Skip to Content
Top

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Merritt Island

Serious Criminal Charges Demand Serious Defense

Being arrested or learning you are under investigation in the Merritt Island area can change your life in an instant. You may be worried about jail, your job, and what your family will think, all while trying to understand what will happen in court. You need clear guidance and strong representation from a criminal defense attorney Merritt Island residents can trust with high-stakes cases.

At Funk, Szachacz & Diamond, we focus our practice on criminal defense trials and appellate litigation. Our attorneys are Board-Certified Criminal Trial lawyers, a distinction held by only a small number of attorneys in Florida. When your freedom and future are on the line, that level of training and courtroom experience can make a critical difference.

Call us at (321) 360-4446 to schedule a confidential consultation with our criminal defense attorneys in Merritt Island.

Why Choose Our Defense Team?

When you are deciding who should stand beside you in court, you are not just choosing any lawyer. You are choosing the people who will challenge the government’s evidence, argue to the judge, and, if needed, stand in front of a jury and tell your side of the story. Our firm is structured to handle serious criminal litigation.

Our attorneys are Board-Certified Criminal Trial lawyers. This certification is granted by The Florida Bar to attorneys who have met rigorous requirements in criminal trial practice, including substantial trial experience and peer review. It is one way to distinguish lawyers whose work is deeply rooted in criminal courtroom advocacy from those who handle criminal cases occasionally.

Our firm has been trusted with high-profile and landmark matters, including cases involving previously unprosecuted charges. These cases are often complex, closely watched, and legally challenging. Handling them requires careful analysis, steady judgment, and the ability to navigate unsettled areas of criminal law. This same skill set is vital in serious felony cases that may never make the news but carry life-changing consequences for our clients.

We take a collaborative approach to each case. Instead of a single attorney working alone, our team reviews the facts, researches legal issues, and discusses strategy together. Clients benefit from the combined trial and appellate experience of multiple seasoned criminal attorneys, which can help identify defenses, constitutional issues, and strategic options that might otherwise be missed.

How Our Criminal Lawyers Defend You

If you are under investigation or have been arrested, these immediate steps may help protect your position:

  • Do not discuss the incident with law enforcement or others without first speaking to counsel.
  • Preserve any documents, messages, or electronic records that may relate to the allegations.
  • Avoid posting about your situation on social media or communicating about it in ways that may later be used as evidence.

Throughout the case, we work to keep you informed about developments, upcoming hearings, and strategic choices. Our goal is to ensure you understand the range of possible outcomes and the reasons for each legal step, so you are not left guessing about what is happening or why.

Serious Charges We Commonly Handle

People come to us facing a wide range of serious accusations, from offenses involving violence to complex allegations of financial wrongdoing. Regardless of the specific charge, the common thread is that the case carries significant potential penalties and long-term impact. In these situations, you need a criminal lawyer Merritt Island defendants can trust to handle complex facts and intense scrutiny.

  • Some cases involve allegations of violent conduct, such as aggravated assault, robbery, or homicide. These charges can bring lengthy prison exposure and heightened attention from law enforcement and the prosecution. 
  • Others involve sex offenses, which often come with registration requirements and long-lasting effects on employment and personal life. We approach these matters with discretion, careful investigation, and a focus on protecting both your rights and your reputation.
  • We also handle serious drug and property crimes, including trafficking-level accusations and cases that involve search and seizure issues. 
  • In addition, many clients seek our help with white-collar or fraud-related allegations that may involve extensive documents, digital evidence, or professional licensing concerns. 
  • Our history of involvement in landmark cases and previously unprosecuted charges means we are accustomed to dealing with novel legal theories, substantial discovery, and cases that may attract media interest.

Whether your case is followed by the public or remains entirely private, we treat it with the same level of rigor. We examine the facts and law in detail and develop a strategy that reflects your goals and the realities of the evidence. Our focus is on building the strongest defense we can and guiding you carefully through each decision point.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can your team start on my case?

We can typically begin evaluating a new case soon after you contact us. The first step is to review any available documents and talk with you about what has happened. Acting early allows us to advise you on interactions with law enforcement and prepare for upcoming hearings in Brevard County court.

Have your attorneys handled high-profile criminal cases before?

Our attorneys have been involved in numerous high-profile and landmark criminal cases. Some have drawn media attention because of the seriousness of the charges or novel legal issues. That experience with complex, closely watched matters informs how we prepare and present serious cases for our clients.

Will you keep my situation confidential and discreet?

We treat every case with confidentiality and discretion. We understand the impact criminal allegations can have on family, employment, and reputation. Our attorneys handle communications carefully, discuss sensitive issues in private, and work to protect your privacy throughout the defense process.

Can your firm handle an appeal if I am already convicted?

Our firm handles both criminal trials and appellate litigation. If you have already been convicted or entered a plea, we can review the record to assess potential appellate issues. Whether an appeal is available or appropriate depends on the specific facts, deadlines, and legal questions in your case.

Confidential Consultation & Next Steps

If you are facing criminal allegations arising in or around Merritt Island, knowing what to do next can feel overwhelming. A confidential conversation with our team can help you understand where your case stands, what the likely next steps in Brevard County court may be, and how a criminal law attorney Merritt Island residents rely on for serious defense can begin protecting your interests.

Call us at (321) 360-4446 to schedule a confidential consultation with our criminal defense team in Merritt Island.

Our FAQ

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 321-360-4446 today!

  • Can I Keep This Off My Record?
    Florida law does provide for sealing and expunging criminal records, but there are exceptions. At Funk, Szachacz & Diamond, LLC, we can tell you if your situation qualifies.
  • Compensation

    Florida passed the Florida Crimes Compensation Act, which provides government financial compensation to eligible victims. To be eligible to receive compensation, a person must be a victim, or someone who intervened and aids another and suffers bodily injury or death as a result of trying to prevent a crime, lawfully apprehending a suspected criminal or helping a victim of crime, a surviving spouse, parent, child or other dependent.

    The amount of an award is based on the actual needs of the person requesting assistance. The maximum compensation award is $10,000, including all costs or losses. Emergency awards are also available. A claim for a financial award must be filed no later than one year after the crime occurred or after the death of the victim. However, if the Attorney General's Office determines there is good cause, the deadline may be extended to two years after the crime or death.

    A defendant can be held responsible to reimburse the State for the money it pays through the Crimes Compensation Fund.

  • Restitution
    Under Florida law, an offender may be required to make restitution in addition to any criminal sentence. Restitution for bodily injury, lost income and funeral expenses can be court ordered for the victim or the estate and next of kin of the victim if the victim died as a result of the criminal offense.

Contact Us Today

A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.
  • By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Funk, Szachacz & Diamond at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy