St. Johns County Criminal Defense Law Firm
DUI and Drug Defense Attorneys Serving St. Augustine and Beyond
Located on the East Coast of Florida, St. Johns County includes the coastal city of St. Augustine. Other communities located here include Hastings, Marineland, Fruit Cove, Nocatee, Palm Valley, Sawgrass and the community of St. Johns. Anyone arrested in this county deserves a defense team that knows the local courthouse, the local prosecutors, and the local judges just as well as the law itself.
Mark Sieron has defended cases in St. Johns County for three decades and is very familiar with the local court system. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime in St. Johns County, criminal defense lawyer Mark Sieron wants to meet with you. A former Florida prosecutor, attorney Sieron can help you sort through all the legal options available and then help you in deciding which one is right for you.
One of the leading criminal defense law firms in Northeast Florida, Aguilar & Sieron, P.A. has a well-earned reputation for delivering results and exceeding clients’ expectations. That’s why we’re eager to meet with you and find out how we can help you make things right.
Criminal Cases Our St. Johns County Law Firm Handles
There are many reasons why you need a lawyer in St. Johns County, Florida. Some of the most common reasons why people hire us involve the following types of criminal cases:
- DUI Charges
- Drug Charges
- Criminal Defense cases
- Sex Crimes
- Domestic Violence Allegations
- Theft and Property Crimes
A first DUI conviction in Florida can carry fines between $500 and $1,000, up to six months in jail, mandatory DUI school, and a license suspension of six months to a year, with penalties increasing sharply if your blood alcohol level was 0.15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle. Drug possession charges vary widely depending on the substance and quantity involved, ranging from a first-degree misdemeanor for a small amount of cannabis to a third-degree felony carrying up to five years in prison for other controlled substances. Certain drug offenses involving sale, delivery, manufacture, or possession with intent near protected locations such as schools or parks can carry enhanced penalties.
You have too much at risk to try to tackle your case on your own. That’s why it’s critical that you schedule an appointment with our law firm as soon as possible.
Where Were You Arrested?
What Happens After a St. Johns County Arrest?
People arrested in St. Johns County are typically booked at the St. Johns County Detention Center in St. Augustine, which is separate from the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center where the actual court hearings take place. Unless the person has already been lawfully released, Florida law requires a first appearance before a judge within 24 hours of arrest, when the charges are read, rights are explained, and release conditions are addressed. What happens at that hearing often determines whether you spend days in custody or go home the same day, which is exactly why having a firm already engaged before that hearing matters.
Release before trial typically comes through one of a few paths, and which one applies to you changes the cost and the timeline significantly:
- Cash Bond: the full bail amount is paid directly to the court in cash or certified funds and is refunded after the case concludes, minus any court fees.
- Surety Bond: a licensed bail bond agent posts the bond in exchange for a nonrefundable fee, usually around 10% of the total bail, which is the more common route when the full amount isn’t readily available.
- Own Recognizance Bond: the judge releases the defendant without payment based on community ties and low flight risk, an outcome that’s far more likely when an attorney has already advocated for it at first appearance.
The next step after release is arraignment, where the accused is formally advised of the filed charges and enters a plea. Every stage from here forward is where an early defense strategy pays off, from negotiating with the State Attorney’s Office to filing motions before evidence gets locked into the record.
What Our St. Johns County Criminal Defense Firm Can Do for You
When you have us on your side, you can take an aggressive approach towards your St. Johns County criminal case right from the start. Instead of law enforcement officials dictating what happens to you, we can stand up up and speak out for you. As your lawyer, we can:
- Analyze Your Arrest Report: we review every detail of the report for inconsistencies, procedural errors, or missing information that could weaken the state’s case.
- Communicate Directly With the Police on Your Behalf: you never have to speak with investigators alone once we’re involved.
- File Motions to Suppress Evidence or Dismiss Charges: when evidence was gathered improperly or the charges lack support, we push to have it excluded or dropped entirely.
