Palm Beach Gardens Criminal Defense
For people charged in Palm Beach Gardens who need a clear view of how the case actually moves through Palm Beach County court.
Resources & Legal Guides
Criminal Defense Blog
Answers to the questions people ask before calling a criminal defense attorney in Palm Beach County. Written by Vanessa Arrieta, former Florida prosecutor.
Local Defense Guides
Palm Beach County Defense Pages
Palm Beach Gardens Domestic Violence
Focused defense for Palm Beach Gardens domestic violence arrests, including no-contact orders, home restrictions, and first appearance strategy.
West Palm Beach VOP Lawyer
Focused guidance for violation of probation hearings, probation hold situations, and fast-moving West Palm courthouse deadlines.
West Palm Beach Domestic Violence
Courthouse-focused domestic violence defense for West Palm Beach charges involving bond conditions, no-contact orders, and early case positioning.
Jupiter Warrant Lawyer
Bench warrants, capiases, surrender planning, and what to do before a Jupiter-area warrant turns into an arrest.
Palm Beach County Bench Warrant Lawyer
Help with capias warrants, missed court dates, recall motions, and planning before a Palm Beach County warrant leads to arrest.
First Appearance Lawyer
Bond, release conditions, probable cause review, and what matters in the first 24 hours after an arrest in Palm Beach County.
No-Contact Order Lawyer
Practical help with no-contact orders, home restrictions, modification requests, and related domestic violence release issues.
Bond Hearing Lawyer
Guidance for bond amounts, release conditions, GPS, no-contact orders, and bond reduction hearings in Palm Beach County.
DUI Defense
DUI in Florida
Florida DUI Arrest: What Is the 10-Day Rule?
After a DUI arrest in Florida, you have 10 days to protect your driver's license. Learn what the 10-day rule means, what it requires, and why missing the deadline is costly.
Read More →Is Your License Suspended Immediately After a DUI in Florida?
After a DUI arrest in Florida, your license can be suspended immediately — and you have 10 days to do something about it. Here's exactly how it works.
Read More →Can a DUI Be Dropped in Florida?
DUI charges in Florida can be reduced or dismissed — but it depends on the evidence. Here's what gives a defense attorney room to work.
Read More →Best Case Scenario for a First DUI in Florida
The best outcome for a first DUI in Florida ranges from dismissal to a reduced reckless driving charge. Here's what's realistically possible — and what it takes to get there.
Read More →Can I Get My First DUI Dropped in Florida?
First-time DUI charges in Florida can sometimes be reduced or dismissed. Here's what gives a defense attorney room to work — and what makes a case harder to fight.
Read More →Should You Fight a DUI or Take the Plea in Florida?
Accepting the first plea offer in a Florida DUI case is rarely your best option. Here's how to think through whether to fight your case or take a deal.
Read More →What Happens If You Plead Guilty to a DUI in Florida?
Pleading guilty to a DUI in Florida means a permanent conviction that cannot be expunged. Here's exactly what that plea means for your record, license, and life.
Read More →What's the Most Common Penalty for a First DUI in Florida?
A first DUI in Florida carries fines, probation, license suspension, and possible jail time. Here's what Florida law actually requires — and what a lawyer can change.
Read More →Do People Usually Go to Jail for a DUI in Florida?
Florida law allows jail for DUI, but most first-time offenders don't serve time. Here's what actually happens and what determines whether jail is on the table.
Read More →What Happens in Jail After a DUI Arrest in Florida?
After a DUI arrest in Florida, you'll be held until sober and brought to first appearance within 24 hours. Here's what to expect from arrest to release.
Read More →Maximum License Suspension for a First DUI in Florida
A first DUI in Florida carries a mandatory minimum license suspension — and the maximum depends on your BAC and whether you refused testing. Here's what the law actually says.
Read More →How Much Does a DUI Cost in Florida?
The total cost of a DUI in Florida goes well beyond the fine. Add up the real numbers — fines, fees, insurance, and legal costs — and it's rarely under $10,000.
Read More →Will a DUI Show Up on a Background Check After 10 Years?
In Florida, a DUI conviction stays on your criminal record permanently. It won't disappear after 10 years — and it cannot be sealed or expunged. Here's what that means.
Read More →How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record in Florida?
A Florida DUI conviction is effectively permanent on your criminal record and remains on your driving record for 75 years. Here is why that matters before you plead.
Read More →Why Is DUI Usually Charged as a Misdemeanor in Florida?
Most first and second DUI charges in Florida are misdemeanors — but don't let that fool you. The penalties are serious and the conviction is permanent.
