What distinguishes civil claims from criminal matters?

Generally, criminal cases involve violations of the law for which a person who is convicted can face penalties such as fines, probation, or potentially jail time. Civil cases are non-criminal matters that involve disputes between individuals or businesses and are resolved primarily by one party paying monetary compensation to the other. Some legal matters involve both civil and criminal actions. Although these actions are separate, filed in different courts and processed through different procedures, it helps to have an attorney who understands the nuances of both civil and criminal law guiding you through these matters.

How long do I have to file a civil claim in Miami-Dade County?

Civil litigation in Miami-Dade County and throughout Florida is subject to strict statutes of limitations, or time limits by which you must formally file a claim. Failing to meet these deadlines could bar you from moving forward with your case. Generally, Florida law requires fraud claims to be filed within four years. Contract-related claims for damages typically must be filed within four years for oral contracts or five years for written contracts. Because the statute of limitations that applies to your case depends on the specific facts and the type of civil claim you’re pursuing, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible to determine what deadlines you must meet.

When should I consult an attorney about criminal charges in Miami-Dade County?

The sooner you involve an attorney in a potential criminal matter, the better a position your lawyer is in to provide an effective defense. If you become aware that you are the subject of a criminal investigation, you should consult an attorney even before any charges are filed. If you have already been arrested, it’s important to exercise your right to remain silent and decline to speak with police until you have consulted an attorney.

How much does legal representation cost in Miami-Dade County?

The cost of legal representation can vary significantly depending on the type of case and the unique facts involved in your situation. To make sure professional legal guidance is within reach, I offer confidential consultations and a flexible approach to fees. Depending on the specifics of your case, it may be possible to move forward under a contingency-based fee model, a flat-fee arrangement, a success fee model, or other approaches to managing legal costs. I also provide public interest and pro bono legal representation and can advise you on whether you may qualify for no-cost or low-cost assistance.

Miami-Dade County Civil and Criminal Lawyer | Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense Attorney Miami-Dade County FL

Trusted Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense Attorney in Miami-Dade County, FL

When you’re dealing with legal issues in Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Homestead, Miami Gardens, or beyond, you need dedicated representation to manage the challenges of your case. As an experienced Miami-Dade County civil and criminal lawyer who takes clients’ legal matters as far as necessary to secure the most favorable outcome, Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., is here for you during tumultuous legal matters of all kinds.

Don’t underestimate the challenges the legal process can pose. The guidance of a civil litigation and criminal defense attorney in Miami-Dade County, FL, is critical in building a strong case and devising an effective legal strategy. Contact me today for a confidential consultation, and find out what dedicated representation and extensive knowledge of local court procedures can do for your case.

Types of Cases Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., Handles in Miami-Dade County, Florida

Some attorneys handle only civil claims for damages, while others exclusively defend clients against criminal charges. However, there are many situations where these matters overlap, including civil disputes that involve potential criminal components, business scandals arising out of white-collar crime allegations, and criminal cases that give rise to civil claims for damages.

When you’re dealing with a matter at the intersection of these distinct areas of law, you need the guidance and advocacy of an experienced Miami-Dade County civil and criminal lawyer.

I serve clients facing a wide array of legal issues, including the following.

Civil Litigation and Claims for Monetary Damages

Civil legal matters don’t directly involve crimes or criminal punishments, such as jail time. Instead, they generally seek to hold a defendant financially accountable for the consequences of wrongful or negligent actions.

