What should I do if I’m facing legal trouble?

If you’re dealing with legal issues of any kind, you should retain professional counsel you can count on to advise and represent you. Don’t answer police questions, negotiate with the opposing party in a lawsuit, or take drastic actions in a business dispute. Inform other parties that you will need to speak with your lawyer before you can discuss the situation further, and stick to that decision. Otherwise, you could risk making unintentionally incriminating statements in criminal matters or making mistakes that undermine your claim in civil litigation. Consult my law firm for guidance as soon as possible. I offer confidential consultations to ensure everyone who could potentially benefit from my legal services can get their questions answered and fully understand their rights without cost, obligation, or privacy concerns.

Why should I consider hiring an attorney who handles both civil and criminal matters?

Whether you’re dealing with complex civil litigation, charges of sophisticated white-collar crimes, or legal trouble arising out of business fraud scandals, you need your case in the hands of an attorney who understands it from every angle. It’s not uncommon for legal issues of this nature to involve elements of both civil and criminal law. Civil theft and fraud claims may focus on recovering compensation, but the criminal wrongdoing that gave rise to them is still an important element of the case. If you’ve been charged with money laundering or fraud, there’s a chance that you could face civil lawsuits as well as potential criminal penalties. For businesses involved in disputes, too, there can often be some overlap between civil wrongs and criminal violations. Choosing an attorney with both a breadth and depth of experience means gaining the benefits of comprehensive legal support. With a detailed understanding of both civil and criminal law, I recognize what’s at stake, how parallel proceedings in different courts can impact one another, and how to build a strategy that accounts for every aspect of your legal issue.

How much does legal representation cost in Palm Beach, FL?

Different cases can proceed in drastically different ways and require very different types of legal services. To ensure that you have realistic, informed expectations about the costs of legal assistance, you should discuss your specific situation with any attorney you are considering hiring to represent you. Ideally, an attorney will be able to provide an answer that’s tailored to your unique situation. At Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., I take a flexible approach to legal fees. Depending on your situation, options that may be available to you can include contingency fees in civil matters, flat fees, and success fees.

Is legal representation by Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., only for wealthy and powerful clients?

No, I don’t focus on legal services for the wealthy and powerful. In fact, I have built my practice around fighting for the proverbial “little guy.” In today’s legal landscape, this can include anyone from victims of fraud and theft perpetrated by major companies to small businesses being taken advantage of by larger corporations, and from people from underserved communities who have suffered civil rights violations to criminal defendants facing overreaching prosecutors and extremely negative media coverage. I often fight for the least powerful, least moneyed person in the room, ensuring they receive the full protections they’re entitled to under the law.

Palm Beach Civil and Criminal Lawyer | Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense Attorney Palm Beach FL

Accomplished Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense Attorney in Palm Beach, FL

When facing any kind of legal issue, whether civil or criminal in nature, your greatest advantage is skilled legal counsel advocating relentlessly for your best interests. As a Palm Beach civil and criminal lawyer, I represent individuals and small businesses locked in difficult legal battles for their freedom, the compensation that makes them whole, or the preservation of their civil rights.

Trust your case to Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., and find out the difference having an experienced civil litigation and criminal defense attorney in Palm Beach, FL, can make in your case. I begin every civil claim and criminal defense strategy with a confidential consultation, so you have nothing to lose by getting to know your rights and exploring your legal options. For the guidance and legal support you need for this turbulent time, contact me today.

Types of Cases Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., Handles in Palm Beach

As a Palm Beach civil and criminal lawyer, I provide my clients with the support they need to recover the compensation they deserve after being wronged, defend against serious criminal charges, handle disputes between businesses, and more.

