Union County Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been arrested or are under criminal investigation in Union County, Florida, Landsman Law provides experienced criminal defense representation for clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in Lake Butler, Raiford, Worthington Springs, and surrounding communities.

Attorney Matt Landsman is a Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer with more than 20 years of criminal defense experience. He has handled thousands of criminal cases ranging from misdemeanor charges to serious felony prosecutions, jury trials, suppression hearings, probation violations, and appeals.

Landsman Law is based in Gainesville and represents clients throughout North Central Florida, including Union County.

Criminal Cases in Union County, Florida

Union County criminal cases may begin with an investigation, traffic stop, arrest, search warrant, domestic disturbance, or other encounter with law enforcement.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office provides countywide law-enforcement services, and criminal court proceedings are centered in Lake Butler, the county seat.

Union County is part of Florida’s Eighth Judicial Circuit, along with Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, and Levy Counties. Landsman Law regularly focuses its North Central Florida practice within this region.

Although Union County is geographically small, the potential consequences of a criminal prosecution are no less significant. A misdemeanor or felony conviction can affect a person’s liberty, employment, driver’s license, firearm rights, professional opportunities, and reputation.

Criminal Charges We Defend

Landsman Law represents clients in Union County facing allegations involving:

• DUI
• Drug possession and trafficking
• Domestic violence
• Assault and battery
• Theft and fraud
• Burglary
• Weapons and firearm offenses
• Violent crimes
• Sex offenses
• Violations of probation
• Juvenile charges
• Misdemeanor offenses
• Felony offenses
• Criminal investigations
• Appeals

Every criminal case is different. Effective representation begins with examining the actual evidence, the applicable law, and the circumstances under which the evidence was obtained.

Arrests and First Appearance in Union County

After an arrest, a defendant may be held pending first appearance or released depending upon the offense, bond status, and circumstances of the case.

First appearance is only an early stage of the criminal process. An arresting officer’s allegation does not determine guilt, and prosecutors must still decide whether and how to formally pursue the case.

Defense counsel can begin evaluating the prosecution before trial by examining police reports, recordings, witness statements, photographs, physical evidence, scientific testing, search warrants, and other discovery.

Depending on the case, the defense may also challenge the legality of the arrest or seek suppression of unlawfully obtained evidence.

DUI Defense in Union County

A Union County DUI prosecution may begin with a traffic stop, crash investigation, checkpoint, or encounter in which an officer believes a driver is impaired.

Potential defenses depend upon the evidence and can involve the legality of the traffic stop, whether the officer had sufficient evidence to require field sobriety exercises, the reliability of observations of impairment, breath or blood testing, refusal allegations, video evidence, and whether the State can establish impairment beyond a reasonable doubt.

Matt Landsman has handled dozens of DUI trials and has litigated defenses involving unlawful traffic stops, investigative errors, insufficient evidence of impairment, and breath-test evidence.

Drug Charges and Search-and-Seizure Issues

Drug cases frequently involve constitutional search-and-seizure questions.

Police may obtain alleged evidence during a traffic stop, vehicle search, residential search, execution of a warrant, or investigation involving another person.

The existence of drugs does not automatically establish that every person nearby possessed them. Florida law distinguishes between actual and constructive possession, and the prosecution may be required to establish knowledge and control in addition to the identity of the alleged controlled substance.

The defense may also challenge whether law enforcement had a lawful basis for the detention or search that produced the evidence.

Landsman Law’s Florida Search and Seizure Law Resource Center addresses issues involving traffic stops, reasonable suspicion, probable cause, consent searches, vehicle searches, search warrants, cellphone evidence, and motions to suppress.

Domestic Violence, Assault and Battery

Domestic violence and battery cases can depend heavily upon the credibility of witnesses and the circumstances surrounding the accusation.

Relevant evidence can include 911 recordings, body-camera footage, photographs, medical records, text messages, emails, prior communications, witness accounts, and statements made to law enforcement.

Domestic violence allegations can also create consequences outside the underlying criminal prosecution, including no-contact restrictions and possible injunction proceedings.

A defense attorney can evaluate inconsistencies, credibility issues, physical evidence, possible defenses, and whether the State can prove the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

Violations of Probation

A violation of probation proceeding differs in important ways from a new criminal prosecution.

