Fort Myers Gun Crime Lawyer

Gun Crime Attorney in Fort Myers, FL

If you’re facing gun crime charges, it can lead to severe prison sentences. While the Second Amendment protects your right to bear arms, Florida has enacted strict legislation to curb rising gun-related violence. These laws criminalize certain uses of firearms to protect public safety. Thankfully, you can hire a Fort Myers gun crime lawyer to advocate on your behalf and defend your rights against Florida’s aggressive prosecution of gun crimes. 

Hire a Gun Crime Lawyer 

If you’re facing firearm charges, the attorney you choose to protect your Second Amendment rights is a critical decision. I am attorney Justin P. Caldarone at The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. I provide my clients with a personalized defense tailored to their specific situation. At my firm, I look beyond the stigma of an arrest to see the honest person behind the case. 

The Fort Myers Police Department often makes mistakes. Whether you live and work in Fort Myers Beach or the River District, I pride myself on aggressively challenging unfounded charges to protect your gun rights. I don’t just “manage” files for my clients. Instead, I won’t rest until I have a “W” for your case. 

Let’s start building your case. I offer free consultations.   

Florida’s Gun Laws and Penalties

In the Sunshine State, possessing a firearm is legal with proper licensing. However, without proper documentation, it can lead to severe criminal penalties. 

Under our state’s aggressive 10-20-LIFE law, mandatory minimum sentences for gun and weapon crimes must be served consecutively to other criminal charges. This law requires strict prison terms:

• 10 years for a felony involving a firearm,
• 20 years if it is discharged, and
  25 years to life if someone is hurt or killed

Also, carrying a weapon during the commission of other crimes, like battery or burglary, can trigger significant sentencing enhancements. For additional information, call a knowledgeable lawyer. 

Florida Weapons Charges

At The Caldarone Law Group, P.A., I can help with many different kinds of weapons charges. Some of the charges I have helped clients with include, but are not limited to:

• Armed robbery and burglary
• Carrying a concealed weapon
• Gun trafficking
• Improper exhibition of a weapon
• Possession of a weapon on school grounds
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Unlawful discharge of a felon

If you’ve been arrested for a crime and need representation from an attorney, give my office a call. Let’s discuss how I can help build a solid defense.

Available Legal Defenses

One of the benefits of hiring a lawyer is that they can explore whether any legal defenses apply in your specific situation. In Florida, there are several legal defense strategies your Fort Myers attorney can use to have your gun charges reduced or dropped entirely. They may argue:

• Illegal search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment. If the police find a weapon without a valid warrant, consent, or probable cause, that evidence may be suppressed. 
• Lack of knowledge. If a weapon was found near you but wasn’t ‘on your person,’ you can argue you were unaware of its presence.
• Mistaken identity. You can argue you were mistakenly identified as the person in possession of the gun.
• Stand your ground. In our state, you are not required to retreat. You can use deadly force if you reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
• Defense of others. You can use force to protect someone else from an immediate threat of harm.
• Castle doctrine. If an intruder enters your home or vehicle, you can protect yourself since there’s a presumption of reasonable fear that you’re protecting your “castle.” 

A trusted lawyer can discuss whether any of these defenses apply in your situation. They can review your charges and the facts of your case to determine whether you have any defenses that can help with your defense. 

FAQs

Am I Required to Have a Lawyer for a Florida Gun Crime Case?

You’re not required to have a lawyer for a gun crime case in Florida, but many people feel that having a lawyer is beneficial. When you hire a lawyer, they improve your odds of having a successful case outcome and beating the charges you face. Give me a call to discuss how I can help. 

Are There Reasons to Have a Fort Myers Lawyer for a Gun Crime Matter?

There are several reasons to have a lawyer for a gun crime matter in Fort Myers. A lawyer offers reliable, objective legal advice that’s tailored to your specific charges. Plus, you have someone on your side when you’re up against the Fort Myers Police Department and the State’s prosecutors who are building a case against you. A lawyer protects your rights and negotiates on your behalf. 

What Qualities Are Important in a Gun Crimes Lawyer? 

If you’re ready to hire a gun crime lawyer, you should find an attorney who is passionate about representing your interests. They should have experience handling firearms cases, and they should be competent in their knowledge of state and federal law. They should be creative with their legal defenses. They should be compassionate when speaking with you but aggressive in the courtroom to protect your rights. 

Do Many People Face Gun Crime Charges?

Gun crimes should not be taken lightly, and across the country, many people face gun crime charges. If you’re convicted following an arrest, many offenses unfortunately involve mandatory minimum jail sentences. In the U.S., about 2 million people are currently incarcerated in our nation’s 98 federal and 1,566 state prisons. 

Yet, the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts reports 8.2 percent of defendants have cases dismissed before trial. To explore your pre-trial options, give me a call. 

Facing Gun Crime Charges? Call The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. Today

As a former prosecutor, I have “insider” knowledge that I use to help my clients with their defense cases. Use my experience and background to your advantage and pursue the most positive possible resolution for your state or federal charges. 

For each case, I review the legality of the police search. I understand Florida’s complex gun laws and provide each client with the strongest possible defense. 

Contact me right away to discuss your case.