Civil Litigation

Lawsuits can be complex legal issues, often involving complicated causes of action, multiple defendants, and legal issues raised in multiple courts or jurisdictions. I support my clients through the full array of Palm Beach complex civil litigation, including the following:

Palm Beach anti‑suit injunctions: In legal issues that involve multiple proceedings in different courts or jurisdictions, I help clients advocate for injunctions to stop a suit from moving forward or strategically fight back against such an injunction that isn’t in my client’s best interest.
Palm Beach cross‑border and international litigation: When you’re involved in a legal issue with a party in another state or country, I use my knowledge of international litigation to address concerns pertaining to the laws and procedural rules of different courts.
Palm Beach civil fraud cases: Through a claim filed in the civil legal system, a fraud victim can receive compensation to make them whole, separate from any criminal case against the perpetrator.
Palm Beach civil theft lawsuits: I fight to recover clients harmed by theft, not only the actual value of the stolen property, but the threefold damages that they may be entitled to under Florida law.
Palm Beach civil RICO and business fraud claims: I handle cases filed in civil court over losses allegedly caused by racketeering, organized criminal activities, or fraudulent business schemes.

Business Legal Dispute Representation

How you address Palm Beach business disputes makes a difference. As your advocate, I’m ready to pursue the most favorable outcome possible for you, whether through strategic negotiations or aggressive litigation. Types of business legal issues I handle include:

Palm Beach breach of contract claims: If someone has broken a business contract you had with them, you can hold them legally and financially accountable through a breach of contract lawsuit.
Palm Beach tortious interference lawsuits: In tortious interference cases, you can pursue liability on the part of a third party who is responsible for a breach of contract or disruption to your established business relationships through their intentional conduct
Palm Beach defamation and disparagement cases: I fight for my business clients, helping them hold accountable people or organizations that make untrue statements that harm their business’s reputation or earnings.
Palm Beach business partnership disputes: When business partners disagree on big-picture issues, I can help them find a path forward through interpretation of their partnership agreements, negotiations, and litigation.

Criminal Defense and Legal Support During Investigations

When you need a Palm Beach criminal defense attorney to help you beat serious charges, dedication matters. At Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., I focus on providing effective defenses against charges of Palm Beach white‑collar crimes, including:

Palm Beach bank fraud charges: Violations such as credit card fraud, check fraud, mortgage fraud, and loan fraud are all forms of bank fraud, in which the target of deception is a financial institution or money under its control (including in its customers’ accounts).
Palm Beach healthcare fraud charges: Healthcare fraud charges can be filed against providers for deceptive billing practices or against patients for seeking unauthorized services or benefits through misleading statements on applications or falsified diagnoses.
Palm Beach wire fraud charges: If the fraudulent activities you’re accused of carrying out involve the use of phone networks, the internet, or radio or television broadcasts, you could be charged with wire fraud.
Palm Beach tax fraud charges: Felony-level tax evasion charges can arise if you’re accused of intentionally underreporting your income, hiding assets, failing to file required tax returns or records, or otherwise avoiding payment of your tax burden.
Palm Beach money laundering charges: In money laundering cases, you can be accused of a crime over financial transactions that you made if the prosecutor alleges that you made these transactions with the intention of hiding the fact that the money was obtained through unlawful means.
Palm Beach conspiracy charges: When you’re accused of agreeing to join one or more other people in intentionally breaking the law, you can face conspiracy charges. In some cases, you may be charged with conspiracy even if no further step toward carrying out the alleged plan was taken.

I defend against these and other criminal charges filed at both the federal and state levels. I also carry over the skills needed to investigate and gather evidence in criminal cases into my Palm Beach internal investigations. Business leaders count on my services to help them identify fraud within their companies and determine how to move forward to protect their interests.

The legal process isn’t perfect. For defendants who believe some sort of legal error during their trial unfairly influenced its outcome, I can evaluate whether the grounds for an appeal exist and, if so, prepare the legal documents needed to ask a higher court to intervene.

Civil Rights Litigation

Through Palm Beach civil rights litigation, I stand up for people whose most important rights have been violated, from denial of due process of law to discrimination in the workplace or in housing applications. Not only can these violations have a severe impact on individuals, but the patterns of conduct that give rise to them can contribute to unfair and unconstitutional procedures in the community. I address these issues through Section 1983 claims and other types of civil rights litigation.

Crisis Management & Communications

Given the high-status residents of Palm Beach, FL, it’s no surprise that legal issues here often attract publicity. Bad press can be particularly concerning when it’s not just your reputation and your feelings on the line, but potentially your business’s public image, as well. I help my clients craft narrative responses to one-sided media coverage and tell their stories strategically to counter unfair publicity with demonstrated skills in crisis management communications.

