What should I do if I’m under investigation for criminal activity in Florida?

If you’re under investigation, you need to take the situation as seriously as if you were already charged with a severe crime. Decline to provide any information or take any other actions until you consult an attorney. Gather any information or documentation that could potentially be used as evidence in your case (for or against you), and provide it to your attorney. Refrain from discussing your case not only with the police but also with anyone else other than your lawyer. Don’t comment about the case on social media, either.

Should I talk to an investigator without a lawyer?

No, you should not speak to a police detective or investigator without a lawyer. Officers may try various approaches to get you to talk to them without an attorney present, including assuring you that it’s “just” an interview or suggesting that answering their questions will help you in some way. However, any answers you give could potentially be taken out of context and used against you if you are charged with a crime. It’s important to exercise your right to remain silent. Provide only the required information about your identity, and inform police officers that you need to speak with an attorney before you can answer any questions or provide a statement. Then contact my law firm right away for strong, strategic representation.

How early do I need to consult an attorney about defending against criminal charges?

The sooner you involve a criminal defense attorney, the better. While many defendants wait until they are formally charged with a crime and arrested to seek out a lawyer’s advice, having dedicated representation can be particularly valuable early on, during the investigation itself. Retaining an attorney at this time can ensure your rights are protected, help you avoid common mistakes, and facilitate an in-depth investigation that supports your defense.

Why should I retain a private criminal attorney instead of relying on a public defender to present my case?

Public defenders serve a critical role in the criminal justice system. As a former Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County, I know firsthand how important these legal professionals are. However, I also know that many public defenders are overburdened, with fewer resources and insufficient time available to take every action they may want to take on behalf of all of the individuals they defend in court. When you’re accused of committing a sophisticated crime like money laundering, racketeering, or fraud, you need comprehensive legal support that goes beyond the courtroom, including in-depth investigations and development of your legal strategy. As a solo practitioner in private practice, I’m now able to dedicate my time and resources to defending individual clients in a capacity that is often not possible for public defenders, no matter how devoted they may be to their jobs and the well-being of the people they defend.

Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer | Criminal Investigations Attorney in Miami, FL

Nationwide Criminal Defense Practice

With criminal allegations against you, a strong defense could be your only hope for avoiding harsh penalties. It’s time to take action and begin building a legal strategy that preserves your rights and protects your interests. When you need a criminal defense lawyer who is wholly invested in advocating for you, you need Forge Litigation Group.

With decades of experience and skills cultivated in his role as a former Assistant Public Defender, Carlos F. Gonzalez leads our criminal defense practice. He is prepared to provide legal support for every stage of the criminal justice process. The accusations against you are only unproven allegations, and he’ll take every opportunity as your legal counsel to challenge the prosecution’s efforts to secure a conviction. Contact us today to get started with a confidential consultation.

Sophisticated Legal Counsel for Complex Criminal Cases in Miami and Beyond

For a legal strategy that’s prepared to stand up to ambitious prosecutors, you need a criminal defense lawyer who won’t back down. In Carlos F. Gonzalez’s work defending clients against criminal charges at the state level, as well as allegations of federal crime, he provides relentless advocacy. He pursues resolutions in our client’s favor at every stage, from investigation through trial, appeals, and post-conviction, if necessary.

Types of Criminal Charges We Handle

IIn our criminal defense practice, we concentrate primarily on representing individuals charged with complex crimes, from homicide and other crimes of violence to white-collar offenses.

Examples of the types of charges I defend clients against include:

Assault
Bank fraud
Homicide
Wire fraud
Medicare and Medicaid fraud
Money laundering
Racketeering
Select cases involving violent crimes

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it is representative of the types of criminal matters that Forge Litigation Group can handle for you. We have built our practice around advocating for clients and cases that we’re passionate about. We don’t see legal representation as some impersonal relationship where we merely show up to court proceedings to provide a service. Instead, we are advocates who are fully devoted to fighting for our clients’ best interests.

Representation at the Intersection of Criminal and Civil Law

In many of the types of criminal cases we handle, you may also be facing potential civil claims against you. A person or organization that purports to be a victim of your alleged crime could file litigation seeking financial damages from you. When you’re already under the stress of a criminal investigation, this civil legal action can amplify your troubles.

At Forge Litigation Group, our practice spans criminal defense and civil litigation. For example, we fully understand how legal issues overlap in matters of fraud allegations and white-collar criminal accusations. Whether you’re facing lawsuits for asset recovery arising out of alleged fraud, civil claims resulting from alleged RICO offenses, or potential business impacts of embezzlement accusations, we provide comprehensive legal knowledge and actionable guidance for managing parallel proceedings.

Legal Help for Criminal Charges at the State and Federal Levels and Beyond

Criminal charges can be filed at both the state and federal levels, depending on the specific statutes you’re accused of violating. Charges of fraud and other white-collar crimes often involve offenses that allegedly crossed state lines, used certain channels of communication, impacted interstate commerce, or otherwise violated federal law. With experience handling cases in both state and federal courts, we are prepared to manage the differing demands of the legal process and prepare the most effective defense possible.

Some criminal investigations pertain to allegations that cross not only state lines but international boundaries. Drawing on Carlos F. Gonzalez’s experience handling cross-border legal issues, parallel proceedings, and the requirements of courts in different jurisdictions, we also advise clients on matters involving Interpol investigations.

