When a young man in his 20’s was recently charged with marijuana possession in Sarasota County, he was obviously worried and knew that the impact could be severe. Since this is considered a first-degree misdemeanor, if he was convicted he could face some time in jail and a $1,000 fine in addition to earning a mark on his criminal record and a one-year driver’s license suspension. While the young man did not want to experience any of these harsh penalties, it was particularly important to him to preserve his ability to drive.
This led him to Sarasota criminal defense lawyer Erika Valcarcel, who began working to protect her client’s interests. During discussions with the prosecution, it was apparent that the state wanted to pursue a conviction and probation. Not satisfied with the result, which would still require the loss of her client’s license, attorney Valcarcel persisted and fought for the best possible outcome, In the end, attorney Valcarcel negotiated for the young man to keep his license and simply pay a fine.
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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.
