Frequently Asked Questions
This page answers some of the most common questions people ask when they are facing criminal charges in Florida. Understanding how the criminal justice system works can help you make informed decisions and protect your rights. Attorney Jason Goldsmith, a former Broward County prosecutor, represents individuals accused of crimes throughout Florida. The answers below provide general information about Florida criminal law, the court process, and the rights of individuals who are under investigation or facing criminal charges.
What should I do if I am arrested in Florida?
If you are arrested in Florida, the most important thing you can do is remain calm and exercise your constitutional rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to request an attorney before answering questions from law enforcement. Many people unintentionally damage their case by trying to “explain” the situation to police officers. Even statements that seem harmless can later be used against you in court. After an arrest, you will typically be transported to jail, booked into the system, and scheduled for a first appearance hearing within 24 hours. At that hearing, the judge reviews probable cause and determines bond conditions. Speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney as early as possible can help protect your rights, evaluate the evidence, and begin developing a defense strategy before the case progresses further through the court system.
Do I need a lawyer if I plan to plead guilty?
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Florida?
Can criminal charges be dropped before trial?
What is probable cause in a criminal case?
What happens at a first appearance hearing in Florida?
What is bail or bond?
Can police search my car or home without a warrant?
What is a plea deal?
What happens if my case goes to trial?
How long does a criminal case take in Florida?
What is a diversion program?
Will a criminal conviction stay on my record forever?
What is the role of the prosecutor in a criminal case?
Can charges be reduced during a criminal case?
Do I have to testify in my criminal case?
What happens if I miss a court date?
What are my rights if I am questioned by police?s if I miss a court date?
Can a criminal defense attorney really make a difference in my case?
Why is it important to act quickly after being charged with a crime?
What should I do if I am arrested in Florida?
If you are arrested in Florida, the most important thing you can do is remain calm and exercise your constitutional rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to request an attorney before answering questions from law enforcement. Many people unintentionally damage their case by trying to “explain” the situation to police officers. Even statements that seem harmless can later be used against you in court. After an arrest, you will typically be transported to jail, booked into the system, and scheduled for a first appearance hearing within 24 hours. At that hearing, the judge reviews probable cause and determines bond conditions. Speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney as early as possible can help protect your rights, evaluate the evidence, and begin developing a defense strategy before the case progresses further through the court system.
Do I need a lawyer if I plan to plead guilty?
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Florida?
Can criminal charges be dropped before trial?
What is probable cause in a criminal case?
What happens at a first appearance hearing in Florida?
What is bail or bond?
Can police search my car or home without a warrant?
What is a plea deal?
What happens if my case goes to trial?
How long does a criminal case take in Florida?
What is a diversion program?
Will a criminal conviction stay on my record forever?
What is the role of the prosecutor in a criminal case?
Can charges be reduced during a criminal case?
Do I have to testify in my criminal case?
What happens if I miss a court date?
What are my rights if I am questioned by police?s if I miss a court date?
Can a criminal defense attorney really make a difference in my case?
Why is it important to act quickly after being charged with a crime?
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Disclaimer: Message(s) frequency will vary. Message(s) data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel. This website contains a lot of information that is intended to generally educate the public about certain issues. However, nothing on this website constitutes legal advice, and the information within should not be treated so. As relevant laws are always changing, the information on this website cannot be guaranteed to be current, correct, or all-encompassing.
NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. The use of the website does not create an attorney-client relationship. Until payment is made and there is an acceptance of the terms and conditions, there shall be no attorney-client relationship created. By way of this website, Ticket Shield, PLLC is not providing any legal advice. The content within this website is intended for informational purposes only. Visitors to this website should not act, or decline to act, based on any of the site’s content. Ticket Shield, PLLC may not be held liable for the use of information contained within www.ticketshield.com, or otherwise presented or retrieved through this website. Ticket Shield, PLLC disclaims all liability for any actions users of this site take or do not take, based on this site's content.
This disclaimer governs the use of our website; by using our website, the user accepts this disclaimer in full, and agrees that any input of personal information may be utilized by Ticket Shield, PLLC to contact, engage, etc. for purposes of ongoing or potential legal representation. Users who do not fully agree with every part of this disclaimer should not use this site. Ticket Shield, PLLC reserves the right to change the terms of this disclaimer at any time. Any user should check periodically for changes. By using this site after Ticket Shield, PLLC posts any changes, the user agrees to accept those changes, whether or not the user has reviewed them.
