Experienced Trial Attorneys Fighting For You

After being charged with a crime, you may have questions about your next steps. Many people have little to no experience with the Florida criminal justice system. We understand how overwhelming the process can be. Our attorneys will stand by your side through every step of your case, answering your questions and helping you maintain confidence as we move through the legal system.

At Norgard & Chastang, our attorneys have years of trial experience. Both of our attorneys are board-certified in criminal trial practice by The Florida Bar. Attorney Robert (Bob) Norgard has defended clients in over 200 jury trials. Attorney Cory Chastang has previous experience working as a prosecutor. With experience on both sides of the criminal justice system, you can trust our courtroom knowledge and experience to help you throughout your case.

Helping You Understand The Criminal Trial Process

After the prosecutor files criminal charges, you will have your arraignment hearing. At the arraignment, a judge will read the charges, and you can enter a formal plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest. If you plead not guilty, we will move on to discovery and pretrial conferences before your trial date.

Throughout the process, both sides negotiate and try to resolve your case through a compromised plea agreement. If you accept the plea, your case will not proceed to trial. However, plea agreements often require the defendant to take prison time, removing their right to a trial. In many cases, a trial can actually lead to a better overall outcome. In a criminal trial, you have the opportunity to tell your side of the story to a jury and have them decide on your guilt or innocence.

Another strategy we use is to file a motion to suppress evidence that asks the judge not to allow certain evidence to be used against you. The grounds for a motion to suppress include unlawful search and seizure if law enforcement failed to give you Miranda warnings and chain of custody errors.

Depending on your case, you may also be eligible for pretrial diversion. Pretrial diversion is only available for individuals with little to no criminal record and who have been charged with a minor and nonviolent crime. If the court grants a pretrial diversion, your charges will be dropped, and you must complete certain conditions to keep the charges off your record. This may include fines, community service and classes.

We Are Here For You

We understand how stressful this process is. We are here to answer your questions and discuss your concerns. To schedule a free consultation at our Bartow office, call us at 863-354-0508 or complete our online contact form to get in touch.