Pinellas County Criminal Law Firm
Being charged with a Misdemeanor or Felony is one of the most stressful and frightening situations anyone can face. Depending upon the outcome, your life can be changed forever, especially if you are left with a criminal record.
This is not a time to go it alone. To ensure the best legal strategies are employed on your behalf, it is advantageous to have an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney by your side. Attorney John D. Andreopoulos is a former State Prosecutor from the Pinellas / Pasco Office of the State Attorney and has the knowledge and experience in dealing with cases like yours.
As a well-respected Pinellas and Pasco County Criminal Defense Law fFrm, Kantaras & Andreopoulos has experience dealing with a range of Criminal laws and offenses, including:
- DUI, Driving While License Suspended, Leaving the Scene of Accident
- Burglary, Grand Theft, Dealing in Stolen Property , and Retail Theft
- Aggravated Battery and Misdemeanor Battery including Domestic Violence
- Drug Possession, Sale, or Trafficking
- Records Sealing and Expungement
These offenses can be very serious and may carry stiff penalties including the possibility of jail.
Criminal Defense in Clearwater and throughout Pinellas and Pasco Counties
As a Former State Prosecutor in the Pinellas/ Pasco Office of the State Attorney, attorney John D. Andreopoulos has handled both Misdemeanor and Felony prosecutions from the investigative stage through Jury Trial. His experience as a Former State Prosector has enabled him to become familiar with the practices, procedures, and strategies of the Prosecution, In turn , this experience affords Mr. Andreopoulos the ability to advise you of the strengths or weaknesses of the case being brought against you by the prosecution. In a FREE Initial Consultation, he will provide you with an accurate and straightforward evaluation of your case. Mr. Andreopoulos will advise you of the possible penalties you may be facing, the possibility of a dismissal of the charges against you, the chance of reducing the charge(s) against you, or the likelihood of suppressing the evidence against you.
Immediate Communication with the Prosecutor – Just because you where arrested does not mean that you will be prosecuted. The Prosecutor has discretion to file a lesser charge or file nothing at all. Often times, an experienced Attorney is able to contact the Prosecutor prior to a filing decision being made and present the prosecutor with your side of the story, names of witnesses, and/or other evidence which support your position. Therefore, time is of the essence in every criminal case and hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney early may be critical to the outcome of the case.
We move fast and make immediate contact with the Prosecution to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. As an experienced Criminal Law Attorney practicing in Clearwater, Largo and throughout Pinellas and Pasco Counties, Mr. John D. Andreopoulos will advise you the possible outcome of your case which may include the following:
- Diversion programs: You may be eligible for a Pre-Trial Diversion Program. These programs postpone prosecution while you complete counseling and/or community service. Upon successful completion of the program, the criminal charges are dismissed by the Judge.
- Plea bargain: This negotiation between your Attorney, the Prosecutor, and the Judge outlines the final disposition or outcome of your case. A Plea Bargain may be structured to help you:
- Plea bargain: This negotiation between your attorney, the prosecutor, and the judge outlines the final disposition or outcome of your case. A plea bargain can be structured to help you:
- Avoid a formal Conviction of Guilt on your record
- Provide an outcome that does not affect your employment
- Extend time to pay court-ordered financial obligations
- Withholding of Adjudication: While this negotiated final outcome between your Attorney, the Prosecutor, and the Judge may result in a sentence and/or probation, it prevents a formal conviction from appearing on your record. With limited exceptions, it allows you to answer “No” when asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime.
- Pleas in Absentia: If you live out of state or travel frequently in your job, by filing this plea, we may be able to resolve your case without the need for a trial or even your appearance in court.
- Sealing your Criminal Record: In certain circumstances, all records of an arrest and ensuing criminal case proceedings can be sealed from the public or potential employers. In most cases, this allows you to truthfully state that you were never arrested or charged with a criminal offense.
For more information about criminal law, please read the following:
