Fort Lauderdale Gun Crime Lawyer

Fort Lauderdale Gun Crime Attorney

Florida takes gun crime very seriously. If you’re facing any kind of weapons charges, you should hire a Fort Lauderdale gun crime lawyer who can help you fight them right away. Working with a dedicated lawyer is the most effective way to improve your chances of a positive outcome in your case.

If you’re looking for a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer with the skill and experience required to defend you against gun charges, look no further than The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC. Our dedicated team of attorneys has years of collective experience with gun crime cases. In that time, we have successfully represented countless clients facing all varieties of weapons charges. You can trust us to help with your case, too.

Hire a Gun Crime Lawyer

In 2021, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives recovered 694 illegal guns in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, making it one of the top cities in the State for firearms recovery. This is noteworthy in Florida, where 3,253 gun deaths occurred in 2023, including 1,064 homicides.

You don’t need to be accused of homicide to hire a gun crime lawyer. For some Floridians, even possessing a firearm is enough to constitute a serious crime. Whether you’re facing a weapons trafficking charge or you used a gun in the commission of a felony crime and are facing a substantial mandatory minimum sentence as a result, a gun crime attorney can help. Your attorney can:

• Protect your rights
• Analyze the prosecution’s case
• Collect evidence and witness statements
• Help you understand the charges being brought against you
• Help you decide whether to take a plea deal if offered
• Provide you with courtroom representation should your case go to trial

If you want to improve your chances of walking away from your weapons charge, hiring a lawyer is the most effective way to do so.

Common Weapons Charges

It doesn’t matter what type of gun crime you’re facing. You deserve a lawyer who will provide an aggressive defense against the charges. They could include:

• Carrying a concealed firearm
• Improper exhibition of a firearm
• Illegal weapons sales or trafficking
• Shooting at, in, or into a building
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
• Possession of a firearm as a delinquent
• Aggravated assault with a firearm
• Armed robbery, burglary, kidnapping, or sexual battery
• Manslaughter and murder

As you can see, these crimes range significantly in severity. While improper exhibition of a firearm is a misdemeanor offense, some of these crimes reach the level of first-degree felonies.

Florida’s 10/20/Life Law

While the Sunshine State isn’t known for having the strictest gun control laws, Florida has some of the most severe laws in the country concerning gun crimes. The 10/20/Life law is one of them. This rule applies when firearms are used in the commission of crimes, enhancing the crimes to a higher felony degree, increasing punishments, and instituting mandatory minimum sentences. Under this law, you’ll face:

• At least ten years of incarceration if you were found in possession of a firearm during an eligible crime.
• At least 20 years of incarceration if you discharged a firearm during the commission of an eligible crime.
• 25 years to life if you seriously injure or kill anyone while discharging your firearm during the commission of an eligible crime.

Illegal Firearms in Florida

You don’t necessarily have to commit another crime or discharge a firearm to be charged with a gun crime. In some cases, possession of an illegal weapon is enough. Illegal guns in Florida include:

• Short-barreled rifles and shotguns
• Machine guns
• Any firearm with an altered serial number
• Armor-piercing or exploding bullets in a handgun
• Dragon’s breath shells loaded in a firearm
• Bump-fire stocks

Certain people are also banned from owning guns in Florida.

FAQs

How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in Florida?

How much a criminal defense lawyer costs in Florida varies on a case-by-case basis. Factors that influence the cost of hiring a lawyer can include the complexity of your case and the experience level of your legal team. Whether your case goes to trial can also play a role in determining cost, as can the need for expert witnesses and similar expenses.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Your Gun Rights Back in Florida?

The costs to get your gun rights back in Florida vary, but it can be quite expensive. You’ll need to pay for not just a lawyer but also eligibility checks, an application filing, and other court expenses. There may also be extra fees for complicated cases or multiple charges. The easiest way to get a clear idea of what to expect in terms of cost is to contact a Fort Lauderdale gun crime attorney.

How Much Time Can You Get for a Gun Charge in Florida?

How much time you can get for a gun charge in Florida varies depending on the charges in question. Some gun crimes are misdemeanors, while others are felonies. If you’re a felon caught with a gun, you could face up to 15 years in prison. Someone carrying concealed without a license could face up to five years.

What Is Prohibited From Gun Ownership in Florida?

Convicted felons and violent career criminals are prohibited from owning guns in Florida, as are those with domestic violence restraining orders or risk protection orders. People who have been committed to mental institutions or adjudicated mentally defective are also banned from owning firearms, as are minors under the age of 18. Minors can possess firearms when lawfully hunting in wildlife management areas like the Francis S. Taylor WMA.

Fort Lauderdale Gun Crime Lawyer

If you’re looking for a skilled Fort Lauderdale gun crime lawyer, The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC, can help. Our team of knowledgeable attorneys is intimately familiar with gun crime laws and cases. We have years of experience practicing criminal defense law and are known for our client-centric approach to litigation. We can assist you with every aspect of your gun crime case. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.