An alleged violation may involve a new-law offense or a claimed technical violation such as failing to report, failing to complete a condition, changing residence without permission, or failing a drug test.

Because the rules and potential consequences differ from an ordinary criminal trial, a person accused of violating probation should understand the specific allegation and available defenses.

Criminal Investigations: Before an Arrest

Some of the most important opportunities for criminal defense occur before charges are filed.

If a detective or deputy asks you to come to the station, provide a written statement, consent to a search, or “tell your side,” consider speaking with a criminal defense attorney before agreeing to an interview.

People sometimes assume that cooperating with an interrogation will prevent an arrest. Instead, statements can supply evidence that investigators did not previously possess.

Defense counsel may be able to communicate with investigators, determine the nature of the investigation, preserve evidence, advise the client concerning constitutional rights, and evaluate whether submitting to an interview is in the client’s interests.

Board Certified Criminal Trial Representation

Matt Landsman is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Criminal Trial Law and has more than two decades of criminal defense experience.

His practice has included thousands of criminal cases, jury trials, suppression hearings, evidentiary hearings, serious felony prosecutions, probation proceedings, and appeals.

For someone facing a criminal accusation in a smaller North Central Florida community, Landsman Law provides access to an experienced criminal trial lawyer whose practice is focused on defending people accused of crimes.

Serving Lake Butler and Communities Throughout Union County

Landsman Law represents criminal defendants throughout Union County, including Lake Butler, Raiford, Worthington Springs, and surrounding areas.

The firm’s North Central Florida coverage also includes neighboring Alachua, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and other counties.

Speak With a Union County Criminal Defense Attorney

An arrest is the beginning of a criminal case—not a determination of guilt. The prosecution must still establish the charged offense, and the defense has the opportunity to investigate the evidence, challenge unlawful government conduct, present defenses, and advocate for the accused.

If you have been arrested, charged, or contacted by law enforcement in Union County, contact Landsman Law to discuss the circumstances of your case with attorney Matt Landsman.

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
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 Bradley Hall 
 
 
 
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Thank you Mr. Landsman. Definitely one of the best. If your looking for results, give Matt a call. Great service, stays in contact throughout the whole process, and the results are life saving. I cant thank you enough Mr. Landsman.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Jeff D 
 
 
 
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We will forever be grateful for Matt and his excellent guidance during a tenuous time for our family. He is competent, compassionate, and most importantly, ethical. Thank you Matt.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Lauren Curry 
 
 
 
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Matt represented me and I was never disappointed. His tenacity and experience are impeccable. He maintains a positive vibe which always helped me keep the faith. He does know the law and is respected in the courtroom. In the end he won my case and every single dime spent was well worth it. He literally helped me believe in myself again.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Steven “OmegaLibra” Snooks 
 
 
 
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Landsman Law Great free consultation. Super helpful.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Al Timeter 
 
 
 
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I had a criminal and civil matter. Mr Landsman handled the criminal  matter. Even though he did not usually handle the particular civil area, he made an exception in order to help me. However, I decided I would go with a former judge thinking he was more qualified. Huge mistake. I regret not staying with Mr. Landsman. He was confident, competent and very gracious when I reconnected with him and told him I had made a huge mistake by hiring another attorney. I regret not having stayed with Mr. Landsman after dealing with two other attorneys.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Austin Surphlis 
 
 
 
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Mr. Landsman was super helpful in a pinch and gave great advise in a stressful time. Thank you, Mr. Landsman!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Penny Cason 
 
 
 
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I owe my second chance in life to Matt Landsman. He went beyond what was expected and for that I am forever thankful. His professionalism is unmatched. If you're looking for an attorney that will fight for you and your best outcome... Landsman Law is the right choice. THANK YOU, THANK YOU MATT!!!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Ramai Barsaleau 
 
 
 
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Matt was extremely helpful and provides excellent representation. Incredibly professional, personable, and takes the time to understand exactly what you need for your situation. Would highly recommend giving his office a call for a consultation.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 William Cook 
 
 
 
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One of the most polite folk I have ever met. Even though he could not represent me he told me exactly what I needed to do. Thanx
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Desirae Thomas 
 
 
 
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Mr. Landsman was my uncles criminal court attorney. He was very professional and knowledgeable during court. He exceeded expectations.