Hialeah Criminal Defense Attorney
Direct attorney representation for weapon charges, domestic violence, drug charges, and DUI cases in Hialeah. Free, confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who investigates and arrests for criminal charges in Hialeah?+
Is a Spanish-language interpreter available for my hearing in Hialeah?+
What happens immediately after a domestic violence arrest in Miami-Dade?+
What is Florida's 10-20-Life law and how does it affect a weapon charge?+
How does Florida charge drug possession versus drug trafficking?+
Where is my Hialeah criminal case heard?+
Can a Hialeah criminal charge be sealed or expunged later?+
What happens if I violate probation on a Hialeah case?+
Criminal Defense Representation in Hialeah
Hialeah is Florida's sixth-largest city, served by its own CALEA-accredited police department in a community where Spanish is the primary language for a large share of residents. Four areas make up the majority of Hialeah criminal defense cases the firm handles.
Firearm Possession and 10-20-Life
Florida firearm cases sit on three tracks at once: a state charge under Chapter 790, a 10-20-Life enhancement under Fla. Stat. Section 775.087, and potential federal exposure under 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g) or 924(c). See our full Weapon Charges Defense page for the complete framework.
Assault, Battery, and Injunctions
Florida law mandates an overnight hold for every domestic violence arrest, with bond decided at daily 11 a.m. calendars. The full Domestic Violence Criminal Defense page covers the complete framework.
Possession, Sale, and Trafficking
Charges under Fla. Stat. Sections 893.13 and 893.135, where the specific quantity involved determines whether mandatory minimum trafficking penalties apply. Details are on the Drug Charges Defense page.
DUI and Traffic Defense
DUI and traffic defense cases, all heard at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building downtown regardless of the arrest location within Hialeah. More detail is on the Hialeah DUI Lawyer page.
Some Sentences Cannot Be Negotiated Down
Florida's 10-20-Life law and drug trafficking statutes both impose mandatory minimum sentences that a judge cannot reduce below the statutory floor, regardless of mitigating circumstances. These cases are won or lost early, in the charging and evidence-review stage, not at sentencing.
- 10-20-Life mandatory minimums apply to specific enumerated felonies involving a firearm
- Drug trafficking mandatory minimums are triggered by specific weight thresholds
- Every domestic violence arrest results in a mandatory overnight hold under Florida law
- Certified Spanish-language interpreters are available for any hearing at no cost
How a Hialeah Criminal Case Gets Built
A weapon charge, a drug charge, and a domestic violence charge each carry a genuinely different statutory framework. Identifying which mandatory minimums and enhancements apply is the first, necessary step in any case.
Language Access From the First Call
Spanish is the primary language for a large share of Hialeah residents, and the local court system reflects that. Certified Spanish-language interpreters are available at no cost for any hearing. Kaylee, the firm's office assistant, handles Spanish-language intake directly for clients who are more comfortable communicating in Spanish, so the first conversation about a case does not have to happen in a second language. When implied consent warnings or Miranda rights were given only in English to someone who did not understand them, that fact can become a genuine issue in the defense.
The mandatory minimum is the floor, not the ceiling, and the fight to avoid it happens before sentencing.
Weapon Charges and 10-20-Life
A weapon charge often hinges on whether the underlying felony is one of the specific, enumerated offenses that triggers Florida's 10-20-Life mandatory minimums under Fla. Stat. Section 775.087. Whether the firearm was possessed, displayed, or discharged changes the mandatory minimum significantly, from 10 years to 20 years to 25 years to life. Because prosecutors have discretion in the initial charging decision, an early, careful review of the evidence and the specific charge filed is critical.
Nearly 30 Years Representing Law Enforcement
Since 1997, Andre has served the Professional Law Enforcement Association, first as General Counsel through 2007 and as Associate General Counsel since, defending the rights of police officers. That work, spanning nearly three decades, means a genuine, working familiarity with how South Florida law enforcement investigates, arrests, and builds a case, from the inside. That same familiarity applies directly when defending a client against those same investigative and arrest procedures.
Every Case Starts at Gerstein
Regardless of charge type or which agency made the arrest, a Miami-Dade criminal case is heard at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building downtown, including the first appearance and bond hearing within 24 hours of arrest. Understanding this timeline from the outset shapes how quickly a defense needs to be built.
Related Legal Matters
A Hialeah criminal case frequently overlaps with related defense and personal injury areas.
The outcome of a Hialeah criminal case depends on the specific charge, the applicable mandatory minimums, and how the evidence is reviewed early in the case, and that requires a real review, not a guess. The first consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to retain.
Criminal Defense Representation Across South Florida
Local courthouses, arresting agencies, and case timelines vary by city. See detailed information for the areas below, or see the firm's full Areas We Serve page.
Direct attorney access at (305) 774-7000
The outcome of a Hialeah criminal case depends on the specific charge, the applicable mandatory minimums, and how quickly a defense gets built. The first consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to retain.