Why Having Professional Legal Help During Criminal Investigations Matters

Many people who learn they are under investigation for potential criminal activities don’t take action right away. That’s a big mistake, because there are a lot of opportunities to begin building your defense while the police investigation is still underway.

Some of the explanations people often give for not consulting a lawyer during a police investigation include:

Wanting to “wait and see” if the allegations give rise to formal charges
Fearing that retaining a lawyer will make them appear guilty
Not wanting to spend money on a lawyer this early in the legal process
Not knowing how to move forward
Being afraid to take action
Hoping that the issue will go away on its own
Being unaware that representation during the investigation stage is available or that early legal intervention can result in more favorable outcomes

While we certainly can step in later in the legal process (and have done so with success), the reality is that an attorney’s advocacy during the criminal investigation offers opportunities for building a defense that you won’t get at any other stage of the process.

Early legal intervention during the investigation ensures that you’re able to benefit to the fullest extent possible from the following:

An opportunity to conduct a parallel investigation focused on identifying evidence that supports your defense
A chance to gather evidence while it is still fresh, avoiding issues in which evidence in your favor is disposed of or disappears
Preservation of your legal rights during all police questioning or searches
Guidance to protect you from making statements that could undermine your defense
An opportunity to negotiate with law enforcement or prosecutors proactively, which could potentially lead to favorable plea agreements or dismissals of the case before charges are ever filed
A chance to begin developing your legal strategy and shaping your approach to the criminal justice process before complications arise or avoidable mistakes are made

When we represent clients during a criminal investigation, we take advantage of every opportunity to begin building their case for the most favorable outcome.

Defenses a Criminal Investigations Attorney Might Explore

Charges such as fraud, money laundering, and racketeering are serious offenses, but they can still be challenged through a well-developed defense. The types of arguments that are commonly used in defense of these charges include:

A lack of intent to defraud or deceive
A lack of knowledge of the criminal activities occurring in your organization
Genuine mistakes that occurred while acting in good faith, rather than deliberate misconduct
Offenses committed under duress or coercion, such as threats made by someone else
Withdrawal from the criminal enterprise in racketeering and related offenses
The lack of a pattern of criminal activities or a criminal enterprise in racketeering charges
False allegations or mistaken identities
Insufficient evidence to secure a conviction
Evidence obtained through constitutional rights violations and other improper means, including illegal search and seizure

In our criminal defense practice, we tailor every strategy to the specific circumstances of our client’s case. An effective defense isn’t one-size-fits-all but rather an argument built on the unique facts of your situation and the evidence available to support your case.

How Forge Litigation Group Can Help

At every stage of the criminal justice process, your actions matter. Taking the right actions can strengthen the foundation of your defense, but making mistakes could undermine your strategy. It’s important that your attorney doesn’t just show up at proceedings but instead is proactively involved in your case at every stage.

As your criminal defense firm, we are prepared to manage every aspect of your case. You’ll never face the legal process alone. We are here to be your advocate, guide, and trusted resource for all of the stages and demands of your legal matter, including:

The initial investigation
Law enforcement interactions and interrogations
Pre-trial motions
Grand jury proceedings
Plea negotiations
Trial preparation and case presentation
Post-conviction proceedings and appeals

Whenever you decide that it’s time to bring on legal guidance, prompt consultation of an attorney helps to protect your rights going forward. Because of this reality, we strongly encourage those facing serious criminal charges in Florida to contact us as soon as possible, even if the case against you is still only under investigation and charges haven’t been formally filed yet.

Why Choose Forge Litigation Group as Your Criminal Defense Law Firm?

By choosing Forge Litigation Group as your criminal investigations law firm, you gain legal counsel that’s committed to advocating for you, exploring all strategies for achieving a favorable outcome, and going the extra mile to gather evidence that supports your defense.

A Focus on Advocacy, Not Judgment

The allegations against you can make you feel isolated, especially if they bring negative media coverage, too. At our law firm, we approach each case with the mentality that the crime the prosecutor accuses our client of perpetrating is only an unproven allegation. We are here to help you navigate the legal process and preserve the full rights and protections you’re entitled to under the law.

Consideration of All Avenues for Resolution

Some defense lawyers will pressure clients into taking a plea bargain to avoid going to court, even if a trial could offer a more promising path forward. We won’t do that. One of Carlos Gonzalez’s favorite parts of practicing criminal defense law is forcing the government to prove the allegations against our clients beyond a reasonable doubt. We are prepare every case for the possibility of a trial, and We are always willing to take each case as far as necessary to achieve the best possible resolution for our client.

A Hands-on Approach to Criminal Defense Investigations

The strength of your defense depends in large part on the evidence that supports your arguments. When we represent a client against criminal charges, we leave no stone unturned in our efforts to collect evidence in their favor. Although we frequently work with professional investigators, we have personally walked neighborhoods, knocked on doors, and searched for witnesses to secure the evidence that helps build our clients’ cases for success.

Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer at Forge Litigation Group Today for a consultation

If you’re under investigation, now is the time to give yourself every possible advantage by bringing on skilled defense counsel. I offer consultations, ensuring that those accused of criminal offenses have the chance to understand their rights and their legal options.

For help from a criminal investigations attorney, contact Forge Litigation Group online or call 786-933-8794 today.

Criminal Defense Practice