In the State of Florida, a felony crime is recognized as a serious offense that could result in severe consequences such as spending a lifetime in prison or even receiving the death penalty. Depending on the case’s circumstances and details, a felony crime could be classed as a life, capital, first-degree, second-degree, or a third-degree felony.
- Capital felony – The most serious crime is committing a capital felony, and it is punishable by the death penalty in Florida, as outlined in Florida Statute 775.082 and Florida Statute 775.083. A capital felony is usually charged in the case of first-degree murder.
- Life felony – In the case of a life felony conviction, it can result in a life sentence in prison and receiving a fine of up to $15,000.
- First-degree felony – In the case of a first-degree felony, it can result in up to thirty years in prison and receiving a fine of up to $10,000
- Second-degree felony – In the case of a second-degree felony, it can result in up to fifteen years in prison and receiving a fine of up to $10,000.
- Third-degree felony – In the case of a third-degree felony, it can result in up to five years in prison and receiving a fine of up to $5,000.
If you have been charged with committing a felony offense, and no punishment or degree has been designated, then the crime will be charged as a third-degree felony. However, suppose you are being convicted after having received two or more felony convictions on your criminal record in the past. In that case, your prison sentence will be extended to a longer-term, as stated under Florida’s Three Strikes Law (also known as the Habitual Offenders Law).
After receiving your felony charge, it is important that you hire the services of a lawyer from The Law Place as soon as possible. The faster that a lawyer gets on the case for you, the more likely they will be able to minimize the consequences and reduce the criminal charges you face. Our law firm has over seventy-five years of experience in managing hundreds of cases in relation to felonies, such as drug crimes, white-collar crimes, domestic violence, and sex crimes. If you are looking for the best legal advice in Sarasota, FL., then reach out and call a skilled lawyer from our law firm. Contact us now on (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation in Sarasota County, where a lawyer will be able to discuss the available options and possible defense strategies we could use to fight for your rights in court.
Felony Offenses in Sarasota, FL.
Felony offenses are serious crimes in Sarasota, FL., and there are many examples of felonies recognized by the State of Florida, such as:
- A murder crime.
- A case of aggravated battery or aggravated assault.
- A case of child abuse.
- A case of domestic violence.
- A burglary crime.
- A case of battery on a police officer or firefighter.
- Possession of a controlled substance crime, excluding marijuana.
- A case of kidnapping.
- A grand theft crime.
- A case of stalking.
- A case of incest.
- A carjacking crime.
- A case of resisting an officer using violence.
- A case of sex crimes, including rape.
- A drug trafficking crime.
- A robbery crime.
- A case of carrying a concealed weapon.
Most of these felonies include violence against another person that can potentially lead to their death. A person can be charged with one or multiple felony crimes, depending on the circumstances and details of the case, including the extent of the injuries.
There is a numerical value assigned to felony offenses in the State of Florida, which is based on the ranking system that has been administered by the Florida State Legislature. In other words, the higher an offense ranks, the more amount of points are given. For example, a score over 44 points will end in a minimum prison term, but a score of lower than 44 points means that the judge is not automatically required to send you to prison. However, that is not to say that they can’t decide to do so.
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Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code
Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code (CPC) is the scoring system used to determine the minimum sentence for a charge. According to the CPC, a felony is assigned an ‘offense level’ between 1 and 10 that carries a corresponding point value. In order to determine a score, crimes are usually designated as a ‘primary offense,’ ‘additional offenses,’ and a ‘prior record.’ Under the legislated ranking system, they are assigned a total number of points.
As stated previously, the more serious the crime is, then the higher number of points are assigned. For example, a score of over 44 points will tend to result in a minimum sentence of up to one year in prison. It is also worth noting that the State of Florida has abolished parole. In addition, the CPC will consider adding extra points if these conditions occur:
- An injury of a victim.
- A violation of legal status.
- A violation of community sanction.
- A violation of firearms or weapons.
- A list of prior serious felonies.
- Enhancement multipliers.
A criminal with multiple prior felonies and convictions will receive enhanced penalties in the State of Florida. The enhancements could possibly include a few or all the designations listed below. Each of the enhancements has different qualifications and sentences.
- A violent career criminal.
- A prison releasee re-offender (PRRP)
- A habitual felony offender.
- A habitual violent felony offender.
- A three-time violent felony offender.
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Additional Consequences of a Felony Conviction in Sarasota, FL.
If you have been convicted of a felony offense, you will most likely be facing severe consequences for your actions, such as receiving a prison sentence and a large fine. Following the conviction of a felony offense, it will be added to your criminal record, which could make it difficult for you to find employment and obtain a professional license, prevent you from renting or buying a home, and stop you from obtaining a student loan. It is possible that you could also be prohibited from owning a weapon and prevented from voting during elections.
