Experienced, Aggressive and Compassionate West Palm Beach, Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys

Michelle Suskauer

Criminal Defense Attorney, West Palm Beach

If you are looking for an aggressive criminal attorney in West Palm Beach, nationally-known criminal defense attorney and legal analyst Michelle Suskauer has more than 25 years of criminal defense experience in Palm Beach County, Florida, and has participated in hundreds of criminal trials (both jury and non-jury).

Michelle is an AV Preeminent Rated Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, which indicates that an attorney has reached “the height of professional excellence” and is recognized for the “highest skill and integrity.” She has been listed in 2020 Florida Super Lawyers Magazine, 2019 Palm Beach Illustrated Top Lawyers, Florida Trend as one of Florida’s Legal Elite, and has a perfect 10.0 (Superb) Avvo Rating for Criminal Defense.

Learn More »

What Ruth Bader Ginsburg Meant to Us

September 21, 2020

Michelle recently appeared on the Legal Talk Network Podcast, legal talk today. In this non-political tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 10 women leaders share how the late Supreme Court Justice inspired them in their legal careers.

Legal Expert Michelle Suskauer Appears on WPTV News Channel 5 to Discuss Ghislaine Maxwell’s Guilty Verdict

Legal expert and attorney, Michelle Suskauer, appears on WPTV to share insights on the Ghislaine Maxwell guilty verdict in her federal sex trafficking trial.

Watch the Video »

WPTV Legal Expert Michelle Suskauer Explains Derek Chauvin’s Three convictions

WPTV legal expert and defense attorney Michelle Suskauer breaks down the three charges for which former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted.

Watch the Video »

Point of View: Crucial support for backbone of Florida court, justice system

Michelle Suskauer Recognized for Professional Excellence by Daily Business Review for 2021 Florida Legal Awards

Michelle Suskauer Featured in New Book: 50 Lessons for Women Lawyers

Domestic Defense

If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a domestic violence offense in Florida, it can certainly be a very difficult and traumatic time for the entire family and everyone involved. The person that has been charged has a lot a stake: their property, their family, their job, their reputation and their future. Domestic violence can take many forms: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and economic abuse. In Florida domestic violence is a classification of several different criminal acts (assault, battery, child abuse, etc…) committed by one family member against another. It is important to understand how domestic violence offenses are handled in Florida. Don’t wait. Consult an experienced and compassionate criminal defense attorney to aggressively for your rights. Learn More About Domestic Charges.

DUI Defense

If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with Drunk Driving, Driving While Impaired (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Florida, it is a serious offense. DUI charges can result in heavy fines, revocation of your driver’s license, impounding or immobilization of your vehicle, community service, increased insurance premiums, DUI school. And if it is a repeat offense, jail time is a possibility. Upon conviction for a DUI charge, the penalties are the same, despite the way the DUI offense is proven. Whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, don’t wait. Learn more about DUI charges and potential punishments in Florida. Consult an experienced DUI lawyer that will aggressively fight for your rights. Learn More About Florida DUI Defense.

Juvenile Defense

When a child (under age of 18) is arrested and/or charged with a crime in Florida, it can be an incredibly stressful and difficult time for the family. You’re worried about what charges and penalties they will face. Will they be charged as an adult? Will they have a criminal record? Will this impact their future? The reality is, these are all possibilities. There may be a lot at stake. That’s why it is important to hire an attorney that has experience with juvenile cases in the state of Florida. Our criminal defense attorneys are experienced with and understand the stress that a juvenile charge can place on a family, and will fight aggressively to protect the rights of the child involved. Contact us to better understand juvenile offenses in Florida and getting the legal help you need. Learn More About Juvenile Charges.

Drug Charges

If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug or narcotics-related offense in Federal or Florida state court, we can help. Whether someone suffering from addiction or a recreational user, you will face the same legal issues and penalties. There are wide range of drug offenses and factors that affect your case: possession, distribution, intent, the type of drug, and the amount in question. Having aggressive and experienced legal counsel to represent your interests from the beginning can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. In Florida, penalties for drug convictions are severe. They can range from probation or community service to heavy fines and imprisonment. Contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to aggressively fight for your rights. Learn More About Drug Charges in FL.

Sexual Offenses

If you or a loved one has been accused of a sexual offense or sex crime in Florida, we understand that it can be a very difficult and deeply concerning situation. Sexual offense charges (prostitution, solicitation, sexual battery, internet crimes, rape, etc…) are extremely serious. In Florida these crimes are prosecuted aggressively, and generally carry the most severe penalties and punishments. Sexual offense charges can have an adverse impact on an individual’s reputation, job, and social status. Additionally, the media often pursues these types of cases for national and local coverage. Don’t wait, Contact an experienced and compassionate criminal defense attorney to aggressively fight for your rights. Learn More Florida Sexual Offenses.

