Miller & Jacobs · Pompano Beach
A weapons charge can put your freedom, job, and family life at risk. Whether it began with a traffic stop or a confrontation, you need a clear plan for what comes next.
Miller & Jacobs examines the search, the evidence linking you to the weapon, and the events behind the charge. We explain your options and build your defense around the facts.
Free consultation · Tell us about the charge or investigation
Start with your situation
You may be worried about missing work, supporting your family, or what happens at the next court appearance. We begin by listening to what happened and what is at stake for you.
Have the arrest paperwork or court notice nearby if you can. Tell us about the next court date, any probation, and any order that limits your right to have a firearm.
Keep original messages, photos, and recordings. Do not edit or delete them. Tell your lawyer where more evidence may be found so we can act before it is lost.
Your work, family, and future still matter. You deserve to be heard, to understand your options, and to have the evidence against you examined carefully.
Building the defense
Where a gun was found is only part of the story. We look at how police found it, who could use it, and what the records show.
Why did officers stop you, and what gave them the right to search? We compare the report with body-camera footage, the timing, and the limits of any warrant or consent. If a search violated your rights, we assess whether the court should keep that evidence out of the case.
In a shared car or home, we look at who knew the gun was there and who could control it. We check who used the space, what each person said, photos, and any tests for fingerprints or DNA. Being near a gun does not settle every question about possession.
A clip may show a gun but miss an earlier threat. We seek the full video, 911 calls, messages, photos of injuries, and witness accounts. We check what each witness could see and whether the accounts agree. Video is not required to prove a charge, so we test the other evidence too.
Having a gun, displaying it, making a threat, and firing it are different acts. We test what the State must prove for the charge it filed. We also check whether you could lawfully carry or possess the weapon and whether the facts support self-defense.
This review helps us decide what to raise with the prosecutor, what to ask the judge to rule on, and what to prepare for trial.
Understand the allegation
A charge for how a gun was carried raises different issues from a claim that it was used to threaten someone. We start with the actual charge and the facts behind it.
A missing carry license does not settle the case. Florida allows eligible adults to carry concealed without one. Under section 790.01, the State must prove both that you lacked a license and that you did not qualify to carry without it.
A prior conviction or court order may bar you from having a gun. We check the actual record, what the law or order restricts, and the proof linking you to the gun or ammunition. Finishing a sentence does not, by itself, restore firearm rights.
Florida’s improper exhibition law covers displaying a weapon in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening way in front of someone else. It excludes necessary self-defense. A threat may also support an aggravated assault charge. We examine what was said and done, and the danger you faced.
A weapon can increase the penalty for another felony. This is often called a sentencing enhancement. Some cases carry a mandatory minimum, a prison term the law requires. We check the charge, whether the gun was possessed or fired, any injury, and your record. A 10-year minimum does not apply to every gun case.
The 2025 McDaniels decision struck down Florida’s general open-carry ban. The Attorney General then issued guidance for law enforcement statewide. That does not make every use or possession of a gun lawful. Your record, where you were, and what happened still matter. We check the law that applies to your case.
Whether police have contacted you or a charge is already filed, tell us what happened and when you need to respond. We can start the conversation even if you do not have every record yet.
Decisions about your case
A court challenge, a plea offer, and a trial involve different risks. We explain what each path could mean for your freedom, record, and future.
1
Some issues can be decided before trial. We may ask the judge to keep out evidence from an unlawful search. If lawful self-defense could end the prosecution, we assess whether to seek an immunity hearing. We explain what a ruling could change and what issues would remain.
2
A plea can have effects beyond the sentence. We explain how an offer could affect your record, work, and firearm rights. You should understand those effects before deciding whether to accept it.
3
We prepare to question the State’s witnesses, test its evidence, and present a defense. The State must prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. We explain the strengths and risks of going to trial so you can weigh that choice.
The partners at Miller & Jacobs
Mr. Miller or Mr. Jacobs handles your defense, with support from staff, investigators, or experts as needed.
Partner
Mark previously worked as a prosecutor and an insurance defense lawyer.
Partner
Rick served as a prosecutor in Miami-Dade County before entering private practice.
Both partners were admitted to practice in Florida that year.
Talk through the charge and your next court date.
Combined career trials across both partners.
A local place to discuss your case and next steps.
The firm reports these career trial totals. They are not weapons-case results and do not predict the outcome of your case.
Start with where the weapon was found, who was there, and whether it was displayed or fired. Tell us what police have said and what you think they may have missed.
The consultation is free. Before hiring a lawyer, ask what work the proposed fee covers and which costs may be separate. You should know what you are agreeing to.
What you may be wondering
Yes. Ownership and possession are different questions. Tell us where the firearm was found, who had access, and what police say connects you to it. Another person’s ownership may be relevant, but it does not by itself resolve the allegation.
Not necessarily. Eligibility, the place involved, and the alleged conduct still matter. We review the specific charge and the law in effect on the incident date. A case involving prohibited possession or threats requires a different analysis from a concealed-carry allegation.
Tell your lawyer what happened before, during, and after the confrontation. Florida recognizes lawful use or threatened use of force, but the requirements depend on the circumstances. We assess the evidence and whether a self-defense immunity hearing or a defense at trial is appropriate. Simply saying “Stand Your Ground” does not end a case.
No single sentencing rule covers every weapons allegation. Some offenses are misdemeanors; others are felonies and may carry mandatory prison terms. The filed charge, evidence, enhancements, and record must be reviewed before anyone can give you a useful assessment.
You can contact Miller & Jacobs while an investigation is pending. Early work may include preserving evidence, reviewing police contact, and presenting relevant information through counsel when appropriate. The prosecutor decides whether to file charges; early representation cannot guarantee that a case will be declined.
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