Wellington Weapon Charges Lawyer

Weapon Charges Attorney in Wellington, FL

Though state gun laws are rather reasonable in Florida, certain violations can still occur. When they do, criminal charges are often the result. These charges come with steep penalties, like decades spent in prison and the loss of certain rights. Maybe you were carrying a concealed weapon without a concealed weapons license in Commons Park. Perhaps you’ve been accused of removing serial numbers from a firearm at home in Eastwood. No matter your allegations, a Wellington, FL, weapon charges lawyer can represent you.

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Why Hire The Law Offices of Julian M. Kessel?

For over half a decade, The Law Offices of Julian M. Kessel has been fighting for the rights of Wellington residents who face a variety of criminal charges. Weapon charges are a dire matter, and you need to secure a weapons charges attorney who has the experience necessary to build you a solid defense. You also need a legal champion who’s not afraid to fight. He’s proud of his reputation as an aggressive, passionate, and zealous lawyer who works hard for his clients.

State prosecutors know that facing Julian M. Kessel means dealing with someone who tenaciously and strategically defends his clients through every legal avenue.

Wellington Weapon Charges Laws

In Florida, weapon charges encompass a wide range of different offenses. In each case, though, the legal ramifications are serious. Not only can you face prison time and expensive fines, but you would also face a permanent criminal record. Among other matters, this can affect your future employability, as the unemployment rate for individuals with a criminal record is around 30%.

Understanding the nature of the weapon charge you are facing is crucial, as it will allow your attorney to better plan your defense. In Wellington, the most common weapon charges include:

• Unlawful possession of a firearm. This can arise when an individual is allegedly possessing a firearm and does not hold the necessary legal permits to do so.
• Possession of illegal weapons. Individuals are suspected of being in possession of weapons deemed illegal by state law. These can include explosives and certain kinds of automatic guns.
• Carrying a concealed weapon. This charge can apply if you have been caught carrying a concealed weapon without the permit that allows you to do so.
• Using a weapon during a crime. In cases where a weapon is allegedly used while another crime is being committed, such as in cases of armed robbery, the charges and resulting consequences you face can be significantly increased.
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In Florida, convicted felons cannot possess or own a firearm. If a convicted felon is caught in knowing possession of such a weapon, further criminal charges can be pressed, and harsh penalties can result. In fact, 97.6% of felon-in-possession offenders are sentenced to prison.
• Firearm discharge. This charge can arise when an individual allegedly and knowingly fires a weapon into a public space. These spaces can include highways, residential areas, public buildings, or roadways. You can face further charges if the discharge of the weapon caused property damage, serious bodily injury, or death. The United States sees an average of 50,000 firearm deaths every year.
• Aggravated assault. In most cases, a gun is considered a dangerous weapon. When an assault occurs with a gun or the intent to kill, this can be considered aggravated assault if the weapon is fired. You could still be charged with aggravated assault, even if the gun is simply used to threaten another person.

Weapon offenses are serious, and you need to hire a defense attorney as soon as possible. The longer you let charges go without legal representation, the more difficult it can be to defend you. Evidence that might have supported your side of the story can quickly degrade. Also, without legal counsel, you are more apt to inadvertently say something to law enforcement that can be used against you in the future.

Julian M. Kessel can make sure that doesn’t happen in your case.

Common Defenses in Weapons Charge Cases

Depending on the nature of your weapon charges, one or several legal defense strategies might work right for you. For almost all weapon charges, the following defenses could be used:

• Unlawful search and seizure. One of the most commonly used defenses against weapon charges is proving that the weapon was only found due to an illegal or unlawful search by law enforcement. If the police violated any of your constitutional rights, then the alleged evidence they’ve collected can be thrown out.
• Entrapment. This defense might work if you can prove that law enforcement induced you to commit a crime that you would never have otherwise committed. In cases where an individual can prove entrapment, charges can likely be dropped.
• Self-defense. If you were in possession of the gun or used the gun in an act of self-defense, this can be a strong defense. However, to successfully claim this defense, you need to prove that you truly believed that you were in imminent danger. You must also show that your response was reasonable, given the size of the threat.
• Lack of knowledge. This defense can work if you can demonstrate that you were not aware of the weapon’s presence. For example, this could be a situation where you borrowed a friend’s car and were not aware that there was a firearm present in the glovebox.
• Mistaken identity. In certain situations, you may be suffering a mistaken identity, and you were mistaken for the person who was actually in possession of the weapon in question. Your attorney could prove mistaken identity in this situation, which can lead to the charges being dropped.

Julian M. Kessel can look over the facts of your case and determine which legal strategy works correctly for your needs. Trust him to fight hard against any weapon charges you might be facing.

Hire a Weapons Charges Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been arrested on weapons charges in Wellington, you need to hire a weapons charges lawyer as soon as possible. A conviction for weapon charges in Florida can threaten your life, loved ones, and livelihood, which is why you need to place your trust in someone willing to do all they can to defend you and your rights. Julian M. Kessel is that legal champion. Contact The Law Offices of Julian M. Kessel today to schedule an initial consultation.