged by the police. Tourists can have their vacations and lives turned upside down by an unexpected run-in with the police. Residents face the same issues. I’m here today to help turn your life around. Call my office today to arrange a free case consultation. I’ve heard it all. And believe me your story is not unique. I’m here to help you get your life back on track. Call today to get started: (305) 433-0497