Criminal defense · Medical cannabis
Criminal defense at every stage — from investigation to the courts — and dedicated work in medical cannabis law. Every step explained clearly, without legal jargon.
24/7 on-call service — in person throughout the State of Rio de Janeiro and via WhatsApp anywhere in Brazil.
After an arrest in the act (flagrante), the first hours are decisive: as a rule, the arrested person must be brought before a judge within 24 hours, at a custody hearing. The on-call service works around the clock — in person throughout the State of Rio de Janeiro and via WhatsApp anywhere in Brazil.
For the family: write down the police station, the time of the arrest and the full name of the person arrested. This information speeds up the service.
Where to start
Choose the option closest to your situation. You will find a simple explanation of what usually happens and of what is usually analyzed in each case.
A summons (intimação) is an official notice to appear at the police station or at court. It may be sent to witnesses, victims or people under investigation — and the document does not always make clear in which of these capacities the person is being called.
You may be accompanied by a lawyer when giving your statement.
After an arrest in the act, the person is taken to the police station and, as a rule, must be brought before a judge within 24 hours, at a custody hearing. That is when it is decided whether they will await trial in freedom.
24/7 on-call service: in person throughout the State of Rio de Janeiro and via WhatsApp anywhere in Brazil.
A police inquiry (inquérito policial) is the investigation stage, before any criminal case begins. Searches and seizures, statements and forensic examinations usually happen here — and what is produced at this stage can shape everything that follows.
Being investigated does not mean being guilty. The presumption of innocence applies at every stage.
Once the Public Prosecutor files charges and the judge accepts them, the criminal case begins: written defense, hearings, judgment and, where appropriate, appeals. Every deadline matters.
If you have been formally served, the deadlines are already running.
Patients with a medical prescription can ask the courts for a safe-conduct order — through a preventive habeas corpus — to grow the number of plants needed for their treatment, extract the oil and, in some cases, import seeds.
The decision always depends on the competent court's analysis of the specific case.
Boards such as those for physicians (CRM), engineers (CREA) and lawyers (OAB) — as well as sports bodies — may open ethics and disciplinary proceedings. They have their own rules and deadlines and may have consequences in other areas, including criminal law.
Defense deadlines in these proceedings are usually short.
The information above is general and does not replace an individual analysis of your case.
Practice areas
Each area describes the type of work carried out and the topics involved. Nothing here is a promise of outcome: every case depends on its own facts, evidence and jurisdiction.
Work at every stage of criminal proceedings, from the police inquiry to the higher courts.
Preventive habeas corpus and regulatory guidance for patients, families and associations.
A changing landscape: after decisions by the Superior Court of Justice and Anvisa's 2026 resolutions (RDC Nos. 1,012 to 1,015), the individual court route remains relevant for many patients.
Defense in disciplinary proceedings and administrative investigations.
How it works
A simple path, designed for people who have never needed a criminal defense lawyer — and for those who need one now.
By WhatsApp, phone, e-mail or the form on this website — in Portuguese, English or Spanish. The lawyer answers personally.
In person in Rio de Janeiro or by video call, from anywhere. Everything you say is protected by attorney-client confidentiality.
Documents, case files and context are examined carefully, so that the guidance is based on facts — not assumptions.
You receive a clear explanation of the alternatives, the risks and the next steps, along with a written proposal for the work.
About
Criminal defense lawyer · OAB/RJ 271.681
He holds a law degree from PUC-Rio, with a focus on criminal law, and a postgraduate degree in Cybercrime from the same university. He works in criminal defense across its different fronts, in medical cannabis law and in administrative disciplinary proceedings.
He is a member of the Special Committee for Studies on Medicinal Plants (Cannabis and Others) of the Rio de Janeiro Bar (OAB/RJ) and co-organizes the column Advocacia da Maconha at Cannabis Monitor, a space for technical debate on drug policy.
During his studies, he trained at criminal defense firms in Rio de Janeiro, at the Public Defender's Office and at the Criminal Sentence Enforcement Court of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice. His undergraduate thesis, “Todo camburão tem um pouco de navio negreiro” (“Every police van carries a trace of the slave ship”), examines Brazil's Criminal Code of 1830 and Penal Code of 1891.
I believe in a politically engaged legal practice, one that is not limited to the courtroom and that seeks to make the country a fairer and more equal place.
Education and career
Associate lawyer
Criminal investigations and cases of all kinds: client service, drafting of filings and court and administrative procedures.
40th and 42nd Criminal Courts of the Capital
Volunteer writing teacher
Classes at the school's community university-entrance prep course.
Articles published by Conjur (in Portuguese) about a case in which he worked alongside lawyers Natan Duek and Max Warner.
Content
Texts, columns and educational publications on criminal law and medical cannabis (in Portuguese). They do not replace an individual consultation.
Short explanations on criminal law and medical cannabis, in everyday language (in Portuguese).
From zero to grow: what is a preventive habeas corpus for medical cultivation?March 2026
“It has already lapsed”: myths and facts about criminal statutes of limitationJuly 2026
Recklessness or conscious negligence? The difference that changes the whole caseJune 2026
CBD for pets: what the rules say and how to access treatmentJuly 2026
The Drug Law turns 20: preventive habeas corpus as a tollSeptember 2026
(Not so) legal questions in 60 seconds — episode 1Video · June 2026
Glossary
Terms that appear in summonses, court decisions and conversations at the police station — explained in a few words.
No term found. Have a question about another word? Ask directly.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the most common questions about the service.
No. The message is for briefly describing the situation and arranging an initial conversation. Sending it does not, by itself, create an attorney-client relationship.
Yes. Conversations can take place by video, from anywhere in Brazil or abroad. In Rio de Janeiro, in-person meetings are also available.
In urgent situations, such as an arrest in the act, in-person assistance is available at any hour throughout the State of Rio de Janeiro. In other states, the first contact takes place via WhatsApp, also 24/7.
Yes. Cases in other states and before the higher courts can be handled, always after an analysis of the case.
Yes. Service is provided in Portuguese, English and Spanish — which helps foreigners in Brazil and cases with international elements, such as importing seeds.
Yes. Everything you tell the lawyer is protected by professional confidentiality under the Brazilian Bar Statute and the OAB Code of Ethics and Discipline.
After the initial analysis, you receive a written proposal with the scope of work and the terms, in accordance with the OAB/RJ Fee Schedule.
Contact
Choose the channel you feel most comfortable with. Sending a message does not, by itself, create an attorney-client relationship.
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