Miami Criminal Defense Attorney

At Piotrowski Law, we know how frightening it is to be charged with a crime, and we believe no one should face the legal system alone. If you are under investigation or have been arrested, it is critical to seek legal help as soon as possible. An experienced Miami criminal defense attorney can help you navigate the courts, protect your constitutional rights, and work toward the best possible outcome in your case.

Whether you are dealing with a misdemeanor charge or a serious felony, our attorneys will advocate for you from beginning to end. With law offices in three locations throughout South Florida, you can be assured that our team has your back. Contact our Miami law office today at (305) 204-5000 to set up your free strategy session with one of our experienced attorneys.

Our team handles a wide variety of criminal defense cases, including:

Aggravated identity theft
Bank fraud
Civil asset forfeiture
Conspiracy
Domestic violence
Drug trafficking
DUI
Expungement
Felony crimes
Firearms crimes
Juvenile crimes
Money laundering
Police brutality
Possession of weapons and firearms
PPP loan fraud
Probation violation
State criminal defense
Traffic offenses

State Criminal Defense Attorney in Miami, FL

Many people charged with a crime have no prior criminal history. Their arrest is often the result of a one-time mistake. A decision to get behind the wheel after a few drinks or an intense argument that escalates into a fight can result in serious criminal charges in Miami. Unfortunately, a simple lapse in judgment can negatively affect your freedom, your reputation, and your future.

Individuals facing repeat criminal charges face even more severe consequences, including lengthy prison sentences. Whether you have been charged with a first-time or repeat offense, you need to be as prepared as possible when it comes time to defend your rights in court. That is why it is important to seek the assistance of an experienced criminal lawyer in Miami, FL, right away to avoid serious criminal penalties.

Rights of Defendants in Florida

According to the United States Constitution, a person who is facing criminal charges, regardless of the nature or seriousness of the alleged crime, has the right to defend themselves to the fullest extent.

Your rights as a defendant in Florida include:

The right to legal representation
The right to remain silent in the presence of police officers (to avoid self-incrimination)
The right to a fair trial
The right to a jury trial
The right to produce evidence to defend yourself against the charges you are facing

Perhaps the most important right you enjoy as a defendant in Florida is the right to legal representation. With a dedicated defense attorney in Miami by your side, you can significantly improve your chances of:

Having the charges against you dismissed
Getting acquitted
Receiving the lowest sentence possible

We firmly believe that every person, regardless of their background, criminal record, or the charges they are facing, deserves the chance to defend themselves. Our founder, Chad Piotrowski, is not only a leading defense lawyer but also a former prosecutor who knows how the Florida criminal justice system works. He will fight tirelessly to protect your rights, make sure you get a fair trial, and do everything in his capacity to have the charges against you dismissed or reduced.

Consequences of a Misdemeanor or Felony Conviction in Florida

Getting convicted of a crime in Florida can have long-term consequences. A felony conviction, in particular, can be life-altering. Aside from paying a hefty fine and serving time in prison, a felony conviction can curtail your civil rights to a great extent.

For example, as a convicted felon, you will not be able to vote, possess firearms, serve on a jury, or hold public office. In some counties, you might not be able to apply for or renew professional licenses, particularly those related to real estate and insurance.

Apart from this, as any criminal defense lawyer in Miami can tell you, the social stigma associated with a felony conviction can damage your personal, social, and professional life and make it incredibly hard to move forward.

How a Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help You

Depending on the charges against you and various other factors, your attorney might use one or more of the following strategies to defend you:

You were defending yourself
You have an alibi to prove that you were not at the scene of the crime or did not commit the crime
You were entrapped and induced by a government official to commit the crime
You were not aware of the nature or presence of the substances you were caught with (in drug possession cases)
The evidence against you was obtained in an unlawful manner

If your lawyer believes it might not be possible to have your charges dismissed or to get you acquitted, they might negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges as far as possible. For instance, a third-degree felony might be reduced to a first-degree misdemeanor, especially if you are a first-time offender.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle

DUI Defense: Charged with driving under the influence? As your DUI lawyer in Miami, we challenge traffic stops, breath tests, and field sobriety results to protect your license, record, and freedom.
Drug Crimes: From simple possession to trafficking, a skilled drug crime attorney can question searches, seizures, and lab evidence to pursue reduced charges, diversion programs, or complete dismissal.
Domestic Violence: Accusations can lead to arrests, injunctions, and lasting consequences. A domestic violence lawyer from our team works quickly to protect your rights, reputation, and family relationships.
Assault: Assault charges often arise from misunderstandings or self-defense situations. An experienced assault lawyer examines witness statements and evidence to build a strong, fact-based defense strategy for you.
Battery: Battery convictions carry jail time, probation, and a permanent criminal record. We investigate the circumstances, challenge the prosecution’s version of events, and fight for dismissals, reductions, or acquittals.
Theft Crimes: Whether you face petit theft or grand theft charges, a theft crime lawyer in Miami can dispute intent, valuation, and identification issues to protect your record and your future.
Burglary: Burglary allegations involve serious felony exposure. We scrutinize entry evidence, intent claims, and identification procedures to weaken the prosecution’s case and pursue the best available outcome for you.
Robbery: Robbery charges combine theft with force and carry severe penalties. Our attorneys challenge witness identifications, surveillance footage, and coerced statements to defend your freedom at every stage.
Weapons Charges: Firearm and weapons offenses can trigger mandatory minimum sentences. We examine how the weapon was discovered and whether your constitutional rights were violated during the stop or search.
White Collar Crimes: Fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering cases demand meticulous preparation. A white collar crime attorney analyzes complex financial records to challenge the government’s evidence and protect your career.
Juvenile Crimes: Young people deserve second chances. We work within the juvenile justice system to pursue diversion, sealed records, and outcomes that protect your child’s education and long-term opportunities.
Federal Crimes: Facing federal charges requires experience in federal court. Our federal criminal defense in Miami covers conspiracy, drug trafficking, bank fraud, and other offenses prosecuted by the United States government.