Read More →How Many Drinks Does It Take to Reach a .08 BAC?
There's no reliable formula for counting drinks to stay under .08. Here's what actually affects your BAC — and why "just a few drinks" is not a legal defense.
Read More →What Is the New DUI Law in Florida?
Florida DUI law has seen notable changes in recent years. Here's what's current under Florida Statute 316.193 — and what it means if you were recently arrested.
Read More →Domestic Violence Defense
Domestic Violence in Florida
Can a Domestic Violence Charge Be Dropped in Florida?
The alleged victim doesn't control whether domestic violence charges are dropped in Florida. Here's how prosecutions actually work and what affects the outcome.
Read More →Can the Victim Drop Domestic Violence Charges in Florida?
In Florida, the victim does not control whether domestic violence charges are dropped — the State Attorney does. Here is what victim recantation actually does and does not do.
Read More →Can Battery Charges Be Dropped in Florida?
Sometimes yes, but not just because the other person changes course. Here is what actually makes a Florida battery case dismissible or reducible.
Read More →First Domestic Violence Offense in Florida: What to Expect
Arrested for domestic violence in Florida for the first time? Here is what happens from mandatory arrest through first appearance, no-contact order, and realistic outcomes.
Read More →Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence in Florida: What to Do
False domestic violence accusations happen, especially in contentious divorces and custody disputes. Here is why the defense must move fast and what evidence actually matters.
Read More →What Is a No-Contact Order After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Florida?
A no-contact order is imposed at first appearance in Florida domestic violence cases. Here is what it prohibits, what happens if you violate it, and how to get it modified.
Read More →Is Domestic Violence a Misdemeanor or Felony in Florida?
Domestic battery in Florida is usually a misdemeanor — but several factors elevate it to a felony. Learn about strangulation charges, aggravated battery, and prior conviction effects.
Read More →Criminal Defense & Procedure
Arrests, Courts & Records
What Happens When You're Arrested in Florida?
From the moment of arrest through booking, first appearance, and bond — what your rights are, what to say, and what never to do in those first critical hours.
Read More →Florida's Stand Your Ground Law: Immunity, Not Just a Defense
Stand Your Ground can end a case before trial. Learn how Florida immunity hearings work and what prosecutors must prove to overcome self-defense.
Read More →What Happens at First Appearance in Palm Beach County?
First appearance in Palm Beach County happens within 24 hours of arrest. What the judge decides, what can be at stake, and why having legal counsel early matters.
Read More →What Happens If You Miss a Court Date in Florida?
A missed court date triggers a bench warrant, bond forfeiture, and a potential new criminal charge. Here's what happens next and why acting immediately is the only right move.
Read More →Violation of Probation in Florida: Will I Go to Prison?
A VOP doesn't automatically mean prison, but the stakes are real. Here's how VOP hearings work in Florida, what rights you have, and what a defense attorney can actually do to help.
Read More →Possession vs. Trafficking in Florida: What's the Difference?
Florida trafficking is defined by quantity, not intent to sell. If you had enough of a controlled substance, you can face trafficking charges even if it was entirely for personal use.
Read More →Can You Expunge or Seal a Criminal Record in Florida?
Florida allows sealing and expungement in limited situations, and you only get one chance in your lifetime. Here's who qualifies, what the process looks like, and what changes afterward.
Read More →Violation of Probation in Florida — Complete Guide
The full VOP process: what triggers a violation, the hearing, bond rules, what the judge can do, and how a defense attorney changes what's possible before you walk into that courtroom.
Read More →Florida DUI Guide — From Arrest to Case Resolution
Everything you need to know about a Florida DUI case: the 10-day rule, first appearance, discovery, plea negotiation, penalties by charge level, and life after a conviction.
Read More →What Happens After an Arrest in Florida — Complete Guide
From booking to first appearance to arraignment: your rights, how bond works, when the state attorney files charges, and what you must do (and not do) in the first 24 hours.
Read More →Warrants
Active Warrants in Palm Beach County
How to Handle an Active Warrant in Palm Beach County
A warrant won't go away on its own, but how you address it matters. Here's what your options are, how to check your status, and why the right move is to act on your terms, not theirs.
Read More →Get Legal Help Now
Charged with a Crime in Jupiter or Palm Beach County?
The sooner you have legal counsel involved, the more options you have. Arrieta Law handles criminal defense cases across Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, and the surrounding area. Every case is handled personally by Vanessa Arrieta, a former prosecutor who knows exactly how these cases are built and how to fight back.
Call or text now for a confidential consultation. Available for urgent matters.
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