Criminal Charges In Florida: What Are The Penalties?
- By Francis Horowitz
- Published 01/13/2012
- Legal
- Unrated
A criminal charge in Florida is one in which a person is charged with a felony or misdemeanor and ordered to appear in court. The titles felony and misdemeanor indicate the severity of the crimes and the punishment allowable for such. The misdemeanor is the less severe of the crimes and will have a lesser sentence from the court. It is advisable to hire a Tampa Criminal Lawyer if you have been charged with either of these offenses.
A misdemeanor in Florida can include the following charges: battery, domestic violence battery, disorderly conduct, driving on a suspended license, driving while under the influence, loitering and prowling, marijuana possession, petty theft, first offense prostitution and resisting arrest without violence towards an officer. All of these offenses require that you appear in court and will go on your criminal record. All are punishable by a maximum of one year in jail, one year of probation and a $1,000 fine. A Tampa Criminal Lawyer can help you avoid incarceration or even have your charge dismissed, if the case warrants this. It is to your advantage to have legal help when appearing in court.
A felony in Florida is a much more serious and complex charge and is handled in th
e circuit court, as opposed to the county court system. The penalties are higher and the fines are also increased. Examples of felonies in Florida include: Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Burglary, Child Abuse, Drug Possession (Except Marijuana), Felony Battery, Grand Theft, Homicide, Kidnapping, Resisting Officer with Violence, Sex Crimes, including Sexual Battery (Rape), Lewd and Lascivious Battery and more. The punishment is according to the degree of felony for which you are charged.
A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, plus five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine.
A second-degree felony is punishable by up to fifteen years in prison, plus fifteen years of probation, and a $10,000 fine.
A first-degree felony is punishable by up to thirty years in prison, thirty years of probation, and a $10,000 fine.
A life felony is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole, or probation for the remainder of your life, and a $15,000 fine.
Capital Felony
A capital felony is punishable by death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A Tampa Criminal Lawyer can help you to defend yourself and your actions and possibly receive a reduced sentence.
A misdemeanor in Florida can include the following charges: battery, domestic violence battery, disorderly conduct, driving on a suspended license, driving while under the influence, loitering and prowling, marijuana possession, petty theft, first offense prostitution and resisting arrest without violence towards an officer. All of these offenses require that you appear in court and will go on your criminal record. All are punishable by a maximum of one year in jail, one year of probation and a $1,000 fine. A Tampa Criminal Lawyer can help you avoid incarceration or even have your charge dismissed, if the case warrants this. It is to your advantage to have legal help when appearing in court.
A felony in Florida is a much more serious and complex charge and is handled in th
A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, plus five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine.
A second-degree felony is punishable by up to fifteen years in prison, plus fifteen years of probation, and a $10,000 fine.
A first-degree felony is punishable by up to thirty years in prison, thirty years of probation, and a $10,000 fine.
A life felony is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole, or probation for the remainder of your life, and a $15,000 fine.
Capital Felony
A capital felony is punishable by death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A Tampa Criminal Lawyer can help you to defend yourself and your actions and possibly receive a reduced sentence.
Francis Horowitz
Francis is the senior partner and chief marketing officer of a law office in Tampa and has expert knowledge of Tampa dui law and Tampa Criminal Lawyer services as well as marketing for small business.
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