Coral Gables Criminal Defense Attorney
Direct attorney representation for weapon charges, domestic violence, drug charges, and DUI cases in Coral Gables. Free, confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who investigates and arrests for criminal charges in Coral Gables?+
Is a Spanish-language interpreter available for my hearing in Coral Gables?+
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?+
What happens immediately after a domestic violence arrest in Miami-Dade?+
Where is my Coral Gables criminal case heard?+
What if I was arrested for domestic violence but never touched anyone?+
Can a Coral Gables criminal charge be sealed or expunged later?+
What happens if I violate probation on a Coral Gables case?+
Criminal Defense Representation in Coral Gables
Coral Gables is home to the firm's own office, and it is one of the few Miami-Dade cities with its own, independent CALEA-accredited police department rather than county-wide Sheriff's Office coverage. Four areas make up the majority of Coral Gables 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). The full Weapon Charges Defense page covers the complete framework, including Stand Your Ground immunity and constructive possession.
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, sometimes a difference of a few grams, determines whether mandatory minimum trafficking penalties apply. See the full Drug Charges Defense page for how those weight thresholds work.
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 Coral Gables. Details are on the Coral Gables 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
- First appearance and bond hearings happen within 24 hours of arrest
How a Coral Gables 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
Coral Gables has a substantial Spanish-speaking population, 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.
A Separate Municipal Police Force
The city runs its own, CALEA-accredited police department, a distinction most Miami-Dade cities do not have. Records, reports, and arrest procedures run through Coral Gables PD directly rather than the county Sheriff's Office, though the two agencies coordinate on larger investigations. Knowing which agency built the case, and how, matters for identifying what evidence exists and where.
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.
Drug Charges and Quantity Thresholds
Florida's drug laws draw a sharp line at specific weight thresholds. A charge under Fla. Stat. Section 893.13 for simple possession carries meaningfully different exposure than a trafficking charge under Fla. Stat. Section 893.135, and the difference often comes down to a small margin in weight. Confirming exactly how the substance was measured and weighed is frequently a central part of the case.
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 Coral Gables criminal case frequently overlaps with related defense and personal injury areas.
The outcome of a Coral Gables 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 Coral Gables 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.