Serving Miami and Surrounding Miami-Dade Communities

Piotrowski Law represents clients throughout Downtown Miami and the neighborhoods that surround it. Our office on East Flagler Street sits in the heart of the city, just minutes from the criminal courthouse, which makes it easy for clients across Miami-Dade County to reach us quickly after an arrest.

We regularly defend clients from Brickell, Omni, Edgewater, Wynwood, and Midtown Miami, as well as Overtown, Allapattah, the Health District, and the Miami River area. If you live or work in Little Havana, East Little Havana, Shenandoah, or along Coral Way, our team is only a short drive away. We also serve residents of the Design District, the Upper Eastside, and northern Coconut Grove.

Criminal charges can arise anywhere, whether it is a DUI stop on Biscayne Boulevard, a domestic dispute in a Brickell high-rise, or a theft accusation at a Wynwood business. Wherever your case begins, the same courts, prosecutors, and procedures apply, and our attorneys know them well. If you need a Miami criminal defense attorney who understands the local courts and the communities they serve, our team is ready to review your case.

Former Prosecutor with an Inside Advantage

When choosing a defense lawyer, it is important to find someone who understands both sides of the courtroom. Prior to becoming a Miami criminal defense attorney, Chad Piotrowski served as a prosecutor in Miami-Dade County. This invaluable experience handling all aspects of misdemeanor and felony cases gives him the ability to anticipate the prosecution’s strategies and build a solid defense to obtain the best possible outcome for his clients.

As a criminal justice attorney in Miami, Chad Piotrowski aggressively protects the legal rights and freedom of his clients using proven and creative defense strategies. He is highly skilled in handling every aspect of the legal process and has the trial experience needed to fight effectively in County Court, Circuit Court, and Federal Court.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you are in trouble with the law in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, or anywhere in the State of Florida, you deserve a solid legal defense. An in-depth understanding of the highly sensitive nature of the legal system allows our team to handle your case with the utmost discretion and professionalism.

To schedule an appointment to discuss your criminal charges, please visit our contact page or call us at 305-204-5000.

Our Miami law office is located 7 minutes away from Bayfront Park and only 23 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA).

169 E Flagler St #1600
Miami, FL 33131

Our team empathizes with your circumstances and will fiercely advocate on your behalf. It is vital to choose someone with experience and who knows what they are doing. At Piotrowski Law, our team has both. Our lawyers have years of experience in criminal law and know how to build a vigorous defense for you. Call today to schedule your strategy session and get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I am arrested in Miami?

Stay calm, remain silent, and ask for an attorney immediately. Do not answer questions or sign anything. Contact our office as soon as possible so we can protect your rights.

Should I talk to police without a lawyer?

No. Anything you say can be used against you, even innocent explanations. Politely decline to answer questions and request an attorney before making any statement to law enforcement.

Can my charges be dismissed?

Possibly. Charges may be dismissed when evidence was obtained illegally, witnesses are unreliable, or the prosecution cannot prove its case. We review every detail to identify grounds for dismissal.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

Misdemeanors carry up to one year in county jail, while felonies carry state prison time, larger fines, and the loss of civil rights such as voting and firearm ownership.

Can a DUI be reduced?

Yes, in many cases. Depending on the evidence, a DUI may be reduced to reckless driving, which carries lighter penalties and causes less damage to your record and insurance.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost?

Fees depend on the complexity of your case, the charges involved, and whether the matter goes to trial. We explain our fees clearly during your free initial consultation.

What happens during a consultation?

We listen to your side, review the charges and evidence, explain the legal process, and outline possible defense strategies. Everything you share with us remains completely confidential.

Do you handle federal criminal cases?

Yes. Our attorneys defend clients in federal court against charges such as conspiracy, drug trafficking, bank fraud, money laundering, and PPP loan fraud throughout all of South Florida.

Do you handle domestic violence cases?

Yes. As an experienced domestic violence criminal lawyer in Miami, Chad Piotrowski defends clients against battery, stalking, and injunction matters while working to protect families, careers, and reputations.

Do you represent clients throughout Miami-Dade County?

Yes. We represent clients across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, including Downtown Miami, Brickell, Little Havana, Wynwood, Coconut Grove, and many other nearby communities.

How quickly should I hire an attorney?

Immediately. Early involvement lets your attorney preserve evidence, speak with prosecutors before charges are filed, and sometimes prevent formal charges altogether. Waiting can seriously limit your defense options.