Violent Crime Defense

If you, or a loved one, has been accused of (or arrested) for a violent crime in Florida, it is an extremely serious charge. Without question, violent crime convictions (murder, homicide, manslaughter, battery, rape, kidnapping, assault, robbery, etc…) carry the most heavy penalties in the Florida criminal justice system. It is very important that you consult and experienced criminal lawyer that is experienced with criminal charges and understands the state laws and legal process involved with violent crimes. Because most violent crimes are felonies and carry severe punishment that include heavy fines and prison time, it is important that you contact an experienced attorney that will be with you every step of the way and aggressively fight for your rights. Learn More Violent Crime Defense.

White Collar Crimes

White collar crime may be perpetrated silently and stealthily, but it is still a crime. It is carried out in boardrooms, in banks, and in many other places where professionals, business people and public officials work and gather. If you, your company, or someone you do business with is under investigation, or has been arrested and charged with a white collar crime, such as fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, etc., understand that careers, livelihoods, and reputations may be in serious jeopardy. That is why, it is extremely important to obtain the guidance and representation of an experienced criminal defense attorney who handles white collar offenses. Learn More About White Collar Charges.

Federal Offenses

Wrongdoing committed against the laws of the United States of America, as opposed to violations of state statutes or municipal codes are classified as federal crimes, or federal offenses. Federal laws have been codified by the United States Congress and are enforced by the executive branch of the national government through its many law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the DEA, and the IRS. If you are charged with a federal crime you may be facing severe penalties including heavy fines and possible jail time in one of the country’s 113 federal penal institutions. You need to contact an attorney who has experience dealing with the federal court system where your case will be tried and adjudicated. Learn More About Federal Charges.

Sealing & Expunging Criminal Records

Society recognizes that it is important that people who have committed a crime and have paid their debt to society, have the ability to get on with their lives without having the stigma of past misdeeds constantly hovering over their heads, and perhaps preventing them from getting a job, renting an apartment, or securing a loan. That is why Florida’s justice system has a process in place for the sealing and expunging of criminal records. If you have served your time, or otherwise have had criminal charges against you dropped for any reason, you may be eligible to have your criminal history kept from public view. If you want to have your criminal records sealed or expunged, you should contact an attorney who is familiar with Florida’s expungement procedures. Learn More About Sealing & Expunging Records.

Theft Charges

Laws against theft are as old as the Ten Commandments and the act of knowingly obtaining, using, or taking the property of another, or depriving an owner of, or the use of, his or her lawful property, is a still a crime, today. Theft is punishable by a wide range of sanctions, up to and including long sentences in prison. If you are charged with the crime of theft, you need the skilled guidance of a competent attorney to advise you and help you in handling your defense in a court of law. If you or a loved one has been charged with theft in the state of Florida, don’t wait. Contact an experience criminal attorney to fight for your rights. Learn More About Theft Charges.

Robbery Charges

The crime of robbery is theft that is accompanied by the use of force, violence, threat, or intimidation against a victim. Robbery exists whenever property is unlawfully taken from another person who is either physically abused, threatened with harm, or frightened into giving up any possession of value. And it is not always necessary for a robbery offense to include the use of a firearm, or other type of deadly weapon. In Florida, robbery is a felony offense that carries penalties up to life imprisonment in a state penitentiary. Your future is in grave jeopardy if you are charged with robbery and subsequently convicted. It is imperative that you obtain the assistance of a knowledgeable and capable attorney who can help you with your robbery defense. Learn More About Robbery Charges.

Computer Crimes

The proliferation of computers has spawned along with it a growing category of unlawful misdeeds, known as computer crime or cybercrime. Cybercrime is any offense that uses a computer, or computer technology, as a communication device in order to defraud, steal, threaten, or extort an individual or a company. Cybercrime also occurs whenever a computer or computer system is the object of unauthorized access or data theft. Both the federal government and the state of Florida have promulgated an ever expanding body of cybercrime laws and statutes. And prosecutors are going after cybercriminals, vigorously. If you are charged with a cybercrime, your livelihood and your family’s future are in serious jeopardy. Contact an experienced lawyer who understands the newest laws regulating computer crime. Learn More About Computer and Internet Crimes.

Compassionate Release

Federal law authorizes the Bureau of Prisons to allow certain inmates to request “Compassionate Release” which allows for early release from Federal prisons under “extraordinary and compelling” circumstances. Additionally, the First Step Act may allow judges to release federal inmates during this pandemic, especially those with serious illnesses or conditions or those that are vulnerable to respiratory issues that can be particularly harmful if infected with the Coronavirus. If you would like assistance filing a motion for Compassionate Release, throughout Florida, due to Coronavirus or COVID-19, please contact our office to discuss your specific case. Our consultations are free.

Probation Violations

For many criminal offenses in Florida, state statutes allow the courts to order probation as part, or the entirety of, an offender’s adjudicated sentence. When a court decides on the option of probation, a person convicted of a crime gets the chance to remain in the community instead of going to prison. Learn more about probation violations in Florida and how to get the legal assistance you need.