Defending Your Future Starts Here
At Rossen Law Firm, we believe your life shouldn't be defined by a single mistake or wrongful accusation. Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming, but with the right legal defense, you can protect your rights and secure your future. Our experienced Sunrise criminal defense attorneys have successfully defended over 3,000 clients and fought aggressively in over 700 DUI cases, consistently achieving favorable outcomes.
From misdemeanors to serious felonies, we handle all types of criminal cases in Sunrise and across South Florida. Our proven results demonstrate our expertise and dedication to justice.
Types of Cases We Represent
Our skilled Sunrise criminal defense lawyers are experienced in handling various charges, including:
- Juvenile Offenses
- DUI and DUI Enhanced
- Drug Crimes
- Domestic Violence
- Sex Crimes
- Theft and Property Crimes
- Violent Crimes (Assault, Battery, Murder)
- White Collar Crimes
- Federal Criminal Defense
Why Choose Rossen Law Firm?
Choosing the right criminal defense lawyer in Sunrise can dramatically impact your case outcome. Here's why Rossen Law Firm stands out:
- Expertise & Experience: Over eight decades of combined experience, with former prosecutors and board-certified defense specialists on our team.
- Award-Winning Representation: Recognized nationally by Inc. 5000, Law Firm 500, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, and Super Lawyers.
- Personalized Attention: We treat every client with compassion, respect, and a relentless pursuit of justice.
- Strategic, Aggressive Defense: Leveraging deep insights into prosecution tactics, we build robust defenses tailored to each client's unique circumstances.
Every attorney on our staff knows the stress and uncertainty clients face when charged with a crime. That’s why we take our time and listen to what people say about the circumstances surrounding their case.
There’s no worse feeling than being labeled as a criminal. We know that, in many instances, good people make mistakes or bad decisions. In many others, people face unjust or illegal charges. Whatever your situation, you’ll receive all the support we can provide without any judgment. We’ll do everything possible to remove this cloud so you can move on with the rest of your life.
You can count on your Rossen Law Firm Sunset criminal defense lawyer to determine your case's most effective strategy. We’ll fight to help either reduce your penalties or dismiss your case.
Please don’t hesitate to visit our Sunrise office at 6190 NW 11th St., near Mt. Hermon Baptist Church and Plantation Middle School.
Sex Crimes
Sex crime accusations carry a significant stigma and can result in severe penalties if convicted. The consequences go beyond legal penalties – they can affect your personal and professional life for years. Your Rossen Law Firm Sunrise criminal defense lawyer understands the weight of these charges and can employ several strategies to protect you.
Challenging the Evidence
The prosecution in sex crime cases often relies heavily on the victim's testimony, physical evidence, and digital records. However, not all evidence holds up under scrutiny. A skilled defense lawyer will examine the evidence thoroughly to identify inconsistencies, gaps, or unlawful handling of evidence that might weaken the prosecution's case.
For example, DNA evidence may be contaminated or improperly tested, and prosecutors might take electronic communications out of context. By challenging the validity of the evidence, your lawyer can cast doubt on the prosecution's case.
Consent Defense
In some cases, the defense may center around the argument of consent. If evidence suggests that the alleged victim consented to the activity, your lawyer can use that evidence to counter the charges. This strategy often involves presenting evidence such as text messages, emails, or witness statements that show a consensual relationship. While this defense can be complex, it is a powerful tool when supported by credible evidence.
False Accusations
False accusations can arise from various situations, such as personal vendettas, custody battles, or misunderstandings. Your Sunrise criminal defense lawyer will work to expose any ulterior motives or inconsistencies in the accuser’s story. Gathering evidence that contradicts the accuser’s statements or proves an alibi can be key to establishing your innocence.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence charges are serious, and a conviction can lead to jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record. Beyond the legal penalties, being labeled as someone who commits domestic violence can affect your family relationships, employment, and reputation. Defending against these charges requires a strategic approach.
Self-Defense
One of the most common defenses in domestic violence cases is self-defense. If you can show you were trying to protect yourself from harm, you may be justified in your actions. Your Sunrise criminal defense lawyer will gather evidence to demonstrate that you weren’t the aggressor and that your actions were necessary to respond to a threat. Medical records, witness statements, or police reports can support your account of the incident.
Lack of Intent
Domestic violence laws often hinge on the intent behind the actions. This can be a valid defense if your actions were accidental or unintentional. For instance, if you were involved in a physical altercation and unintentionally caused harm, your lawyer can argue that you didn’t intend to hurt anyone. Demonstrating a lack of intent can reduce the severity of the charges or even lead to a dismissal.
False Allegations Due to Divorce or Custody Disputes
Unfortunately, false allegations of domestic violence can arise during contentious divorce or custody battles. Prosecutors often use these accusations as a tactic to gain leverage in court. Your defense attorney will investigate the circumstances surrounding the allegations, looking for inconsistencies in the accuser's story and evidence that they made the accusations with ulterior motives. Your lawyer might examine custody records, communication between the parties, or witness testimony to find those inconsistencies.