Felonies are not tolerated, and criminals won’t get away without punishment in Sarasota County and across the State of Florida. Therefore, it is crucial for your case that you hire the services of a professional and highly trained lawyer from The Law Place. Our law firm will work day and night to develop a strong legal defense to fight against your criminal charges. Contact us now for a free consultation, and we will make sure that you receive a reasonable outcome for your case in Sarasota County.
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Building a Defense for Felonies in Sarasota, FL.
The Law Place has managed hundreds of cases in relation to felonies and other charges. Our law firm specializes in helping clients in Sarasota County and across the state of Florida fight their felony charges. Some of the most common defenses to felonies include:
- Duress – If a person was under threat of serious bodily harm or even death and thereby forced was to act and behave in a certain way as an attempt to try and avoid the threat.
- Entrapment – If a person was a part of a scheme or sting operation and committed the crime under law enforcement’s direction.
- Infancy – The person was under the age of criminal responsibility.
- Lack of capacity – If the person was under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or prescribed medication and lacked control over their actions due to an altered state of mind, disability, or delusion.
- Mistake of fact – If the person were unaware of a fact that would result in illegal activities.
- Necessity or emergency – If the person was in the face of immediate danger or an emergency, which threatened bodily harm, and there were no other means to avoid it.
- Self-defense – If a person feared serious bodily harm or even death, and deadly force had to be used.
The Constitution of the United States also guarantees double jeopardy as a defense. This ensures that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime after a conviction or acquittal has been reached.
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What Do You Do if Charged With a Felony Crime in Sarasota, FL?
Felonies are a serious matter, and you will need a rigorous legal defense if you have been charged with a felony offense. It is worth contacting a criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place to handle your charges, as we have the necessary knowledge and experience to fight your case.
One of the keys to building a defense against a felony charge is how quickly you act. A prosecutor will usually aim to charge a suspect as soon as possible, especially in the event of a felony charge. However, the important thing to keep in mind is that you are still innocent unless you are proven guilty by the prosecutor.
If you lack a strong legal defense, then it will certainly be difficult to fight your case. If you have been charged with a felony, it is essential that you seek representation from a reputable law firm immediately.
It is common for most lawyers of the prosecution to reach out and contact you in an attempt to meet and talk it out. During the meeting, they will most likely offer you a plea deal. However, it can be hard to keep on track with the logic and fast thinking of a prosecutor when you aren’t aware of their deceptive methods. It is worth adding that there are certain cases and situations where it will be in your best interests to accept and shake hands on a plea deal, but you will need a skilled criminal defense lawyer on your side to help you with the negotiation and to protect your rights. Otherwise, it is possible that you could get confused and deceived by an excessively eager prosecutor who is looking to build a name and reputation for themselves.
Contact The Law Place Today in Sarasota, FL.
If you or a loved one have been arrested and are now facing charges of a felony offense in Sarasota County, you will need all of the help you can get from a skilled criminal defense lawyer. The punishments and consequences of a felony crime are all very serious. Whether it’s domestic violence, a sex crime, a white-collar crime, or a drug crime, an intense investigation will be conducted.
If you are not aware of the laws surrounding felonies, then a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer from The Law Place will be of good value to you. We will help you to navigate and understand the law in the State of Florida, and we will answer any questions that you might have about your case. The services and skills of a professional and highly trained lawyer are vital, especially in the case of a felony offense. If you seek legal advice, we highly recommend that you contact us now for a free consultation. Our law firm will talk you through the process and clearly explain your rights.
It is important to note that most felony cases will require an extensive investigation at this stage, which cannot be resolved at the plea stage. An experienced lawyer from The Law Place will have the knowledge and expertise to develop a strong defense case to present it in front of the court in an effort attempt to bring it to a successful resolution if a plea cannot be reached.
The two of the most distinctive attributes of a felony crime is the severity of the act of violence against another person and the long sentences that follow once a conviction has been ordered – regardless of if the conviction was attained through trial or plea. It is worth noting that a felony crime will usually end with a prison sentence of over a year. On the other hand, a misdemeanor crime will usually receive a prison sentence of under a year.
The Law Place specializes in representing individuals who have been charged with a felony crime. Our law firm has the skills to explore the possible defense options and negotiate a resolution to reduce charges or possibly even dismiss the case if there is a violation of constitutional or legal rights.
If you have been charged with a felony crime, it is of utmost importance that you immediately reach out and speak to a professional criminal defense attorney. You could potentially be facing serious penalties, such as spending a lengthy amount of time in prison and receiving a hefty fine. Our skilled attorneys are ready to build a strong defense for your case fight for your rights. Contact us now for a free consultation on (941) 444-4444, and we will fight your felony charges together in Sarasota County.
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