Open Container Ordinance - Can We Get the Charges Dropped

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Florida

I have a close friend who was caught with an open can of beer. The cop gave him a notice to appear with the box for mandatory court appearance checked off and said he was in violation of 4-4-c (Gainesville ordinance). In any case, he's over 21 and has nothing on his record other than a couple of speeding tickets. A defense lawyer contacted him and said he wouldn't have to appear (the attorney would go in his stead) and he was fairly certain he could get the charges dropped. This was particularly important as we live 5 hours away from the courthouse so taking two days off work was a big deal but getting the charges dropped would be even more important. is this attorney correct or just trying to pull one over on him?

The attorney would no better than we would.

Gainesville is notoriously strict about alcohol related offenses. (My brother in-law is a professor at UF.)

The attorney MAY be able to get the charge dropped, but from what my BIL tells me, it's not likely, even with your friend's apparently stellar record.

Personally, I would not do business with an attorney who initiated contact with me first, and then made pie-in-the-sky promises. I would seek out my own counsel AND take the necessary time off work to appear myself.

How far away is Athens from Gainesville, anyway? :)

About 6100 miles, give or take.

Oh...wrong Athens...

so basically, he spoke to 2 separate attorney's who both said that they believe they could talk to the prosecutor into dropping the charges even before the court date...these are 2 guys that were recommend by a friend who went to UF law school and I trust. both guys are charging 750 bucks...more if it has to go to trial. fair?