- Consult With Experts for Unique Insights: certain cases benefit from toxicology, forensic, or field sobriety testing experts who can challenge the state’s evidence.
- Appear for You in Court at All Times: you don’t have to face hearings and appearances without representation.
- Take Your Case to Trial, If Necessary: when a fair resolution isn’t on the table, we’re prepared to argue your case before a jury.
A firm that only handles cases occasionally in St. Johns County has to learn these dynamics as they go. Attorney Sieron already knows them, and his background as a former prosecutor gives him a clear view of how the state builds its case, which shapes how we build the defense against it.
FAQs About St. Johns County Criminal Defense
Will I go to jail for a first DUI in St. Johns County?
Jail time isn’t automatic for a first DUI in Florida, and judges in this circuit frequently allow probation, community service, or a treatment program instead. The outcome depends heavily on your blood alcohol level, whether anyone was hurt, and how the arrest itself was handled, which is exactly what our firm examines first.
Can drug charges be reduced or dismissed in St. Johns County?
Yes, in many cases. If the substance was found through an unlawful search, or if the state can’t prove you knowingly possessed it, we can move to suppress evidence or seek a dismissal. First-time offenders may also qualify for diversion programs available through the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor charge in St. Johns County?
A misdemeanor conviction can still mean jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record that affects jobs and housing later on. Having our firm involved from the start gives you a far better chance at a reduced charge or a favorable resolution than handling it alone.
How long does a criminal case take in the Seventh Judicial Circuit?
Timelines vary by charge and by court schedule, but most misdemeanor cases resolve faster than felony cases, which often involve additional hearings, evidence review, and negotiation with the State Attorney’s Office. Our firm keeps you informed at every stage so you always know where your case stands.
When Freedom Is on the Line, Experience Matters
Don’t underestimate the seriousness of your criminal charges. Whether you’ve been charged with marijuana possession in St. Augustine or received a DUI charge on I-95 or Interstate 1, we can help. Contact our law firm 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak to a St. Johns County criminal defense lawyer. We’re here for you when you need us most.
St. Augustine
As the St. Johns County seat, St. Augustine includes the Historic District, Lincolnville and portions of Anastasia Island. An arrest may involve the St. Augustine Police Department, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office or Florida Highway Patrol, depending on the location. Aguilar & Sieron defends residents, students and visitors facing DUI, drug, domestic violence, theft and other criminal charges in St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Beach is a separate municipality located along A1A on Anastasia Island. Its police department may investigate traffic stops, incidents at hotels or rental properties and allegations arising near restaurants, beach access points and public events. The resulting state case generally proceeds through the St. Johns County court system at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center.
Ponte Vedra Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach stretches along the Atlantic coast near A1A, Palm Valley Road and Butler Boulevard. Criminal cases may involve DUI stops, drug searches, domestic allegations or incidents at residences, resorts and entertainment venues. Our firm can obtain evidence from the investigating agencies and defend the charge in St. Johns County court.
Nocatee
Nocatee includes residential communities, businesses, schools and recreational areas near Nocatee Parkway, Crosswater Parkway and US 1. When an arrest occurs in a vehicle, shared residence or public area, the defense may need to examine jurisdiction, surveillance footage, witness statements and the legality of any search. Aguilar & Sieron can investigate the accusation and build a defense based on the complete evidence.
Fruit Cove and Julington Creek
Fruit Cove and Julington Creek are located in northern St. Johns County near State Road 13, Racetrack Road and the Duval County line. Arrests in this area are generally handled through the St. Johns County justice system even when the accused lives or works in Jacksonville. Attorney Mark Sieron has decades of experience defending people throughout Northeast Florida against misdemeanor and felony charges.
Hastings
Hastings and the surrounding rural areas of southwestern St. Johns County are connected to St. Augustine by State Road 207 and numerous county roads. Criminal cases may arise from traffic stops, property searches, domestic disputes or allegations involving drugs, theft and violent offenses. Our firm can challenge the state’s evidence, pursue an appropriate resolution and take the case to trial when necessary.