Palm City, Florida | Criminal defense

Palm City Criminal Defense Lawyer

Defend the new charge. Check what else it puts at risk.

Katz & Associates defends people in Palm City against felony and misdemeanor charges. We examine the accusation, the evidence and the choices ahead. If you are already on probation, we also help identify the issues the new case may raise in that earlier file.

Get clear on what needs attention first, which facts could help the defense and what work the firm could take on.

Call 772-933-5289 Ask for a defense review

Tell us first if someone is in custody

Mention any warrant, missed court date or reporting deadline when you call. Have the county and case number ready if you know them. You do not need to have every document before making contact.

For an urgent concern, call rather than wait for a form reply.

The current accusation

Review this charge on its own facts.

Whether this is your first case or one of several, the charge deserves its own review. Katz handles DUI, drug, theft, fraud, assault, battery and domestic allegations through its Florida criminal defense practice. Tell us which part of the accusation you dispute.

Who was there, and when?

A work log, travel record or full recording may test an identification or timeline. We look at the account against you and the facts that could support a different one. Keep original records and identify people who may have useful information.

What does the evidence actually show?

A short message or single transaction may leave out context. We review the surrounding records and the intent the state claims it can prove. A search, seizure or statement may also present a legal issue that needs a motion.

What would the next choice require?

We assess possible challenges, witness issues and the proof needed for trial. Any plea should be weighed against that work and its risks. If another case is open, the discussion also needs to cover what the proposed choice could mean there.

When an earlier case is still open

One event can lead to two different decisions.

A new charge and a probation allegation are separate matters. They can concern the same event. Counsel needs the charging papers, earlier order and claimed violation to review both.

The new criminal case

At trial, the state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A defense may challenge the account, the evidence or whether it proves each part of the charged offense.

The probation case

At a contested probation-violation hearing, the state must prove a willful and substantial violation by the greater weight of the evidence. That standard is lower than the criminal-trial standard. An arrest alone does not settle those questions.
If the state drops the new criminal charge, the related probation allegation does not automatically end. State v. Mitchum explains the distinction. Have counsel check the actual order in each case before treating either one as resolved.

Reviewing the alleged violation

Find the term, the claimed breach and the facts behind it.

A technical violation does not involve a new felony, misdemeanor or criminal traffic offense. That term comes from Florida’s probation law. It does not mean no jail. The possible response depends on the allegation, your history and the order you must follow.

Show what you completed

Keep appointment notices, class certificates, test results and reporting messages. If a date or missed visit is wrong in the report, preserve the record that shows the error. Explain any changed instructions as well as what you did in response.

Explain why a payment was missed

An unpaid balance is not the whole inquiry. In Del Valle v. State, the Florida Supreme Court required an ability-to-pay inquiry and a finding of willfulness before imprisonment for nonpayment. The state must present evidence of willfulness, including ability to pay. Bring receipts, income records and documented efforts to meet the obligation.

Keep following the terms still in effect. Ask counsel promptly about any duty to report an arrest and how to meet it while the new case is pending. Before admitting a violation or accepting a sanction, discuss the rights and consequences involved.

The Martin County paper trail

Put the right records beside the right case number.

Start with the Court Records option on the Martin County Clerk’s records page. It provides criminal dockets and available non-confidential documents. Look for the judgment, probation order and later changes. If a needed order is unavailable online, ask the Clerk how to request it. An older case in another county needs its own records.

Check what each payment covered

The Clerk’s criminal-case payment guidance sends misdemeanor court fees, fines and costs to the Clerk. For other misdemeanor probation terms, including supervision costs, the Clerk directs people to contact C.O.R.E. For felony probation terms, it directs people to the Department of Corrections. A receipt from one office does not show that every duty has been met.

A public docket search is a starting point. It is not confirmation that a warrant has been cleared or that an obligation has ended.

Custody and outstanding warrants

Check every reason for the hold before arranging bond.

Bond on a new charge may not resolve detention in an older probation case. Section 948.06 allows release in some circumstances and restricts it in others. Ask counsel to review the warrant, supervision status, history and each reason the person is being held. Do not assume that paying one bond will secure release.
Discuss a custody or warrant concern

Plan a lawful response to a warrant

A court appearance does not itself clear a warrant. Under Judge Metzger’s Martin felony procedures, in-court surrender is allowed only in extraordinary circumstances. It also needs prior court approval. Counsel should check the assigned court’s current rules before planning a surrender or asking for release on a pending warrant.

Choosing the firm and defining the work

Know who is handling each case.

Michael Katz founded Katz & Associates in 2005. The firm emphasizes clear explanations and practical advice based on your circumstances. For a Palm City defense matter, that starts with identifying the cases, evidence and decisions that need attention.

Ask which case numbers the representation would cover, who would handle them and how the legal fee applies. Tell us if another lawyer is already involved. The scope should be clear before you sign, especially when the older case is in a different county.

Explore the firm’s background and approach.
Michael Katz Esq

Michael Katz

Founder of Katz & Associates

Arranging the first discussion

Two practical questions before you call

Can a family member call if I am in custody?

Yes. A relative can contact the firm with the county, case number and known hearing date. The firm can explain how to arrange contact with the person in custody. A call alone does not mean the firm has agreed to take the case.

Should I send court orders through the contact form?

A short summary is enough for the form. Ask how to provide court orders, recordings or other private material when the firm contacts you. Keep the original files intact and avoid posting case details publicly.

Talk through what needs attention

Start with the charge.
Include the earlier case.

Call Katz & Associates about your Palm City defense concern. Say whether the issue involves a new charge, probation, a warrant or more than one of these. We can discuss the work your situation calls for and whether the firm can represent you.

Call Katz at 772-933-5289

For an in-person meeting, ask about the Stuart office at 770 SE Indian Street, Suite A-16, Stuart, FL 34997. Confirm the meeting arrangements with the firm.

Request a defense consultation

Tell us how to reach you, which case concerns you and the next date you know about.

If someone is in custody or a deadline is close, call 772-933-5289 rather than wait for a reply here.

This page provides general legal information. Your facts and court orders need individual review. Contact through this form alone does not mean the firm has agreed to represent you.