Theft
Theft charges, whether they involve shoplifting, embezzlement, or grand theft, can result in severe penalties, including jail time and hefty fines. The stigma of a theft conviction can also affect future employment opportunities. A Sunrise criminal defense lawyer can employ several strategies to fight these charges and protect your constitutional rights.
Lack of Intent to Steal
One of the most effective defenses against theft charges is proving there was no intent to steal. Theft requires a deliberate intention to deprive someone of their property. If you mistakenly took something or believed you had permission to take it, your lawyer can argue that you lacked the necessary intent to commit theft. Your attorney will seek evidence, such as communication with the property owner or proof that you intended to return the item.
Mistaken Identity
In cases where the theft occurred in a crowded place or there are multiple suspects, mistaken identity can be a viable defense. Eyewitness testimony can be unreliable, and a defense lawyer can challenge the identification process. Suppose the prosecution's case hinges on an eyewitness’ identification. In that case, your lawyer may present evidence that you were elsewhere during the theft or that the identification was flawed.
Entrapment
Entrapment might be a defense if law enforcement officers induced you to commit a theft you wouldn’t have otherwise committed. Your attorney will work to prove that the idea of committing the crime originated with the officers and that you were persuaded or coerced into committing the theft. A defense lawyer can examine the actions of law enforcement and argue they unfairly targeted you.
Drug Crimes
Drug charges, whether they involve possession, distribution, or manufacturing, carry severe penalties and can have long-lasting consequences. A Sunrise criminal defense lawyer can employ various strategies to challenge the charges and protect your rights.
Unlawful Search and Seizure
The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; any evidence obtained through an illegal search may be inadmissible in court. A defense attorney will scrutinize the circumstances of your arrest, examining whether law enforcement followed proper procedures. If the police searched without a warrant or probable cause, your lawyer might file a motion to suppress the evidence, which can lead to the dismissal of the charges.
Lack of Possession or Knowledge
In drug possession cases, the prosecution must show you had actual possession of the drugs and that you knew they were in your possession. If you were unaware of the presence of drugs or if the drugs belonged to someone else, your lawyer can argue that you didn’t have the necessary control or knowledge to be guilty of possession. This defense might involve presenting evidence that someone else had access to the location where police found the drugs or that you were unaware of their presence.
Entrapment
As with theft charges, entrapment can be a defense in drug cases if law enforcement induced you to commit a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise committed. If an undercover officer or informant persuaded you to buy or sell drugs, your lawyer can argue they entrapped you. To use this defense, your attorney must show that the idea originated with law enforcement and that you weren’t predisposed to commit the crime.
Property Crimes
Property crimes encompass a range of offenses, including vandalism, arson, and burglary. These charges can lead to severe penalties and can damage your reputation. However, a skilled lawyer can seek to avoid these punishments by employing the following defense strategies.
Lack of Intent
Many property crimes require the prosecution to prove that you intentionally damaged or took someone else’s property. If your actions were accidental or you believed you had permission to be on the property, your Rossen Law Firm Sunrise criminal defense lawyer can argue that there was no intent to commit a crime. For example, if you were on someone’s property but didn’t realize it was private, your lawyer might present evidence that you had no intent to trespass or commit burglary.
Mistaken Identity
As with theft charges, mistaken identity can be a defense in property crime cases. If someone mistakenly identified you as the perpetrator, your lawyer can challenge the reliability of the identification. Doing so might involve:
- Presenting an alibi.
- Questioning the credibility of eyewitnesses.
- Introducing evidence that someone else committed the crime.
Duress
In some cases, you may have committed a property crime under duress, meaning someone forced you to commit the crime under the threat of harm. If someone threatened you or your family, your lawyer can argue that you had no choice but to commit the crime to avoid greater harm. Your lawyer will try to show the threat was imminent and you had no reasonable opportunity to avoid committing the crime.
Robbery
Robbery is one of the most serious property crimes, as it involves taking property from another person using force or intimidation. A conviction for robbery can result in lengthy prison sentences and significant fines. An attorney can fight these charges by using the following defenses.
Lack of Force or Intimidation
One of the key elements of robbery is the use of force or intimidation to take property from another person. If the prosecution can’t prove that you used force or threatened the victim, your lawyer can argue that the crime was theft rather than robbery. This distinction is important because theft carries less severe penalties than robbery. Your lawyer might present evidence that the victim willingly handed over the property or that no threat was involved.
False Accusations
False accusations of robbery can arise in situations where the victim is mistaken about the identity of the perpetrator or where the accuser has ulterior motives. Your lawyer will investigate the circumstances surrounding the accusation, looking for inconsistencies in the victim's story or evidence they accused you to settle a personal score. Your Sunrise criminal defense lawyer will look for potential inconsistencies by interviewing witnesses, examining surveillance footage, or presenting an alibi.
Lack of Intent to Permanently Deprive
Robbery requires an intent to permanently deprive the victim of their property. If you took the property temporarily or intended to return it, your lawyer can argue that you lacked the necessary intent to commit robbery. This defense might involve presenting evidence that you borrowed the item or that you believed you had permission to take it.