While some civil cases are relatively simple, these cases can quickly become more complicated when they involve multiple defendants or jurisdictions, criminal components, and intricate causes of action. I represent clients in a variety of Miami-Dade County complex civil litigation matters, including:

Miami-Dade County anti‑suit injunctions and parallel proceedings: Cases in which multiple legal actions arising out of the same situation are proceeding, including actions in different jurisdictions or in both civil and criminal courts, whether or not a court orders an anti-suit injunction to stop or pause one case
Miami-Dade County civil fraud claims: Claims for damages arising out of a defendant’s fraudulent or deceptive conduct, which can be filed in civil court as a separate legal action from any criminal charges the defendant is facing
Miami-Dade County civil theft claims: Damages claims through which a victim of theft can recover not only their actual losses but, under Florida law, three times their actual damages
Miami-Dade County cross‑border and international litigation: Civil disputes between individuals or companies in different states and countries, which carry the added complexities of managing the laws and legal procedures of multiple jurisdictions
Miami-Dade County civil RICO and business fraud: Litigation through which a plaintiff could pursue financial liability for alleged violations of racketeering, organized crime activities, or fraudulent business practices, with Florida statutes allowing for treble damages

A civil lawsuit may not lead to jail time, but its outcome still matters. As a plaintiff, not recovering everything you’re entitled to means never being made fully whole for your legally recognized losses. For defendants, owing a plaintiff large awards of treble damages can result in significant financial hardships.

Business Legal Dispute Representation

Business dealings aren’t without legal risk. When a business is facing some kind of dispute with a client, customer, supplier, vendor, or other entity with whom it has a working relationship, this disagreement could involve legal action.

I represent clients in numerous types of Miami-Dade County business disputes, including:

Miami-Dade County breach of contract litigation: Cases in which one party bound by a legally enforceable contract has failed to meet its obligations
Miami-Dade County defamation & disparagement litigation: Lawsuits arising out of a defendant’s untrue statements about your business that harm the company’s reputation or result in financial loss
Miami-Dade County tortious interference litigation: Claims for damages against a third party who intentionally prevented one party from fulfilling its contractual obligations to another party or who disrupted others’ professional relationships
Miami-Dade County partnership disputes and dissolution: Disagreements between business partners, which may be resolved through professionally managed negotiations or may require litigation or potentially dissolution of the partnership

Having skilled legal guidance can mean the difference between effective resolution strategies that protect your interests and long, drawn-out legal battles that can lead to wasted time and money for both parties.

Criminal Defense and Legal Support During Investigations

Some of the highest-stakes legal matters you could face in Florida are serious criminal charges. I provide dedicated Miami-Dade County criminal defense services for those charged with sophisticated white‑collar crimes, including:

Miami-Dade County bank fraud charges: Offenses such as knowingly writing bad checks, using stolen credit card information, and opening accounts or applying for loans under someone else’s name
Miami-Dade County conspiracy charges: Agreements between two or more people to violate the law
Miami-Dade County healthcare fraud charges: Using deceptive means to obtain unauthorized benefits, services, or payments from a medical benefit program, whether as a healthcare provider or a patient
Miami-Dade County money laundering charges: Intentionally employing strategies to obscure the true source of funds obtained through illegal activities
Miami-Dade County tax fraud charges: Intentional nonpayment or underpayment of taxes owed through underreporting income or assets, claiming deductions or credits you don’t qualify for, or concealing assets
Miami-Dade County wire fraud charges: The use of telecommunications systems such as radio or television broadcasts, phone systems, and the internet to carry out fraudulent schemes

In addition to defending against state-level charges, I provide experienced representation against charges of federal crimes in Miami-Dade County. I handle Miami-Dade County appeals at both the state and federal levels when a legal or procedural error in the processing of your case has resulted in an unfair ruling.

I also use the skills I’ve developed as a white-collar criminal defense attorney to conduct thorough internal investigations to help business leaders in Miami-Dade County and beyond uncover fraud, embezzlement, and other criminal activity within their organizations.

Support for Civil Rights Litigation

As a champion of my clients’ causes and their rights, I proudly hold government entities and other defendants accountable for civil rights violations. I focus my Miami-Dade County civil rights litigation practice primarily on Section 1983 claims, which, under federal law, permit an individual to hold government actors at the state and local levels responsible for violating their rights.

