Felony Defense in Melbourne

Facing a Felony Charge? Put Three Board-Certified Trial Lawyers on Your Case

A felony investigation, arrest, or indictment can threaten your liberty, career, housing, professional license, finances, and family responsibilities. We defend people facing these high-stakes accusations in Melbourne and throughout Brevard County.

Our initial assessment examines the charging document, probable cause, searches and seizures, statements, witnesses, release conditions, and available digital or physical evidence. The right strategy depends on the alleged offense, your prior record, the strength of the evidence, and whether the prosecution is in Florida state or federal court.

Call (321) 360-4446 to discuss your felony case with our criminal defense attorneys.

Three Board-Certified Lawyers Review Every Case

Every attorney at Funk, Szachacz & Diamond is board certified in criminal trial law by the Florida Bar, a distinction held by less than one percent of Florida attorneys. Certification requires substantial trial experience, legal knowledge, professionalism, favorable peer review, and periodic reevaluation.

All three partners review and strategize on every file. This collaborative model brings multiple perspectives to evidence, motions, negotiations, trial preparation, and sentencing advocacy. Members of our firm have also served as Assistant State Attorneys and Felony Division Chiefs.

State & Federal Felony Defense

Florida felony prosecutions and federal criminal cases involve different laws, agencies, procedures, and sentencing frameworks. We handle complex litigation in both systems, including jury trials, post-conviction relief, and appeals when those proceedings become necessary.

Our lawyers are admitted in all Florida state courts, several United States District Courts, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. They’ve served as lead counsel in thousands of cases and hundreds of jury trials.

Serious Felony Charges We Defend

Our Melbourne felony lawyers represent clients in serious, evidence-intensive prosecutions. We’ve also defended judges, doctors, law enforcement officers, and other professionals whose circumstances demand discretion and sophisticated advocacy.

Our felony litigation experience includes:

Homicide, attempted murder, and other violent-crime allegations
Drug trafficking and controlled-substance offenses
Sex-crime investigations and prosecutions
White-collar fraud and complex financial allegations
Federal crimes, including NASA-related prosecutions and multi-state fraud cases
Capital cases involving potential death penalty exposure

A Record of Complex Trials and Candid Counsel

Our attorneys have litigated never-before-prosecuted charges, capital offenses, and prosecutions involving hundreds of federal fraud counts. Past results include dismissals, acquittals, resolutions without incarceration, and a new trial. Those outcomes don’t predict future results, which depend on the facts, evidence, applicable law, and court decisions.

We approach every representation with transparency, honesty, and respect for the legal process. Clients receive a candid assessment of the evidence and available options, not promises about dismissal, acquittal, sentencing, or any other outcome.

Florida Felony Classifications and Potential Penalties

Florida classifies felonies as capital felonies, life felonies, and first-, second-, and third-degree felonies. The classification shapes the range of possible consequences, but actual exposure depends on the offense statute, criminal history, sentencing rules, and findings in the individual prosecution.

Consequences may include incarceration, fines, probation, and restrictions affecting civil rights or professional licensing. Qualifying allegations involving a weapon, aggravated conduct, or other statutory factors can raise an offense to a higher degree or trigger additional sentencing provisions.

How Evidence Shapes a Felony Defense Strategy

Allegations may involve homicide, manslaughter, robbery, burglary, theft, fraud, controlled substances, weapons, sexual offenses, or other violent crimes. Each category presents distinct investigative and evidentiary questions.

Witness-driven prosecutions may require close examination of identification procedures, prior statements, credibility, and physical evidence. Financial and digital investigations can involve extensive records, device data, communications, and forensic analysis. Drug and weapons charges may raise probable cause or search-and-seizure issues.

Depending on the circumstances, a defense may include independent investigation, negotiations, suppression motions, trial preparation, or sentencing advocacy. Some cases later require appellate review or post-conviction proceedings.

What to Expect in Brevard County Felony Court

Brevard County felony matters are heard within Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, which serves Brevard and Seminole Counties. Current circuit administrative materials identify the Moore Justice Center as the location of Brevard County’s circuit felony criminal divisions.

A state prosecution can include a first appearance, release determination, arraignment, discovery, motions, status hearings, plea discussions, trial, and sentencing. At arraignment, the accused is formally called upon to enter a plea. Through discovery, the parties exchange evidence and other case information.

The order and timing of these stages depend on custody status, the charging document, assigned division, pending motions, discovery disputes, and other developments. Not every prosecution passes through each stage or reaches a jury trial.

Get a Three-Lawyer Assessment of Your Felony Case

If you’re under investigation or facing charges, seek individualized legal advice before discussing the facts with investigators or third parties. Continue following any release conditions and court orders that apply to you.

We offer a free initial consultation to people seeking a felony attorney in Melbourne or elsewhere in Brevard County. Our three partners can assess the accusation, identify immediate legal and procedural concerns, and explain the next stage of the process.

Call (321) 360-4446 to speak with Funk, Szachacz & Diamond about your defense.

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Our Case Results

From murder charges to alleged fraud, our case successes speak for themselves. Our clients themselves testify to the premium care that our firm holds as a standard for all of our cases.

No Incarceration “Pizza Hut” Homicide
Dismissed 10 Counts of Lewd and Lascivious Acts upon a Child and 2 Counts of Felony Interference with Custody.
Dismissed 13 Count Indictment
Dismissed 15 County Fraud Throughout Florida
Acquitted 166-Counts of Fraud Involving Space Vehicle Parts

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Why Choose Us? Every Case Gets the Same Attention

Exceptional Track Record

Our team has an undeniable track record of success.
Ethical Criminal Representation

We do not cut corners. Every case is handled with the utmost integrity and complete honesty.
Experienced Professionals

All of our attorneys are Certified by the Florida Bar, making them an all certified criminal defense team.