Veteran-Owned Criminal Defense Trial Law Firm in Broward County

Van Riper and Nies Attorneys, P.A.

10 Fairway Drive (Bank Atlantic Building)
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441
USA

(954) 369-0776

www.vanriperandnies.com

Contact Christian Van Riper, Esq.

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Law Firm Overview FREE CONSULTATION

At Van Riper and Nies Attorneys, P.A., our criminal defense lawyers and staff are known for the personal attention we give to our clients, and our proactive and aggressive litigation style when fighting for our clients' legal and constitutional rights.

We believe in personal attention, proactive and aggressive litigation, open and honest communication and hard work in fighting for their clients' freedom. Attorneys Christian Van Riper and Tim Nies are experienced and dedicated trial attorneys.

When choosing an attorney to represent you, or a loved one, in a criminal case, it is important to consider hiring an experienced criminal attorney quickly. Delay in hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney may harm your case and your chances for a favorable resolution. Consulting a qualified criminal defense attorney early can help protect your freedom.

Christian and Tim are dedicated to providing the strongest, and most well-planned, criminal defense representation in all types of cases, including: Felonies, Murder, Manslaughter, Traffic Offenses, Juvenile Delinquency, Violation of Probation, DUI, BUI, Drug Charges, Fraud, Domestic Battery, White Collar Crimes, Computer Crimes, Prescription Fraud, Immigration Fraud, Violent Crimes, Sexual Battery, Workers' Compensation Fraud, Credit Card Fraud, and Bond Reductions.

Languages: Portuguese; Spanish; English.

Partners

Mr. Christian Van Riper
Attorney
Accident, Admiralty and Maritime, Alimony, Arbitration, Arson

Areas of Law

Additional Areas of Law: Misdemeanors; Violation of Probation (VOP); Violation of Community Control; Boating Under the Influence (BUI); Driving While License Suspended (DWLS); Violent Crimes; Workers' Compensation Fraud; Bond Reductions; Prescription Fraud; Immigration Fraud; Stalking; Kidnapping; False Imprisonment; Hate Crimes; Carjacking; Mugging; Restraining Orders; Bench Warrants; Arrest Warrants; Maritime Injury Claims; Longshore Claims; Defense Base Act Claims; Dental Malpractice.

Areas of Law Description

Our areas of practice at our Stuart office include:

- Criminal Defense

Our veteran-owned law firm is committed to providing aggressive and most well-planned criminal defense representation in all types of cases, including: Felonies, Murder, Manslaughter, Arson, Traffic Offenses, Juvenile Delinquency, Violation of Probation, BUI, DUI, Drug Charges, Credit Card Fraud, Domestic Battery, White Collar Crimes, Computer Crimes, Prescription Fraud, Immigration Fraud, Violent Crimes, Sexual Battery, Workers' Compensation Fraud, Expungements and Bond Reductions. Our attorney, Christian Van Riper, is a former prosecutor and known for his proactive litigation style and accessibility.

- DUI Defense

A DUI is a serious criminal offense that can result jail time and suspension of your driver's license. If you, or someone you know, has been arrested for a DUI, or for a refusal to take a breathalyzer test, speak to our attorneys as quickly as possible. Our trial lawyers will defend you in court and in administrative proceedings before the Department of Motor Vehicles. In addition to DUI defense, our lawyers represent clients accused of other alcohol-related crimes such as BUI (Boating Under the Influence), DUI manslaughter, and felony DUI based on multiple DUI convictions.

- Burglary

If you've been arrested for burglary, you may face jail time. Burglary is a third degree felony. A burglary is committed when one enters a dwelling (home, etc.), structure or conveyance (such as an automobile) with the intent to commit a crime. These type offenses range from entry of a person's home to rob it, looking through the back of a parked car for change, breaking into a car to steal electronic equipment, and others. Committing a burglary while carrying a gun is a first degree felony, and can result in an even longer prison sentence. Oftentimes, an experienced and proactive criminal defense attorney, by evaluating the evidence and speaking to witnesses, will be able to convince the prosecutor to reduce the charge to a trespass.

- Domestic Violence Defense

Domestic Violence offenses are those committed by one family member against another while living in the same household. In particular, as defined in Florida Statute 741.28(2) "Domestic Violence" means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member. Our attorney, Christian Van Riper, is not only a former state attorney, where he prosecuted and tried domestic violence cases, but also is a former investigator with Florida’s Department of children and Families (DCF).

- Violent Crime Defense

A violent crime is a criminal offense that is committed with the use of violence or even with threatening of violence. A conviction of a violent crime, such as robbery or a hate crime usually results in jail time. It is important that before you speak with anyone, to talk with an experienced criminal defense attorney. We are known for the personal attention we give to our clients. Our attorneys will work hard to make sure your legal and Constitutional rights are not broken if you have been charged with: robbery, armed robbery, rape, sexual battery, arson, battery, murder, manslaughter, hate crimes, carjacking, and domestic violence.

- Robbery Defense

Robbery is the use of, or threat of, force to take another's property and includes carjacking, mugging, bank robbery, among others. A charge of robbery should always be taken seriously since the consequences of a conviction are so life-altering. Loss of freedom, separation from one's family, permanent criminal record, and years of probation are just a few of the many punishments associated with robbery charges. If you are facing robbery charges, you must protect your Constitutional rights by retaining an experienced criminal defense lawyer to provide you with proactive and aggressive representation.