Areas Served in Palm Beach, FL

As a Palm Beach civil and criminal lawyer, I serve clients up and down the 18-mile-long, narrow barrier island, including those living (if only part-time), working, or vacationing in the following areas:

Billionaire’s Row
Midtown
North End
South End
Royal Poinciana Way Historic District
Royal Poinciana Plaza
Worth Avenue shopping district

I also serve the nearby city of West Palm Beach and the rest of Palm Beach County.

Many of my clients have homes in multiple locations or were only visiting at the time their legal troubles began, and they subsequently have to return home during the months that can pass while a case moves forward. With extensive experience handling cross-border legal issues and a willingness to fly across the country on short notice if needed to meet with clients, I’m equipped to represent you in Palm Beach legal matters that involve matters in different jurisdictions or require travel.

How a Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense Attorney in Palm Beach, FL, Will Make the Legal Process More Manageable

In the midst of legal issues, you’re in for a turbulent time. You may be dealing with current or anticipated losses of finances, freedom, and reputational standing. On top of everything else, you’re facing the demands of the legal process.

As your Palm Beach civil and criminal lawyer, I aim to help you through this difficult situation by:

Representing you and your interests in all legal proceedings
Conducting a meticulous investigation to gather all evidence and documentation that supports your case
Overseeing interactions with law enforcement, court officials, opposing parties, and the media to protect you from common mistakes
Developing a personalized legal strategy, based on the unique facts of your situation, that focuses on attaining the most favorable outcome possible
Providing the support you need throughout the legal process, including objective assessments of the case, answers to your questions, and guidance and advice to help you approach every new stage with confidence

As difficult as this situation is, having a dedicated advocate on your side can make circumstances more manageable.

Why Choose Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., as Your Palm Beach Civil and Criminal Lawyer?

At Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., my law firm is well known for providing much-needed legal support, preparing every case for a potential trial, and traveling when needed to assist my clients.

A Commitment to Help, Not Judgment

While the public and the media may jump to conclusions, I recognize criminal charges as the unproven allegations they are and bad press as publicity that’s often one-sided and unfair. My focus is on safeguarding your rights, upholding the protections you’re entitled to under the legal process, and pursuing the outcome that most benefits you.

A Trial-Ready Approach to Every Case

Not every case proceeds all the way to trial, but every legal matter should be prepared for the possibility of going to court. I’m a trial lawyer who builds every case with a potential trial in mind, and that means developing an effective strategy and strong, evidence-based arguments in your favor. My readiness to fight for you in court can also put you in a strong position from which to negotiate out-of-court resolutions.

Willingness to Travel to Meet My Clients’ Legal Needs

Whether you’re a Palm Beach resident with business or a second home elsewhere, or a tourist whose legal matter began during a vacation to this area, I know how important it is to have legal guidance where and when you need it. I travel to meet clients at their homes, in hospitals, or in jail. I have no reservations about hopping on a plane on short notice to be by your side before the court, the media, or an opposing party.

About Civil and Criminal Legal Issues in Palm Beach, Florida

This barrier island town along the Intracoastal Waterway is among the wealthiest places in the country. Dozens of billionaires own property here. The island town is home to major commercial districts and upscale shopping districts such as Royal Poinciana Plaza, Royal Poinciana Way Historic District, and Worth Avenue.

Notably, a high percentage of West Palm Beach residents are professionals working in the types of sectors in which allegations of white-collar criminal activities most commonly arise, including:

Finance
Insurance
Real estate
Management
Professional services
Scientific services
Healthcare

When residents of Palm Beach and workers in this coastal town face criminal charges of white-collar crimes, business disputes, or theft- and fraud-related losses for which recourse is available through the civil legal system, they need informed, dedicated guidance.

Contact a Palm Beach Civil and Criminal Lawyer at Carlos F. Gonzalez, P.A., Today for a Case Evaluation

It’s time to secure the guidance and support you need to achieve the best outcome for your legal matter. I offer a case review and an objective evaluation of your circumstances to ensure that you have the knowledge and advice needed to empower you to make informed decisions about your situation.

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

Palm Beach Civil Litigation and Criminal Defense