Florida Criminal Defense and Professional Licensure Defense Attorneys

Muller & Sommerville, P.A.

1150 Louisiana Avenue Suite 2
PO Box 2128
Winter Park, Florida 32789
USA

(407) 647-8200

(407) 645-3000

www.chandlermullerlaw.com

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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

At Muller & Sommerville, P.A., much of our success can be attributed to the team approach we take to cases. Our core team includes a board-certified criminal appellate lawyer, a certified trial paralegal, and private investigators who are former law enforcement officers. We have available, depending on the case, a network of experts including forensic accountants, former IRS agents, forensic medical and psychological experts, as well as other medical and addiction specialists.

We also work with forensic case management experts including nationally-known jury consultants and I.T. experts. Attorneys Muller and Sommerville work together on most large cases, pooling their experience, contacts, and resources, as necessary, to present a strong and solid defense for you.

Attorneys at Muller & Sommerville, P.A., are highly respected for defending businesses and people accused of crimes or licensure violations. We defend clients in a wide range of criminal matters, including complex white-collar cases, homicide, sex offenses, and narcotics violations. Our law practice encompasses pre-indictment investigations, negotiations with prosecutors, criminal jury trials, appeals, and post-conviction and collateral relief. We represent professionals including lawyers, judges, and physicians, subject to state and federal disciplinary and licensing matters.

Our Central Florida law firm is led by two experienced criminal defense attorneys, Chandler R. Muller and Thomas D. Sommerville. At Muller & Sommerville, P.A., we take a collaborative approach to larger cases, working together and with an experienced support staff to create the strongest defenses and best solutions possible.

Practice Areas

Practice Areas Description

- Criminal Defense

We handle a broad range of criminal defense cases, from minor legal matters to defense of capital crimes. Regardless of the size or seriousness of the criminal offense charged, we work diligently to present the strongest case possible. This sometimes includes taking a holistic approach by helping the accused with lifestyle issues and negotiating with prosecutors on their behalf. It can also include employing a team of respected and dynamic experts to convince a jury at trial. Our criminal defense attorneys have the experience needed to advise and represent clients under investigation for state or federal crimes, as well as lesser felonies and misdemeanors.

- Homicide Defense

Even in cases where evidence exists connecting the accused to a murder, convicting someone for homicide is not a straightforward, simple matter. Typically, the seriousness of the charge will depend on whether the prosecutor believes the accused intended to kill the victim, whether the crime was planned, and whether enough physical evidence exists to link the accused to the actual crime itself. As such, the prosecution must establish the accused's mental state, motive, and physical action to accomplish the crime. Failure to establish any one of these factors will result in acquittal or a reduction in charges.

- DUI / DUI Manslaughter Charges

Florida has heavy penalties for drunk driving. Consequences can involve license revocation, fines, and jail time. When a person has been injured or killed, penalties become include multiple years in state prison. Florida sentencing guidelines allow for twelve (12) to thirty (30) years in prison for a DUI/DWI vehicular manslaughter conviction. With consequences this serious, you need the lawyers at Muller & Sommerville, P.A., lawyers who treat DUI/DWI defense seriously. We work closely with a team of experts, researchers, and legal staff to prepare strong and effective defenses for our clients.

- Sex Crimes

In America today, people charged with sex crimes face the social stigma of being seen as a sexual offender or sexual predator. The charge affects all aspects of their lives and the people in it: family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. At the law offices of Muller & Sommerville, P.A., we understand how people charged with sex crimes are affected. That is why we mount strong and aggressive sex crime defenses to a variety of charges: sexual battery, sexual assault and child pornography.

- Jimmy Ryce Defense

Because of changes in the law under the Jimmy Ryce Act (Jimmy Ryce Involuntary Civil Commitment for Sexually Violent Predators' Treatment and Care Act), sexual offenders may be forced into a mental treatment facility after serving their prison sentence. If you are facing civil commitment under the Jimmy Ryce Act, our skilled attorneys can take action to prepare a solid civil defense. We will fight for you and for your future.

- Sex Offender Registration

Under Florida state law, persons convicted for felony sex crimes are required to register as sex offenders with the local authorities. Those convicted for misdemeanor sexual offenses may or may not be required to register, depending on the decision of the court. Failure to register promptly and comply with sex offender requirements could result in arrest and incarceration. At the law office of Muller & Sommerville, our attorneys counsel and represent people required to register as sex offenders. We explain the requirements involved, the deadlines for registering, and what, if any, additional restrictions are imposed on you in your specific county or city.

- Drug Crimes

The law office of Muller & Sommerville represents clients in cases involving the following drug-related criminal allegations: drug possession, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, narcotics trafficking, manufacturing of drugs, methamphetamine, crack, narcotics / drug distribution and possession of precursor chemicals. Our lawyers have years of experience handling drug crime defense. They know how to successfully deal with all aspects of your case, including negotiation with prosecutors. They are skilled at putting on a case before a jury. Our office uses the latest technology to organize files and create visual aids. We also consult with experts and researchers to examine every factual and legal element of your case. We make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive a great defense for your alleged drug crime.

- White Collar Crimes

At Muller & Sommerville, P.A., we work closely with clients accused of white collar crime to get the best results in a wide variety of areas: antitrust violations, Internet and computer crimes, computer conversion, credit card fraud charges, phone and telemarketing fraud, bankruptcy fraud, healthcare fraud, including HIPAA violations, Medicaid, and Medicare fraud, viatical fraud, immigration fraud, insurance fraud, mail and wire fraud, tax fraud and evasion, securities fraud, insider trading, public corruption, embezzlement, trade secret theft and money laundering. Through years of practice together, our white collar criminal defense team has developed a recognized capability to successfully handle the defense of those accused of white collar crimes.

- Post-Conviction and Collateral Relief

After you have exhausted all direct appeals from your criminal conviction, legal actions are often still available through the courts to help you seek the freedom you deserve. Attorneys at Muller & Sommerville, P.A., have achieved a great deal of success in motioning the court for collateral and post-conviction relief, including federal and state writs of habeas corpus and Rule 3.850 motions. When these motions are made, the court hears arguments concerning issues like inadequate representation by an attorney, violations of due process, or other legal reasons to set aside your guilty plea or conviction.

- Professional License Defense

If my license is taken away, what will I have left? For many people, their professional license means more than their livelihood; it is a source of pride, often defining who they are. At Muller & Sommerville, P.A., we represent a variety of professionals including physicians, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, and judges, who are facing accusations of professional licensure violations. We know what your license means to you and we work diligently to protect it. We also have extensive experience in cases where an applicant for admission to the Florida Bar is being challenged by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners (FBBE).

- Attorneys and Grievance Hearings

People who have passed the bar may be denied a license to practice law if the Florida Bar believes a candidate's past behavior raises questions about his or her fitness to practice law. Our attorneys have extensive experience in counseling and representing clients who face an investigative hearing before the Florida Bar on allegations of misconduct. These allegations can range from practicing law without a license, to providing legal advice without a license, to conducting questionable legal services or engaging in business practices as an attorney prior to being properly licensed.