Criminal Defense Attorneys in Hollywood, FL

An arrest in Hollywood is prosecuted through Broward County, and early legal guidance can protect your record. A Florida-licensed criminal defense attorney serving Hollywood will review your charges free of charge.

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How we match your Hollywood criminal defense case

When you submit a Hollywood criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Florida law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Florida who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Criminal Defense cases in Hollywood

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Hollywood sees the enforcement mix of a beach city: DUI and traffic stops along I-95, US-1, and A1A, disturbance and alcohol-related arrests near the Broadwalk and downtown nightlife around Young Circle, plus theft, drug, and domestic-violence cases citywide. Felony charges are prosecuted in Broward County Circuit Court, with misdemeanors in county court, and both move quickly through early hearings. Federal charges can arise from port, airport, or fraud investigations. DearLegal matches you with a Florida-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Hollywood, with a free review.

Hollywood arrests are prosecuted in Broward County courts, with felonies in circuit court and misdemeanors in county court.
Beach, nightlife, and highway corridors generate a high volume of DUI, traffic, and disturbance cases.
Some cases from the nearby seaport and airport or multi-state investigations are charged in federal court instead of state court.

Florida criminal defense rules at a glance

Hollywood cases run under Florida law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Florida page.

Read the full Florida criminal defense guide →

Felony Statute of Limitations: No limit
No limit for capital, life, or first-degree felonies punishable by life; 4 years for first-degree felonies; 3 years for other felonies (Fla. Stat. § 775.15)
Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations: 2 years
2 years for first-degree misdemeanors; 1 year for second-degree (Fla. Stat. § 775.15)
Sentencing Structure: Criminal Punishment
Criminal Punishment Code (Fla. Stat. § 921.0024) scoresheet system; 10-20-Life firearm mandatory minimums (§ 775.087); Habitual Offender (§ 775.084) and PRR (§ 775.082(9)) enhancements
Expungement / Record Sealing: Fla. Stat. § 943.0585
Fla. Stat. § 943.0585 (expungement of non-convictions); § 943.059 (sealing of records); narrow eligibility, one-time use, many exclusions; juvenile expunction under § 943.0515
Bail / Pretrial Release: Bail
Bail under Fla. R. Crim. P. 3.131 and Fla. Stat. § 903; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (Fla. Const. Art. I, § 14); Arthur hearings for capital and life felony cases
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Hollywood criminal defense attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Florida · Criminal Defense

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Criminal Defense matters in Florida are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Criminal defense attorneys in Florida work on hourly or flat-fee retainers — contingency fees are prohibited in criminal cases under Fla. R. Prof. Conduct 4-1.5(f)(3)(A) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Misdemeanors and most felonies are flat-fee; complex cases (homicide, federal healthcare fraud, multi-count) use hourly billing with substantial retainers. Florida’s 20 elected Public Defender offices represent indigent defendants.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Hollywood criminal defense questions, answered

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It depends on the charge. Felonies filed by Broward prosecutors are handled in the county's circuit court, while misdemeanors and most traffic offenses go to county court. Certain matters, including some port, airport, or interstate investigations, are charged federally. An attorney can tell you which court and judge your case is headed to.

You are not required to answer questions, and statements made early are frequently the strongest evidence against a defendant later. You can say clearly that you want a lawyer and then stop talking. Getting an attorney involved before any interview protects you and preserves options for challenging the stop, search, or arrest.

Sometimes. Florida has sealing and expunction procedures, and eligibility turns on the charge, how the case was resolved, and your prior history, so not every outcome qualifies. Diversion programs may also be available for some first-time cases. An attorney can tell you whether your specific disposition can be sealed or expunged.

No. Politely decline and ask for an attorney. Florida law enforcement — Miami-Dade PD, Broward Sheriff, Orlando PD, FHP, FDLE — use trained interrogation techniques. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Invoke your Fifth Amendment right to silence and your right to counsel under Miranda.

Yes. Florida first-degree misdemeanors carry up to 1 year in jail and $1,000 fines under Fla. Stat. § 775.082. Pretrial intervention (PTI) under Fla. Stat. § 948.08 can result in dismissal for first-time offenders, but enrollment requires prosecutor consent. Convictions trigger collateral consequences — license suspension, federal firearm bans for DV, immigration consequences.