Ticket Shield, PLLC exclusively maintains a physical office in Broward County, FL. No reference of any other locality is meant to suggest that Ticket Shield, PLLC maintains an office, either physical or virtual, in that location. Please see the Contact Us page for further information. Any discussion of past results on this website is not indicative of future results. Results vary based on the individual facts and legal circumstances of each case. Results are never guaranteed. If you have any questions please speak to a member of the Ticket Shield team before pursuing representation.
© 2026 All Right Reserved
Disclaimer: Message(s) frequency will vary. Message(s) data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel. This website contains a lot of information that is intended to generally educate the public about certain issues. However, nothing on this website constitutes legal advice, and the information within should not be treated so. As relevant laws are always changing, the information on this website cannot be guaranteed to be current, correct, or all-encompassing.
NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. The use of the website does not create an attorney-client relationship. Until payment is made and there is an acceptance of the terms and conditions, there shall be no attorney-client relationship created. By way of this website, Ticket Shield, PLLC is not providing any legal advice. The content within this website is intended for informational purposes only. Visitors to this website should not act, or decline to act, based on any of the site’s content. Ticket Shield, PLLC may not be held liable for the use of information contained within www.ticketshield.com, or otherwise presented or retrieved through this website. Ticket Shield, PLLC disclaims all liability for any actions users of this site take or do not take, based on this site's content.
This disclaimer governs the use of our website; by using our website, the user accepts this disclaimer in full, and agrees that any input of personal information may be utilized by Ticket Shield, PLLC to contact, engage, etc. for purposes of ongoing or potential legal representation. Users who do not fully agree with every part of this disclaimer should not use this site. Ticket Shield, PLLC reserves the right to change the terms of this disclaimer at any time. Any user should check periodically for changes. By using this site after Ticket Shield, PLLC posts any changes, the user agrees to accept those changes, whether or not the user has reviewed them.
Ticket Shield, PLLC exclusively maintains a physical office in Broward County, FL. No reference of any other locality is meant to suggest that Ticket Shield, PLLC maintains an office, either physical or virtual, in that location. Please see the Contact Us page for further information. Any discussion of past results on this website is not indicative of future results. Results vary based on the individual facts and legal circumstances of each case. Results are never guaranteed. If you have any questions please speak to a member of the Ticket Shield team before pursuing representation.
© 2026 All Right Reserved
Disclaimer: Message(s) frequency will vary. Message(s) data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel. This website contains a lot of information that is intended to generally educate the public about certain issues. However, nothing on this website constitutes legal advice, and the information within should not be treated so. As relevant laws are always changing, the information on this website cannot be guaranteed to be current, correct, or all-encompassing.
NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. The use of the website does not create an attorney-client relationship. Until payment is made and there is an acceptance of the terms and conditions, there shall be no attorney-client relationship created. By way of this website, Ticket Shield, PLLC is not providing any legal advice. The content within this website is intended for informational purposes only. Visitors to this website should not act, or decline to act, based on any of the site’s content. Ticket Shield, PLLC may not be held liable for the use of information contained within www.ticketshield.com, or otherwise presented or retrieved through this website. Ticket Shield, PLLC disclaims all liability for any actions users of this site take or do not take, based on this site's content.
This disclaimer governs the use of our website; by using our website, the user accepts this disclaimer in full, and agrees that any input of personal information may be utilized by Ticket Shield, PLLC to contact, engage, etc. for purposes of ongoing or potential legal representation. Users who do not fully agree with every part of this disclaimer should not use this site. Ticket Shield, PLLC reserves the right to change the terms of this disclaimer at any time. Any user should check periodically for changes. By using this site after Ticket Shield, PLLC posts any changes, the user agrees to accept those changes, whether or not the user has reviewed them.
Ticket Shield, PLLC exclusively maintains a physical office in Broward County, FL. No reference of any other locality is meant to suggest that Ticket Shield, PLLC maintains an office, either physical or virtual, in that location. Please see the Contact Us page for further information. Any discussion of past results on this website is not indicative of future results. Results vary based on the individual facts and legal circumstances of each case. Results are never guaranteed. If you have any questions please speak to a member of the Ticket Shield team before pursuing representation.