Criminal Law
Polk County, Florida Criminal Defense, Serious Felony & DUI Attorney
![Handing over car keys while holding a glass of whiskey, symbolizing DUI and legal defense in Polk County.](/static/2024/08/Polk-County-Florida-Criminal-Defense-Serious-Felony-DUI-Attorney.jpg)
The Law Offices of Whittel & Melton handle all types of criminal matters in Polk County, Florida, including all State Felonies, Juvenile offenses, Misdemeanors, DUIs, DWLS, and Traffic Tickets.
If you have been arrested or ticketed in Polk County, Florida, call the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).
Comprehensive Criminal Defense in Polk County, Florida
Polk County Criminal Cases are prosecuted in the criminal courthouse in Bartow, Florida. The Law Offices of Whittel & Melton are fully prepared to defend you against any criminal or criminal traffic charges in Polk County, including:
- DUI, DUI Serious Bodily Injury, and DUI Manslaughter
- Homicide and Murder
- Drug-Related Offenses: Possession of Cocaine, Marijuana; Drug Trafficking and Distribution; Grow House and Cultivation
- Assault and Battery (Felony or Misdemeanor)
- Sex Crimes: Sexual Battery, Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, Rape, Sex Offender Failure to Register
- Firearms and Weapons Charges
- Domestic Violence
- Grand Theft, Burglary, and Robbery
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident
- Reckless Driving and Racing on the Highway
- Driving on a Suspended License and Habitual Traffic Offender Status
Arrest Records and Sheriff’s Office Information
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office usually makes arrests—which Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd leads. If you have been arrested in Polk County, Florida, and would like to review your arrest records, most Sheriff’s Offices will provide this information.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is located at 455 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, Florida, 33830-3398. The State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida prosecutes criminal cases in Polk County. Polk County Clerk Richard Weiss handles filing for Polk County in the 10th Circuit. His office is at 255 North Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830.
Everything You Should Know About Polk County
The population in Polk County is most likely somewhere near 560,000. Like most Florida Counties, Polk County is run by a County Commission. As of 2008, the County commissioners were Bob English, Randy Wilkinson, Jack Myers, Jean Reed, and Sam Johnson.
Bartow was initially known as Fort Blount, the county seat and home to the criminal courthouse. It was renamed Bartow in honor of a Confederate soldier. Francis S. Bartow was not from Florida but a Confederate Colonel from Georgia and the first Confederate officer to die during the first battle of the Civil War.
In February of 1861, Polk County became the 39th county of Florida when Hillsborough County was divided into an East and West half. The state of Florida now has 67 counties. The eastern half of Hillsborough County was named in honor of our 11th President of the United States, James Knox Polk. Curiously enough, Polk was sworn in as President on the day after Florida’s statehood, on March 3, 1845.
The Law Offices of Whittel & Melton handles all Arrests and Tickets served in Polk County, including those from the city of Auburndale, FL, Bartow, FL, Davenport, FL, Dundee, FL, Eagle Lake, FL, Fedhaven, FL, Fort Meade, FL, Frostproof, FL, Haines City, FL, Highland Park, FL, Hillcrest, FL, Heights, FL, Indian Lake Estates, FL, Lake Alfred, FL, Lake Hamilton, FL, Lake Wales, FL, Lakeland, FL, Mulberry, FL, Nalcrest, FL, Polk City, FL, Providence, FL and Winter Haven, FL.
Polk County, Florida Traffic Point Suspension Consequences
- Twelve (12) Points in Twelve (12) Months – thirty (30) days
- Eighteen (18) Points in Eighteen (18) Months – three (3) months
- Twenty-four (24) Points in Thirty-Six Months – one (1) year
- Polk County, Florida Traffic Point Consequences of a Conviction in Polk County Traffic Court
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident with property damage of fifty dollars or more – six (6) points
- Unlawful Speed with an accident – six (6) points
- Reckless Driving – four (4) points
- A moving violation with an accident – four (4) points
- Passing a school bus parked – four (4) points
- Driving during restricted hours – three (3) points
- Speeding – 16 miles per hour or more over speed limit – four (4) points
- Speeding – 15 miles per hour or less over speed limit – three (3) points
- Most other moving violations – three (3) points
- Improper equipment – zero (0) points
- Open Container – three (3) points
Polk County is a jurisdiction handled by the State Attorney for Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit based in Bartow, Florida.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, DUI, or a traffic ticket in Polk County, Florida, contact the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).