An arrest for weapons charges in Pensacola can be a scary time in your life. You might feel like your life is spiraling out of control right now after your arrest. The concerns you have about how this charge could affect your life could overwhelm you.
We understand why you would feel overwhelmed. The best thing you can do is to find an experienced, dedicated, and skilled weapons offenses lawyer in Pensacola to fight for you. At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, our defense attorneys have the experience and knowledge you need to give you the best chance of being cleared of your charges.
Common Weapons Charges in Pensacola
Floridians believe in the Second Amendment. However, the right to keep and bear arms has limitations. State and federal laws outline who can legally have a firearm and also limits how and when you could use a firearm. The Pensacola weapons offense attorney with Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon represents clients charged with weapon-related offenses such as:
- Carrying a concealed weapon;
- Carrying a concealed firearm;
- Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon;
- Possession of or discharge of a destructive device; and
- Improperly displaying a weapon.
This list is only an example of the cases our weapons charges attorney from Pensacola has successfully handled. You should contact our firm for immediate help even if you don’t see your case type listed. We have been in business since 1913. The chances are high that we’ve handled a case similar to yours.
How Can a Weapons Charges Attorney from Pensacola Help You with Your Case?
Sometimes law-abiding citizens face criminal weapon charges because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. For example, if you’re in a car when the police find a gun, they might charge you with possession of that firearm even if you have no connection to the weapon whatsoever. While unfair, it happens. That’s where a skilled and experienced gun attorney in Pensacola can make a huge difference for you.
Defense Strategy for Weapons Offenses
You might have a couple of defenses that could help you get the charges dropped or beat the case altogether. Our firm often represents people who pick up weapons offenses after police find a gun inside of a car. In that case, your lawyer might file a motion to suppress and argue that the police violated your rights. The gun gets tossed from evidence if you win. Even if you lose, you may still be in a position to beat the case. The prosecution has to prove that you were in possession of the firearm. Possession has two types: actual possession or constructive possession.
Actual possession would be when someone is caught actually holding a gun or having it on their person. Constructive possession means that you knew the weapon was in your vicinity and that you had both the intent and ability to “exercise dominion and control over it.” Another way to say that is you could grab the gun if you wanted to.
What if there are other people in the car and the gun is under the driver’s seat while you’re in the front passenger seat? How can you get that? Could a reasonable person believe that you knew it was there and had both the intent and ability to get to it? Probably not, especially if there are no fingerprints or DNA on the weapon. In such a case, you might want to take the case to trial. This scenario is just one example of how a knowledgeable weapons offenses lawyer in Pensacola could help you out of a really bad situation.
Additional Defenses to Weapons Charges
At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we know that effective representation of our clients begins with a thorough understanding of their circumstances. The defenses available to you will depend on the specific facts of your case. For instance, suppose you were charged with improperly displaying a weapon. The police might think you had no reason to pull your firearm. But what if you were defending yourself or someone else and needed your gun for protection? What if you were just “standing your ground?”
Sometimes the best lawyer is a great negotiator. Experienced attorneys know when to fight and when to try to negotiate for the best outcome. It all comes down to the strength of the case against you. Going with a less-experienced lawyer might mean that you don’t have all the possible options available to you. However, a lawyer with vast experience knows how to deconstruct the prosecution’s case to find weaknesses.
Call a Pensacola Gun Attorney Today Before It’s Too Late
Since 1913, Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon have fought for the rights of people charged with crimes in the Pensacola area. We stake our reputation on our client’s satisfaction. We use all of our resources as well as our hard-earned reputation to help our clients.
Call Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon today to begin your defense with our weapons offenses attorney in Pensacola.
