If you have been accused of a crime, your defense is extremely important. There are many attorneys to choose from. Attorney Donnie Murrell is one of only 351 Florida Bar Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys in Florida. Certification is given only to those attorneys who have the knowledge, skills, experience, training and proficiency to achieve this status. You should choose a defense attorney who is highly experienced, focused on his clients, and who takes the time to explain things fully to you.

Yes, you do have legal rights under the “Bill of Rights” of the United States Constitution, and it is very important that you know and understand those rights in order to help your case. Rights include: Miranda Rights, you can not be a witness against yourself (Fifth Amendment), right to a speedy trial (Sixth Amendment), and no excessive bail (Eighth Amendment). A summary of the basic and most important laws affecting those who are arrested can be found on this website in our Legal Rights section.

If your rights were violated, your criminal defense attorney will seek to exclude evidence obtained as a result of misconduct. Your attorney will protect your rights by submitting motions to the judge seeking to exclude the recovered evidence or received statements from trial. Often a successful motion to suppress hurts the prosecutor’s case, causing the case to either be dismissed, or substantially reduced in plea negotiations. 

A misdemeanor is a criminal offense, less serious than a felony, punishable by jail time and possible fines. Misdemeanors are classified as 1st degree and 2nd degree misdemeanors and are handled in County Court. Petty theft, first-time drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident are some examples of misdemeanor crimes.

A felony is a serious criminal offense, usually punishable by a prison term or, in some cases, by death. Felonies are considered more severe than misdemeanors. Murder, extortion and kidnapping are some examples of felonies. Felonies are classified as 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree or capital felonies.

Yes, you need a qualified and experienced lawyer who has handled cases for individuals falsely accused of criminal offenses. Mistakes do happen. You can’t assume that you will not be accused of doing things you did not do, and that the legal system will guarantee that you won’t be falsely convicted. Being falsely accused should not be taken lightly and the consequences can be serious. If you have been falsely accused of a federal crime, violent crime, sexual battery, murder or even drug possession you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to review your evidence and build your defense strategy

Federal court cases are typically investigated by federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, Customs, Treasury, and other federal agencies. Sometimes state and local agencies also file charges in federal court if the offenses involve major quantity of drugs, weapons or other contraband. The federal government has more resources to prosecute cases, including special units to prosecute drugs, fraud, and violent crimes. While the state and local government also has special units, they have fewer prosecutors, with larger case loads. Also, local law enforcement does not have nearly as many resources to complete investigations with as much thoroughness as federal law enforcement. 

The law firm of L. D. Murrell, P.A., handles both state and federal misdemeanor and felony cases involving: federal crimes, violent crimes, drug crimes, property crimes, sexual offenses, white collar crimes and alcohol related crimes. The firm is also known for its appeals and post-conviction work.

Giving you a strong, strategic defense is always the first priority for Attorney Donnie Murrell. Fees are not pre-established. They are based on your individual case, and the amount of time, investigation and effort that will go into your defense. Attorney Murrell will review his fees with you prior to taking your case.