Crisis Management and Communications in Legal Issues

Many legal matters can also give rise to bad press and public backlash. With experience handling crisis management communications, I’m prepared to help the clients I represent craft narrative responses to one-sided media coverage and unproven allegations, protecting their reputations in the community.

Public Interest and Pro Bono Legal Work

I believe in giving back to the Miami-Dade County community through pro bono and public interest work. For clients in desperate situations who can’t afford to retain an attorney at standard rates, I provide no-cost or low-cost legal services. In my large pro bono practice, I concentrate on providing trial or post-conviction assistance to individuals charged with serious crimes as well as people who have been imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit.

Areas Served in Miami-Dade County, FL

I’m dedicated to providing legal representation for clients all over South Florida. From my office in Coral Gables, FL, I serve all areas of Miami-Dade County, including:

Miami
Hialeah
Miami Gardens
Miami Beach
Homestead
Doral
North Miami
Coral Gables
Cutler Bay
North Miami Beach
Aventura
Miami Lakes
Palmetto Bay
Hialeah Gardens
Sunny Isles Beach
Sweetwater
Pinecrest
Opa-locka
Key Biscayne
Miami Springs
Florida City
South Miami
Miami Shores
North Bay Village
West Miami
Bay Harbor Islands
Surfside
Biscayne Park
Bal Harbour
Virginia Gardens
El Portal
Medley
Golden Beach
Indian Creek

Wherever you are in South Florida, you benefit from having a law firm like Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., on your side.

The Benefits of Retaining a Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense Attorney in Miami-Dade County, FL

As your Miami-Dade County civil and criminal lawyer, my goal will be to secure the most favorable outcome possible for your legal matter. In civil claims for damages, that often means pursuing the full compensation you’re entitled to under the law. For the clients I defend against criminal charges, that means minimizing the consequences through outcomes that can range from getting charges dismissed or attaining not-guilty trial verdicts to securing favorable terms in a plea agreement.

Throughout your case, I will handle every aspect of the legal process for you. I know what an effective case needs, including thorough investigations and evidence collection, development of a strong legal strategy, and constant advocacy.

Why Choose Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A. as Your Miami-Dade County Civil and Criminal Lawyer?

With Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., on your side, you will have an attorney with knowledge of the local courts, constant trial-readiness, and extensive experience.

Local Legal Knowledge

When you need a Miami-Dade County civil and criminal lawyer who knows local procedures, Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., is the clear choice. I’ve served this area for 25 years, including beginning my legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County.

Willingness to Go to Court

While out-of-court resolutions can lead to favorable outcomes in many matters, I believe in preparing every case for the possibility of a trial. I’m always willing to fight for my clients in court if necessary, and this dedicated preparation can support positive outcomes both inside and outside the courtroom.

Decades of Experience

Not only has my practice served clients in Miami-Dade County since 2015, but I also bring 25 years of legal experience to each case. Having served in a variety of roles in different capacities, including large regional and international law firms, I draw on this breadth and depth of experience to build effective cases.

About Civil and Criminal Legal Issues in Miami-Dade County

In a highly populated county like Miami-Dade, which is home to millions of residents as well as a regular influx of tourists, the circumstances that give rise to legal matters of all kinds are common. Personal and business disputes, criminal allegations, and violations of civil rights by law enforcement agencies and other parties can happen throughout the county, particularly in business districts and residential neighborhoods.

With knowledge of court procedures and the legal community in Miami-Dade County, I provide insider insights into how local matters can impact your case.

Contact a Miami-Dade County Civil and Criminal Lawyer at Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., Today for a Case Review

What you do next matters. In the context of a legal issue, every move can either strengthen your case or undermine it. Whatever type of legal matter you’re facing, early guidance from an experienced professional offers advantages, preparing you to seize opportunities as well as avoid common mistakes.

For help from a civil litigation and criminal defense attorney in Miami-Dade County, FL, contact Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A. online or call 786-933-8794 today.

Miami-Dade County Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense