Criminal Defense

State governments have the power to establish criminal laws that make certain conduct illegal and punishable. Florida’s criminal laws are found in Chapters 775-896 of the Florida Statutes. It is the state of Florida itself that prosecutes violations of criminal law.

The criminal process can be very overwhelming, particularly those being charged with a crime for the first time. Understanding a few of the basics can help you know what to expect and understand what to look for when choosing a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney.

Crimes in Florida are typically broken into a few different categories: felonies, misdemeanors, and “noncriminal violations.” Felonies are those crimes punishable by death or more than one year in prison. Misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year. Both are broken into degrees based on the seriousness of the offense, first degree being the most serious. Very minor, petty offenses punishable only by fines are typically referred to as violations or infractions. Most speeding tickets fall into this category. If a juvenile under the age of 18 is charged with a crime, special rules and procedures apply that differ from those applied in the adult system.

Mr. Lowry’s primary focus of his practice is Fort Lauderdale criminal defense, in both state and federal courts. Ranging from crimes (see below) starting with DUI and other misdemeanors through all felonies in state court, to conspiracy and homicide in federal court, Mr. Lowry has the experience as both a former prosecutor and experienced defense attorney to properly litigate your criminal matter.

Should the case need a jury trial, Mr. Lowry has over 100 jury trials in his career, and is therefore more than adequately experienced to professionally litigate any case. His level of comfort in front of a jury is highly regarded by his peers and judges alike.

There are many crimes with which an individual can be charged. Regardless of the crime, however, Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney Mark S. Lowry is prepared to help ensure you receive a fair outcome. Attorney Lowry regularly assists clients who have been charged with:

• Burglary & Trespass
• Drug Crimes
• Homicide
• Prostitution
• Theft & Robbery
• Assault & Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Kidnapping
• Resisting With/Without Violence
• Sex Crimes
• Violation Of Probation
• DUI

The punishments for committing a crime range from fines to imprisonment. However, the impact of being convicted of a crime often extends far beyond just the punishment ordered. A criminal conviction can make it very challenging to get a job and some convictions can result in more serious punishment if you are charged with a crime again in the future. Florida’s three strikes law is one of the more well-known examples of this cumulative impact. Unless you speak with a Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney, you may not be aware of all of the consequences of your case.

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Fort Lauderdale or another part of south Florida, Mark S. Lowry can represent you in the defense of your case. Reach out to the office for a consultation and to learn how Attorney Lowry can help.

Having a criminal conviction on your record can affect you for the rest of your life. Conviction can result in fines, community service, and even prison time. In addition, the acts will be reflected on your criminal record, and it can prevent you from obtaining employment, housing, scholarships, education, and licenses. If you are convicted of a felony, you may be prohibited from ever legally carrying a firearm or voting. It can also negatively affect any child custody hearings and issues in family court.

The office of Mark S. Lowry, Esq. understands that there are many different ways to resolve your criminal case. As a former prosecutor with over 10 years of legal practice in prosecution and defense, Mr. Lowry knows how to get the best possible outcome for your case.

Mr. Lowry will make sure that any statements that you made to the police were not coerced and check to see if any evidence against you was illegally obtained. The office’s private investigation also conducts an independent investigation of the case to see if there were any other witnesses or evidence that can help you corroborate your claims of innocence.

He also understands that there are other viable options for resolving your case. Florida provides for pretrial diversion, pretrial intervention, and drug court programs to help citizens avoid criminal prosecution. Mr. Lowry can also handle any plea negotiations with the prosecution to ensure that you get the best deal possible from the state.

However, Mark S. Lowry is also not afraid to take your case to trial. With experience in over 65 trials, Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney Mr. Lowry knows how to zealously advocate for his clients in court. He will fight your criminal charges in front of a judge and jury to preserve your rights in the legal system.

Navigating through the legal system is often a complex and confusing process, but you do not need to go through it alone. Mark S. Lowry, Esq. is here to provide you with quality legal advice and a strong criminal defense. If you or a loved one is in need of a criminal defense attorney in the Fort Lauderdale area, call or contact the office today for a private review of your case free of charge.