Each year, New York residents visit Florida for business matters, retirement, vacations, and escaping the harsh New York winters. Sometimes these visits to the State of Florida end with an arrest and criminal charges. At Musca Law, our law firm only focuses on defending people who have been arrested for a criminal offense. Our attorneys are experienced in representing out-of-state clients. Our legal professionals understand the nuances and complexities that are involved in criminal cases involving tourists and visitors from out-of-state. Our firm has the knowledge and experience to handle the criminal court proceedings as effectively as possible. Regardless of the level of the criminal charges, our firm has the experience to help you with your legal matter.

The Most Common Type of Criminal Charges Out-of-State Residents Often Face in Florida

The State of Florida, like New York, is full of fun activities, sporting events, concerts, amusement parks, fine dining, and beautiful parks. Florida is home to major Spring Break events, and the state is host to many of the largest clubs in the world. However, because people who visit Florida aren't very familiar with the areas they are visiting, many tourists find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also, many out-of-state drivers aren't familiar with the area find themselves being pulled over by law enforcement due to speeding, or suddenly making a lane change, or "touching the line" simply because the driver is trying to locate the correct exit.

Musca Law understands that bad things happen to good people, and our attorneys have represented out-of-state clients in a wide variety of criminal offenses. Our firm offers over 150 years of combined experience defending out-of-state residents. The following is a list of the most common charges out-of-state charges (amongst other criminal offenses):

  • Assault
  • Battery
  • Boating under the influence (BUI)
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Domestic violence
  • Driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Drug possession (Actual or constructive possession of marijuana, cocaine, prescription drugs, etc.)
  • Probation violation (Violation of probation with a prior crime committed while living in or visiting Florida)
  • Disorderly intoxication
  • Resisting arrest
  • Sex crimes
  • Solicitation (Solicitation of a prostitute or solicitation of a minor)
  • Theft (Shoplifting, petit theft or grand theft)
  • Traffic offenses (Speeding, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, etc.)
  • Trespassing

It is essential that you or your loved one does not ignore pending criminal charges in the State of Florida. Florida prosecutors will proceed and your criminal matter will not disappear once you or your loved one returns to New York. Our attorneys understand how to handle criminal cases on behalf of New York residents. We work to handle your legal matter in a way that has a little impact on your life or the life of your loved one. Our criminal defense attorneys understand our clients need timely results. Our legal professionals work to reduce the burdens on our clients so that our clients are able to focus on their work and home life.

Florida Arrest Warrants and Extradition to Florida From New York

There are several circumstances in which a tourist or visitor to Florida is not arrested at the scene of the crime by a Florida law enforcement officer. In many cases, an arrest warrant is issued by a Florida criminal court. Depending on the facts of the case, the warrant will contain criminal charges that are a misdemeanor, a felony, or both. Typically, the courts will issue either a misdemeanor warrant or a felony warrant.

  • Misdemeanor warrants – In the State of Florida, misdemeanors are punishable with up to a $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. The penalties that a defendant will face depends upon the level of a misdemeanor (first degree, second degree). Examples of crimes that a misdemeanor warrant could be issued include driving with a suspended license and petit theft.
  • Felony warrants – In Florida, felonies offenses are punishable by at least one year in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The punishments, if found guilty, will also depend on the level of felony (third degree, second degree, first degree). Felony warrants are usually issued in crimes such as grand theft, murder, and drug trafficking.

In most cases, the defendant from New York is aware of an outstanding warrant. However, there are many people who are shocked to learn that they are being placed under arrest for an outstanding warrant during a routine traffic stop weeks, months, or even years later. Whether the defendant is aware or unaware of an outstanding arrest warrant, the defendant will be placed in handcuffs and booked into jail.

Depending on the type of pending criminal charges and the criminal record of the defendant, the State of Florida could request extradition. Extradition is the act of transporting the accused (or convicted) from one legal jurisdiction to another to face criminal charges. Unfortunately, the types of legal matters take a lot of time to resolve. A persona awaiting extradition could sit in jail in New York for several months while extradition arrangements are authorized back in the State of Florida. The defendant is often financially responsible for the costs associated with their extradition.

Make the call to Musca Law to understand the legal options that may help you or your loved one avoid extradition back to Florida. An attorney at Musca Law may also be able to help you or your loved one speed up the process, so you or your loved one does have to wait a long time in jail during this process. In some cases, our firm co-counsel with a firm licensed in New York to assist you better.

Our firm defends clients charged in any criminal offense. In some cases, our attorneys can perform most of the defense work online and over the phone. In a lot of cases that are not felonies or extradition cases, our firm is able to help New York residents resolve an outstanding warrant or pending Florida charges without you or a loved one having to return to Florida for a trial or hearing. Our legal professionals will ask the court to excuse you from an in-person court appearance, as our lawyers may be able to appear upon your behalf.

Contact Musca Law Today for Your Florida Defense Needs!

If you are a New York resident facing Florida criminal charges, you can count on Musca Law to aggressively defend you or your loved one. Our firm collectively has over 150 years of criminal defense experience. Musca Law provides quality legal representation to our in-state and out-of-state clients. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-484-5057 for your free case review.

Get your case started by calling us at (888) 484-5057 today!

Ready for Your Free Case Evaluation?

Fill out the form below.

Required
Required
I consent to receiving a text message at this number with more information. Msg rates may apply.
Required
Required
Required
Required