Port St. Lucie Criminal Lawyer

Port St. Lucie Criminal Defense

At Van Riper & Nies Attorneys, we provide experienced, strategic, and trial-ready Port St Lucie criminal defense representation for clients throughout the Treasure Coast. If you are searching for a Port St Lucie criminal attorney who understands how cases are built, prosecuted, and defended in local courts, experience matters—especially in St. Lucie County criminal defense.

About Christian Van Riper

This article is authored from the perspective of Christian Van Riper, a criminal defense attorney who has practiced criminal law since 2006. He began his career as a prosecutor in St. Lucie County, giving him firsthand insight into how the St. Lucie County prosecutors investigate and prosecute felony and misdemeanor cases. He is also a former DCF investigator, which provides a unique perspective in cases that overlap with child welfare investigations and related allegations. Christian also represents parents in Dependency Court cases.

Christian prides himself on being accessible; each client receives his cellular number, and on combining that accessibility with courtroom experience, preparation, and a results-driven defense strategy. If you need a Port St Lucie Criminal Lawyer who will take your case seriously and fight for your future, our law firm is ready to help.

Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in St. Lucie County

As a Treasure Coast criminal defense law firm, we represent clients charged with a wide range of offenses. Our Port St Lucie criminal defense attorney team handles cases involving:

• DUI charges/ BUI charges (first offenses, multiple offenses, refusals, serious bodily injury allegations)
• Violations of Florida’s new Dangerous Excessive Speeding Law or “Super Speeder Law” (Florida Statutes Section 316.1922)
• Resisting Arrest charges
• Drug charges (drug possession, sale, drug trafficking, drug paraphernalia, prescription drug allegations)
• Domestic violence and battery-related offenses
• Violent crimes (battery, aggravated battery, assault, aggravated assault)
• Theft & property crimes (shoplifting, grand theft, petit theft, burglary, robbery)
• Weapons and firearm charges
• White-collar crimes (credit card fraud, workers’ compensation fraud, forgery, identity theft)
• Probation violations
• Juvenile defense
• Fishing violations
• DCF-related criminal allegations, and all misdemeanors and offenses.

Whether you are dealing with a misdemeanor or a serious felony, a skilled Port St Lucie Criminal Lawyer can challenge the evidence, protect your constitutional rights, and pursue
the most favorable result possible, dismissal, reduction of charges, diversion options when available, or a trial defense.

Former Prosecutor’s Insight

A key advantage of working with a Port St Lucie criminal defense attorney who previously served as a prosecutor is the ability to anticipate how the St. Lucie County Prosecutor’s Office approaches charging decisions and negotiations. As a former St. Lucie County prosecutor, Christian Van Riper understands:

• How charging decisions are made and what evidence the Prosecutor relies on
• Where cases often break down, procedurally and factually
• How plea negotiations are evaluated
• How cases are presented to St. Lucie County and Circuit criminal judges and juries

That insight helps our law firm build smarter, more proactive St. Lucie County criminal defense strategies from day one.

Accessibility, Communication, and Courtroom Experience

Criminal charges are stressful, and criminal cases can move quickly. Christian believes clients deserve direct access to him during the case. Christian Van Riper emphasizes responsiveness and communication; every client has his personal cell phone number. You will not be left guessing about your case, your next court date, or what comes next.

If you are researching criminal defense lawyers in Port St. Lucie or comparing criminal law firms in Port St. Lucie, FL, look for the combination that matters most: experience in court, a strategic mindset, and consistent communication. That is what we deliver as your Port St Lucie Criminal Lawyer.

Local Knowledge Matters for Port St. Lucie Criminal Defense

Criminal cases are not “one size fits all.” Local rules, courtroom expectations, and procedures vary by county. A seasoned Treasure Coast criminal defense team with real experience in the region (19th Judicial Circuit) understands how cases move through the local system and how to position a client for the best possible outcome in St. Lucie County criminal defense matters.

We are a veteran-owned law firm and proudly offer discounts to all military veterans charged with criminal offenses.