Broward County, Florida Criminal Attorney - Felony

Broward County criminal defense lawyers will tell you that, like other urban areas in Florida, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County each have their fair share of felony charges. Florida law defines a felony as any crime punishable by a prison term of more than one year. Like misdemeanors, a felony conviction can also result in probation, fines, and court costs instead of or in addition to prison time.

Florida law recognizes five different classes of felonies. The least severe are third degree felonies. A conviction for a third degree felony can result in a prison term of up to five years. Convicts serve sentences over one year in the Florida state prison system rather than the Broward County jail. Some crimes that are classified as felonies may come as a surprise: certain forms of hazing on a college campus, for instance, are classified as a third-degree felony. If you have been charged with a third degree felony, William Moore, P.A. can help you understand your options.

Second degree felonies are punishable by up to 15 years in a state prison. These crimes are considered quite severe. Aggravated battery, for instance, can be charged as a second degree felony. Less severe cases of battery may only be charged as misdemeanors, punishable by no more than one year in jail. If the defendant used a deadly weapon or purposely inflicted serious harm, the charge will be elevated to aggravated battery. Your criminal defense lawyer may be able to negotiate with the prosecutors to have your charge reduced, to drop the charges, or to arrange a favorable plea bargain. In some instances, depending on the circumstances of your case, your criminal defense attorney may be able to help you win a 'not guilty' verdict.

First degree felonies are extremely serious and could result in a prison term of up to 30 years. In some cases, the law may allow for even longer sentences. Trafficking in cocaine is a first degree felony in the state of Florida. The law provides specific periods of imprisonment along with fines. For instance, trafficking cocaine in Florida in an amount between 400 grams and 150 kilograms will likely result in a mandatory prison sentence of 15 years and a fine of $250,000. If you have been charged with a first degree felony in the Florida, contact criminal defense lawyer William Moore, P.A.

Life felonies are those crimes which can result in a sentence of life in prison. In some cases, the maximum penalty is between 25 years to life in prison, with the time after release on parole or probation. Sexual battery on a victim over the age of 12, when committed with physical force or with the threat of a deadly weapon, is classified as a life felony in Florida. A defendant facing a life felony charge should always be represented by a criminal defense lawyer.

Finally, capital crimes are those in which the state of Florida can seek the death penalty. These are typically murder trials. Although Florida is one of a few states with a law allowing for the death penalty for certain child sex crimes, it has not been used in practice in many years. Even if the state wanted to execute a child rapist, it would be unable to do so, as the United States Supreme Court ruled earlier this year it violates the Constitution's Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

An arrest for a felony can be devastating for you, your family, and your career. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony in Florida, contact William Moore, P.A., which has experienced south Florida criminal defense lawyers with offices in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.

This article should be used for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.