In Manatee County, Sarasota criminal defense attorney Erika Valcarcel recently aided a 20-year-old man when the foolish decision to accompany others led to felony armed home invasion charges and possible life in prison. Evidently, the three individuals broke into a home, which belonged to one of the participant’s acquaintances. During the incident, the homeowner was unfortunately injured and a gun was taken, which escalated the charge because under Florida Law if a person becomes armed during the commission of an intrusion, the crime and as a result the consequences are heightened. The man was quickly arrested and when he learned about his dire situation, he reached out to Erika Valcarcel, Criminal Defense Lawyer, P.A..
Attorney Valcarcel reviewed the evidence and through an extensive deposition process, it became evident that the alleged victim knew one of the suspects involved and significant problems with his credibility began to arise. Attorney Valcarcel utilized this information to aggressively negotiate for the best possible result. By showing that her client was primarily accompanying the others, she ultimately achieved a reduced plea agreement for a misdemeanor offense. This included a sentence for time served, no additional jail or probation, and left her client in a much better position to move on after such a regrettable situation.
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"Erika Valcarcel, Criminal Defense Lawyer, P.A. is the best you will find. Erika Valcarcel is completely honest and straightforward. She took a huge burden off my shoulders many times during difficult periods of my life knowing that she was doing everything that that could and should be done. Her knowledge is extensive and her advice has always been right on the mark. She is worth every penny of the fee she charges. You cannot go wrong securing her services."
Joni A. | Sarasota County
Domestic Violence Charges Dismissed in 10 Days
When a client was arrested for battery after an altercation with his girlfriend, he immediately contacted attorney Erika Valcarcel. The client was adamant that the entire situation was a misunderstanding, but nevertheless he was looking at a domestic violence conviction and potentially up to a year in jail. We acted fast on his behalf and discussed the situation with the State attorney’s office. We informed the prosecutor that our client's girlfriend did not want to proceed and highlighted the weaknesses in their case. Once they were aware of these developments, we successfully arranged to have the charges dismissed. This was all before our client's first court date and impressively all done within 10 days of the initial arrest.