- Firearm Offenses

Being charged in Florida with a firearm or weapon charge is serious. Many criminal offenses, if committed while carrying a weapon carry minimum mandatory prison sentences. If you have been charged or arrested for any offense involving a gun or any type of firearm or weapon, such as the offenses listed below, you should talk to an experienced attorney at our firm for a free consultation. Christian Van Riper, a former prosecutor, and Tim Nies, a military veteran and former insurance company trial attorney, are trial attorneys known for leaving no stone unturned in the defense of their clients.

- Restraining Orders

A restraining order is an order that is issued by a court that forbids the man or woman served with the restraining order from making any contact with the person who filed for the restraining order. If you have been served with a restraining order, you are probably worried and concerned. Most likely you have probably never been to court for any reason. Our attorneys can assist you and represent you in court for a very reasonable cost to you. Our attorneys also represent petitioners requesting the court to issue an injunction (restraining order) against a spouse, family member or others for repeat domestic violence.

- Drug Charges

Drug charges cover a broad range of offenses, from the less severe, such as possession of a small amount of certain drugs, to the more serious, such as participation in an ongoing drug-related criminal enterprise or manufacturing and distributing drugs. It may also involve the use, sale, possession, trafficking, or distribution of illegal substances such as: cocaine, marijuana, crack, PCP, ecstasy, LSD, heroin, opiates, and unauthorized prescription medications, such as Zanax. In recent years, the Florida has become more and more strict with both penalties for conviction of drug crimes. If you are convicted, it is very likely that you will spend time in jail, pay hefty fines and/or attend drug or alcohol treatment.

- Driving While License Suspended Defense

Driving with License Suspended or Revoked are serious crimes and are one of the most common crimes prosecuted in Florida. A driver’s license can be suspended or revoked for many reasons, including: failure to pay traffic tickets, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, DUI convictions or suspensions, too many driver's license points. If you are arrested for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked, it is important that you speak with an attorney right away as you may have several defenses to the charges brought by the prosecutor. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients arrested or ticketed for Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) or Driving While License Revoked.

- Credit Card Fraud Defense

Credit card fraud is a serious offense in Florida. In some cases, a credit card fraud is committed when a person uses a credit card belonging to someone else without their permission, or acquires a card with a fake name, or even instances where a fake credit card is produced by counterfeit. In other offenses, the fraud is completed over the Internet and may also be considered computer fraud and wire fraud. Any of these crimes are serious and carry severe penalties if convicted in federal court. If you have been charged with credit card fraud, it is critical that you talk to an attorney as quickly as possible.

- Workers' Compensation Fraud Defense

In Florida, employers may be charged with committing workers' compensation fraud for not carrying workers’ compensation insurance. Employees may be charged with committing workers’ compensation fraud for: 1) applying for and receiving workers’ compensation benefits for injuries that do not exist (faking or making up injuries), 2) applying for and receiving workers’ compensation benefits for injuries that actually occurred outside of work, 3) exaggerating the seriousness of an injury, 4) Materially lying to physicians about previous injuries, 5) receiving workers’ compensation benefits for the same injury from multiple employers, and others.

- Probation Violations

Our attorney and former Florida prosecutor, Christian Van Riper, is experienced in representing clients charged with violation of probation (VOP) offenses in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.  When placed on probation, you are told of the conditions or rules you must complete or abide by while you are on probation. If you violate the conditions by intentionally or materially violating the rules, your probation may be violated. A probation officer will complete an affidavit requesting the judge to sign a warrant for your arrest. Thereafter, you may be kept in a county jail pending the results of a violation or bond hearing.

- Expungements

A criminal record can prevent men and women from obtaining good paying jobs, getting into schools, or from achieving other goals in their lives. Our attorneys are experienced in handling expungement cases. If you have a criminal record, prior to applying to a school or new employment, or applying for a home loan, please talk to our attorneys about an expungement or sealing of your records. There are many criminal offenses that can be sealed or expunged. Our criminal defense attorneys will work with you to seal or expunge the criminal records of your past so you can apply to colleges or jobs or credit without fear of being turned down because of your past.

- Bench Warrants

In Florida, a bench warrant in Florida is a variation of an arrest warrant, issued typically by a Florida judge, which authorizes the arrest of an individual usually for a violation of a court order (contempt of court). Bench warrants are regularly issued when a defendant fails to appear in court for required court hearing or trial or when a defendant has violated a term of his or her probation. Being on the receiving end of a bench warrant is nerve-racking. If you are out of Florida, local police will typically arrest the defendant and hold them at the nearest jail until you are transferred back to Florida. The process is not a quick one and you may end up spending a significant amount of time waiting to be transported to Florida.

- Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Florida is a written order of a judge, which directs police to locate and arrest/detain a person. Such warrants are typically ordered when a Florida judge finds “probable cause” that a defendant has committed a law violation. Whether you have learned that you have a bench warrant or arrest warrant issued against you, our trial attorneys will fight to have the warrant removed. Living in fear of being pulled over or that law enforcement will be knocking on your door is stressful and clearly not the way to handle a warrant. Our attorneys are experienced in such cases and, in most instances we will file a motion to set aside the bench or arrest warrant. The worst thing you can do is to ignore the warrant as they will not go away on their own and if you are arrested, you may be held in custody without bond.

- Bond Reductions

The purpose of setting bail is to ensure that the defendant returns to court for trial and any other pre-trial hearings. All too often bail is set too high. Bail is commonly set the day a defendant is arrested or at first appearance. Our skilled bail bond reduction attorneys will file an expedited motion with the court to reduce his or her client's bail. We will demonstrate to the court that our client is not a danger to society and stress our client's ties to the local community and the weaknesses in the prosecutor's case. We will present testimony of witnesses, including our clients' friends, family, and others to demonstrate to the judge that you will return for mandatory hearings and trial and will not flee the jurisdiction.