Criminal Defense

Serious Representation for Serious Charges

Have you been arrested and charged with a crime? Don't hesitate to contact me at the Law Offices of Richard Tendler. I have been fighting for the rights of the accused for 15 years, and I am ready to take immediate action on your case. I know what a stressful-even overwhelming-experience this may be for you, and want to help you find your way back out of the criminal justice system with a minimum of damage to your career and reputation. There are many proven strategies for fighting criminal charges, but the key to success is to hire legal representation without delay. Read below to learn more about the various types of cases my firm represents:

Animal Cruelty
If you have been accused of animal cruelty, it is vital that you take action now to avoid the serious consequences of a conviction. This crime not only carries harsh criminal penalties, but also a major social stigma due to the nature of the charges.

Appeals
Even if you are convicted, you may not have to undergo the penalties of your sentence. If it can be demonstrated that you were wrongfully convicted based on faulty evidence or mistakes on the part of the judge or jury, it may be possible to have the conviction overturned by filing an appeal.

Child Abuse & Neglect
Don't let allegations of child abuse tear your family apart. Even if you have not yet been convicted on the charges, you could lose your children to a removal action by the Florida Department of Children & Families. By taking action now you may be able to prevent this outcome and keep your children at home.

Juvenile Delinquency
Has your child been arrested and accused of some form of juvenile delinquency? If you fail to take action now, the consequences of this situation could have a devastating effect on your child's future. With my help, it may be possible to resolve the charges with a minimum of impact on your child's academic and professional prospects.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Whether you have been arrested for BUI or if you have multiple DUI convictions on your criminal record, I am ready to fight to clear your name of the charges. There are many ways to fight DUI charges, from arguing that the traffic stop violated the suspect's Constitutional rights, to challenging the validity of the breath or blood test results.

Drug Crimes
Florida is a major site for drug crimes, given its location on the narcotics trafficking channels into the United States. I represent people accused of possession of drugs / narcotics, possession of marijuana, manufacturing and trafficking, and I work diligently to help my clients avoid a conviction.

Federal Crimes
Many people who are arrested for arson, kidnapping and other crimes will be charged by a federal law enforcement agency and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Federal prosecutors have enormous resources at their disposal, and they work doggedly to convict people in your position.

Firearms Offenses
State law carries harsh penalties for anyone convicted of a firearms offense, and if you have been arrested on charges such as carrying a concealed firearm without a permit or felon in possession of a firearm, you could be facing years in state prison.

Injunction Hearings
If you have been served with a temporary restraining order, you may be able to have the order dismissed by attending the injunction hearing and presenting evidence that the order is unnecessary or unjustified. Don't let the order subject you to unnecessary restrictions in your daily life!

Perjury
You can be charged with perjury for making a false statement under oath, and the penalties you would face if convicted can follow you for years. Perjury is either charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the crime.

Prison Release Re-Offender Cases
If you have been arrested within the three years immediately following your release from prison, you are at risk of being subjected to severe penalties under the Florida Prison Release Re-Offender statute, under which a conviction for the new crime would be punished by the maximum sentence under law.

Record Sealings / Expungements
Life can be difficult with a criminal record. You have to disclose the fact if asked during a job interview or on a rental application, and you may experience a social stigma based on your criminal background. Fortunately, you may have a chance to have your record sealed or expunged, giving you a fresh start.

Sex Crimes
A sex crime conviction carries special penalties in addition to imprisonment, fines and probation. Many crimes such as prostitution or child pornography are punishable by mandatory registration as a sex offender, meaning that your photograph and personal information would be included in a public database on the internet.

Stalking
If you are convicted of a misdemeanor stalking offense, you can be sent to county jail for up to a year, whereas if you are charged with aggravated stalking you can face up to five years in state prison for a conviction. There are many issues involved in proving stalking charges, and I know where to look for weaknesses in the case against you.

Traffic Offenses
The consequences of a traffic ticket for speeding or a similar offense extend beyond the fine: you can also expect to see your insurance rates skyrocket, and could even face a license suspension. More serious traffic violations such as hit & run and driving while license suspended may even be charged as crimes.

Theft Crimes
My firm represents people who have been charged with theft crimes ranging from shoplifting to burglary, grand theft / petit theft, carjacking and robbery, and I am ready to fight aggressively to clear your name. Whether you have been falsely accused or if you committed the crime, I want to help you defend your future.

Violation of Probation
As early as possible after you have been accused of violating the terms of your probation, take action to resolve the situation by hiring an attorney to intervene on your behalf. It may even be possible to secure an early termination or modification of probation.

Violent Crimes
I can help you fight any type of violent crime charge, from assault and battery to domestic battery or even murder / homicide. It may be possible to clear your name by demonstrating that you were acting in self-defense or that you have been falsely accused of the offense.

White Collar Crimes
Many white collar crimes such as fraud and forgery and racketeering / RICO carry penalties that are every bit as harsh as those for drug crimes and violent offenders. A white collar crime conviction can lead to steep fines and time in jail or prison, and can even ruin your prospects for future employment.

Consequences of a Criminal Conviction

It would be difficult to exaggerate the consequences you face in the event of a conviction. You could be forced to pay steep fines and sent to jail or prison for a lengthy sentence, as well as being placed on probation for an extended period. To make matters worse, you would face a future of living with a criminal record, meaning that every time you walk into a job interview you would have to disclose the fact of your conviction if asked. Being convicted of a crime can have a devastating effect on your future, but you don't have to let this happen to you. By hiring an attorney early in the case, you may be able to secure a favorable plea bargain or perhaps even a dismissal of the charges or a full acquittal. Take action now by contacting my office for a confidential consultation.