Skilled St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Lawyer Safeguards Your Rights in Court

Helping clients throughout Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg area fight against serious charges

Being charged with a crime in the state of Florida is a serious matter that can have a devastating effect on your personal and professional life. If you are facing a criminal charge, you need to seek help from an attorney who knows how to defend your constitutional rights in court. At the law office of Joseph Montrone, Jr., P.A., I give your case the personal attention and effective service you deserve. I have been practicing law in the state of Florida for 26 years, formerly as a prosecutor and now as a criminal defense attorney. This experience on both sides of the law gives me an extensive familiarity with how the legal process works to get you the results you need.

Sophisticated criminal defense services

Any accused individual can benefit from the help of an experienced defense attorney with a long track record of successfully challenging police and prosecutors. At my law office, I represent clients who have been charged with felonies and misdemeanors, including:

• DUI — I defend clients in court who have been charged with DUI in the St. Petersburg area. I also push the court to either reduce or throw out the charges, depending on the evidence presented.
• Drug charges — Depending on the severity of the allegations, a drug charge may be considered a serious felony or a light misdemeanor. No matter the circumstances of your case, I will stand by your side during the proceedings to make sure your constitutional rights are never infringed upon.
• Sex crimes — If you have been charged with a sex crime, I will help you understand the charges against you and will establish a defense strategy that is specifically tailored for your case.
• Weapons charges — I will safeguard your constitutional rights against unjust weapons charges, including possession and trafficking cases.
• Domestic violence — Being charged with domestic violence can have an irreversible impact on one’s family life and reputation. I defend clients in court against false allegations and unwarranted restraining orders, so they can continue living the life they deserve.
• Juvenile offenses — A juvenile offense can jeopardize multiple parts of your life. I provide clients under the age of 18 with sophisticated criminal defense with an eye toward their future.
• Theft and property crimes — In theft and property crimes cases, I will fight the evidence presented against you and ensure that your day in court is fair and just.

Without strong counsel, you might not receive the legal defense that you are entitled to under the law. No matter what evidence exists in the case against you, my firm will press for the best solution possible under the circumstances, whether that is a dismissal, acquittal or reduction in charges. 

What should you do if you’ve been arrested?

Regardless of the alleged offense or particular circumstances, the way to safeguard your rights once you’ve been arrested is to retain a qualified defense attorney as soon as possible. Despite the language of the Miranda warnings, many suspects believe that they can talk their way out of a problem or that answering questions will lead to better treatment down the road. Later on, as they’re being prosecuted, they realize that they cannot take back the damaging statements that they made out of fear or a misguided spirit of cooperation. If you’ve been arrested, the best way to protect your interests is to politely decline to answer questions until your attorney is present. 

Can you defend yourself in a criminal matter? 

Though people are permitted to represent themselves if they are being criminally prosecuted, doing so could have serious negative consequences. Part of the reason why accused individuals have guaranteed rights is for protection against the massive advantage that authorities have in power and resources. An experienced criminal defense attorney helps to even the odds by asserting your fundamental rights from the moment you are represented. Police and prosecutors may try to get people charged with crimes to make statements and decisions that make a conviction more likely, whether through intimidation, seemingly friendly treatment or other methods. I am committed to making sure that clients utilize the rights granted to them and stay away from costly mistakes.

Contact a Florida defense lawyer for a free consultation about a probation matter

Joseph Montrone, Jr., P.A. advocates for Florida clients who have been accused of probation violations and individuals accused of criminal offenses. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, please call 727-888-0102 or contact me online. My office is in St. Petersburg.