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Ocala Criminal Defense Attorneys

Strategic Defense Built for Florida Courts

James Tarquin and his team have more than 30 years of experience in criminal law and have handled virtually every type of criminal case, from petit theft to first-degree murder. James was a former prosecutor right here in the Fifth Judicial Circuit and has been in private practice since 1994. He has vast trial experience, including serving as lead counsel in more than 100 jury trials to verdict. That trial experience includes jury trials at every trial level in Florida: State County Court, State Circuit Court, and Federal District Court.

Initial strategy: Challenge the legality of the arrest and search

The United States Constitution was drafted to protect all of our rights. These rights are in full force today. The Amendments most commonly triggered in a criminal case are the 4th (Prohibition against warrantless and unreasonable searches and seizures), 5th (cannot be compelled to be a witness, the “right to remain silent”), and 6th (due process and the right to counsel of your choosing) Amendments, and are contained in what is considered the Bill of Rights. These rights are binding on the states through the 14th Amendment and are reiterated in Article I, Sections 9 and 12. Our very first assessment is whether there is a viable motion to suppress. This simply means that we analyze what law enforcement did, and if there was a failure to comply with your rights, the evidence against you may not be used.

Comprehensive representation across all criminal charges

Here are a couple of examples:

Drug Trafficking cases often require harsh, minimum mandatory prison. These include Conspiracy to traffic in large quantities of controlled substances regulated by Chapter 893 of the Florida Statutes. James Tarquin has successfully prevailed in motions to suppress and obtained very favorable verdicts, including not guilty verdicts in these types of cases.

DUI arrest: Did you know that you have a right to a ‘formal review’ hearing, which provides an early opportunity to challenge the evidence, particularly the breath test results or whether a refusal was even legally obtained? There is a very specific time period to request a formal review hearing, or that right is lost. Our results include not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and reduced charges.

We have many more examples in which charges have been dismissed when the case has been set for trial or when a motion to suppress is pending.

Our trial experience, combined with success in suppression motions, gives you leverage as well as placing you in a position for the most favorable outcome under your individual circumstances.

RESULTS

We will gladly provide you with a list of the results this firm has obtained, which include:

Charges NOT FILED
Charges DISMISSED
NOT GUILTY VERDICTS

OUR PROMISE TO YOU

1. I personally review your case, which often includes hours of BodyCam footage. If the search, traffic stop, or arrest violated your rights, we will file the appropriate motion to suppress.

2. Honesty: Often times someone will tell me “attorney ______ “ guaranteed me that he/she will get the case dismissed. I believe that is not an accurate statement. The GUARANTEE that I give you is we will explore every component of your case. If there is a basis to either suppress illegally obtained evidence or a dismissal, we will pursue it vigorously.

3. We truly care about the results and you as an individual. I enjoy what I do. I would rather not be any place other than right here. Right now. Practicing in a job that I am passionate about.