Misdemeanor Defense Attorneys Serving Orlando, FL
Misdemeanor crimes are less severe than felonies, but the charges can continue to impact your life for years down the road. If you are arrested for a misdemeanor crime, contact the misdemeanor defense attorneys at Moses & Rooth today.
Misdemeanor Crimes in the State of Florida
Legal terminology can be confusing to those who are not lawyers. Felonies and misdemeanors describe types of crimes. Felonies are considered more serious than misdemeanors, but there are technicalities that often go unnoticed.
What is a Misdemeanor in Florida?
A misdemeanor is technically defined as any crime for which the maximum sentence is less than one year in county jail and a $1000 fine. Those charged with misdemeanors are not housed in state prison, but may still have to serve time in the county jail depending on the circumstances of their case.
In Florida, there are first-degree and second-degree misdemeanors. First-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in county jail and a $1000 fine while second-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to six months in the county jail and a $500 fine.
Common Misdemeanors in Florida
Common misdemeanors in Florida include:
- Simple battery
- Disorderly conduct
- Domestic violence Battery
- Driving on a suspended license
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Possession of Marijuana
- Petty theft
- Criminal Mischief
- Prostitution
Hiring a Lawyer for a Misdemeanor Offense in Orlando
Just because you have not been charged with the most serious of crimes in the Florida statutes does not mean that you do not need to hire an attorney to fight the charges. Misdemeanors are crimes and being convicted of a crime has serious consequences.
- First and foremost, an experienced attorney at Moses & Rooth can review the facts of your situation and evaluate your case. Before you take an offer from the district attorney’s office, you should have an attorney assess what the prosecution can prove and what they cannot. Otherwise, you may end up accepting a plea agreement for a harsher punishment than is warranted for what evidence the prosecutor has.
- While a misdemeanor is less serious than a felony, it will still show up on a criminal background check. This could damage your reputation when applying for jobs or securing housing for you and your family. In a lot of cases, the court will place an individual who has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense on probation.
- If you violate your probation, you can face the potential for jail time. Additionally, a misdemeanor conviction can have collateral consequences that you would have never expected including the loss of the right to a firearm, drivers license suspension and even make you a habitual traffic offender suspending your license for 5 years.
You might think that a misdemeanor is so minor that you can avoid hiring an attorney to represent your case. Unfortunately, that is not the case. A misdemeanor conviction can carry serious consequences for you and your family. The experienced misdemeanor defense lawyers at Moses and Rooth are knowledgeable in misdemeanors so these types of collateral consequences don’t catch you by surprise.
Do Misdemeanor Convictions Stay on My Record Forever?
Depending on how your case is handled by your attorney, you may be able to have your record sealed or expunged at a later date. Having an experienced criminal lawyer will help you obtain the best result and discuss the opportunities to have the record sealed or expunged at the conclusion.
Having a misdemeanor on your record will not only include the fact of the conviction but will also include the type of crime you have been convicted of. In other words, it pays to have a misdemeanor defense attorney handle your case no matter how insignificant the charges seem.
Contact an Orlando Misdemeanor Defense Attorney Today
The law is complex and any criminal charges filed against you need to be fought to the extent possible under the law. You do not want a misdemeanor on your record, so even if you are being offered a plea down from a felony, it helps to have an Orlando criminal defense attorney look at the charges against you and the evidence the prosecutor is presenting.
Call the Orlando misdemeanor attorneys at Moses & Rooth today and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have included some answers to some commonly asked questions.
How Much Does a Misdemeanor Defense Attorney Cost?
The cost of hiring a misdemeanor defense lawyer depends on the facts of your case. More complex misdemeanor allegations will often require more work from your lawyer, while simple misdemeanor cases often require less. Contact one of our attorneys to determine the legal fee for your case.
Should You Get a Lawyer for a Misdemeanor?
Yes, you should get a misdemeanor defense lawyer. As detailed above, you can still encounter severe penalties for a misdemeanor conviction. Even a relatively minor charge can result in significant monetary penalties, a probation sentence, or time in jail.
How to Find a Misdemeanor Defense Attorney?
You can find a misdemeanor defense lawyer by conducting a simple internet search. However, you do not want your freedom to rest in the hands of just anyone. A misdemeanor attorney needs experience representing people facing misdemeanor charges and a good track record with their former clients. The attorneys at Moses & Rooth have previously worked as prosecutors. As prosecuting attorneys, we learned effective strategies for defending our clients. We can harness that experience to help you navigate your misdemeanor charge.
What Are the Most Common Penalties for Misdemeanors?
The penalties for a misdemeanor conviction will depend on your charge. For example, a DUI conviction may carry mandatory minimum jail sentences, while other misdemeanor charges do not typically result in jail time. Contact our office today so we can review your case and determine what penalties you may be facing.
Can You Go to Jail for a Misdemeanor in Florida?
It is possible to face jail time for a misdemeanor in Florida. Your sentence will be determined by the circumstances of your offense.
How Can I Get Out of a Misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor criminal defense lawyer gives you the best opportunity to secure a favorable outcome after a misdemeanor charge. We will take the time to listen to the facts of your case and prepare a strategy to aggressively defend you.
Misdemeanor Resources:
Misdemeanor classification – Florida Statutes 775.081
Fines – Florida Statutes 775.083