Frequently Asked Questions

These words get used loosely in lawyer advertising, and the differences matter. A charge is "dropped" when the prosecutor decides not to pursue it at all. It is "dismissed" when a judge throws it out — often because of a legal or evidentiary problem. It is "reduced" when the original charge is exchanged for a lesser one, for example a DUI reduced to reckless driving. A reduction is often an excellent outcome, but it is not the same as the charge disappearing — and any firm that tells you their DUIs are all "dropped" when they were actually reduced is misleading you. We tell you exactly which one happened in your case, in writing, in plain language.

Often, no. In many criminal and traffic matters we can appear on your behalf, and by getting involved early — sometimes before charges are even filed — we can resolve cases so you never step foot in a courtroom. Disability hearings and some criminal matters do require your presence, and if yours does, we prepare you thoroughly for exactly what to expect.

Nothing. Consultations are free, with no obligation. For workers' compensation and social security disability cases you also pay no legal fees unless we win — and in workers' comp cases we make the insurance company pay our fees. For criminal defense, we work with financing companies that can cover 100% of your fees with flexible payment plans.

Often, yes. For the cases we charge a fee for — criminal defense, DUI, domestic violence, and traffic — our office works with financing providers including Affirm, and financing can cover your fees so you can get started now and pay over time. The part people get wrong is how to apply: the application has to come from our office. We send you a secure link by text or email after we talk and quote your fee, and you apply through that link. Calling Affirm's general customer service line directly will not get you there — their main line is not set up for legal-fee financing. Financing is subject to application and approval, and the decision is made by Affirm rather than by us.

Your driver's license suspension is handled by the Florida DMV separately from your criminal case, and you have only 10 days from the date of arrest to challenge that administrative suspension. Miss the window and the suspension stays on your driving record for 75 years. Call us within those 10 days and we can usually have you driving on a temporary license the same day we file.

No — and the piece most people miss is that a DUI touches two entirely separate records, kept by two entirely separate agencies. The DMV suspends; the court convicts. On the DMV side, the administrative suspension of your license goes on your driving record, where Florida keeps it for 75 years. On the court side, a DUI conviction goes on your criminal record permanently — Florida law does not allow a DUI conviction to be sealed or expunged. Insurance companies and employers can see it, and the State Attorney can use it to enhance any future DUI charge. That is why fighting the charge properly the first time matters so much.

No — in fact, denial is the norm, not the exception. The Social Security Administration denies 77% of initial applications. Many of our disability clients come to us after a denial, and favorable outcomes are still very achievable with the right medical evidence and preparation. There are strict appeal deadlines, though, so don't wait to get help.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history — you earned coverage by paying into Social Security, and it has no asset limits. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for people with little income and few assets, regardless of work history. Some people qualify for both. We can tell you which applies to you in a free consultation.

Report the injury to your boss or supervisor immediately — Florida law gives you only 30 days to report a workplace injury, and missing that window can get your claim denied. Then call us. We don't charge you legal fees for workers' comp representation; the insurance company pays them.

It is a violation of Florida law for an employer to fire you for reporting a work-related injury or hiring an attorney. Many injured workers stay silent out of exactly this fear. Having an attorney involved makes every party follow the law — or be held accountable.

Yes, and it is a real person — not a voicemail box and not a generic call center. After hours our calls are answered by a live team that works only with law firms, so they know what to ask. They take your information, route the call based on what kind of case you have, and pass urgent matters straight to the attorney. If it is not urgent, you get a call back during office hours, Monday through Friday.

Go read them — really. We don't pay to remove reviews, we don't hide negative ones, and we never tell clients what to write. If you find a firm with hundreds of five-star reviews and not a single critical one, ask yourself how. Ours are real, from real clients, and we respond to them personally.