People interact with the world around them every day, making decisions and judgments at a moment’s notice. Some decisions, circumstances, and affiliations can lead to criminal suspicion, however, and you might find yourself under investigation or facing criminal charges.
When you are charged with a crime, it can be terrifying to find out that you may be facing extensive prison time, costly fines, and other harsh penalties that can affect your freedom and finances. Most people are unaware of the legal complexities involved in a criminal case and it can be frustrating not knowing how the process works.
If you end up in trouble with the law, a West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer can help you build your case. With the aid of a defense Attorney, you can understand what you face and what the consequences could be. It is your attorney’s job to get you the best possible outcome.
Crimes and Penalties
Most crimes are organized into misdemeanors and felonies with different penalties for each. In Florida, both misdemeanors and felonies increase by degrees based on the severity of the crime, and the penalties increase in turn.
For example, many traffic violations are considered second-degree misdemeanors, but a first offense DUI is a first-degree misdemeanor, and a third-time DUI is considered a third-degree felony if it occurs within ten years of a prior conviction.
https://devleifertlaw.wpenginepowered.com/west-palm-beach-criminal/dui-lawyer/going-to-jail/Some misdemeanors, like petty theft and assault, are charged as misdemeanors in the second degree and can be punished with up to 60 days in jail and a maximum fine of $500. Other, more serious misdemeanors—such as battery and stalking—are charged as misdemeanors in the first degree and can entail sentences of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Common misdemeanor crimes that should result in contact with a criminal lawyer include:
- Possession of marijuana less than 20 grams
- Simple Assault
- Petit theft (which involves stealing less than $300 worth of items)
- Carrying a concealed weapon
If a crime rises to the level of felony, it comes with a more serious set of consequences, degrees, and punishments. Third-degree felonies, such as aggravated stalking and some assault and battery, are punishable with prison sentences of up to five years and fines of up to $5,000, while second-degree felonies (extortion, felony possession of firearms, and some drug crimes depending on the amount) can have sentences of up to 15 years in prison and maximum fines of $10,000.
Crimes that are commonly charged as felonies in Florida include:
- White-collar crimes (tax fraud, embezzlement, bribery, forgery, identity theft, etc.)
- Sexual battery or rape
- Drug trafficking
- Aggravated battery
- Possession of Controlled Substances without a Prescription
First-degree felonies and even more serious offenses can have even longer prison sentences, fines, and other consequences. Both misdemeanors and felonies can have enhanced penalties if a person has prior convictions as well, and your specific situation will determine what you might be facing. Consulting with a Leifert & Leifert Attorney can help you build your defense against a West Palm Beach criminal investigation and prosecution.
How an Attorney Can Help You Throughout the Legal Process
Even before you have been charged with a crime, a Criminal Defense Attorney can help you protect yourself. As a police investigation develops and a suspect is targeted, an Attorney can make sure that the investigators follow the rules and do not violate your rights.
For example, an Attorney can question whether the police have probable cause to execute a search warrant and document if evidence is illegally seized. An Attorney can also stand by you during interrogation and make sure you exercise your right not to incriminate yourself or say anything, should you choose to remain silent.
Once criminal charges arrive, your Attorney can directly challenge the process used and the evidence against you in order to show that you cannot be convicted beyond a reasonable doubt. A lawyer can look to exclude unreliable or prejudiced evidence, such as laboratory tests that could be faulty and eyewitness accounts that might falsely implicate you. Your lawyer should also work to make sure that you are released pending the outcome of your case and are not spending any unnecessary time in jail.
You might also have an alibi and additional evidence that your lawyer can introduce to further demonstrate that you did not commit the crime. Starting as quickly as possible will allow your West Palm Beach Attorney to start building a robust criminal defense, even if you have not been charged yet.
Speak with a Criminal Defense Attorney in West Palm Beach Today
Every person deserves the opportunity to defend themselves in the face of the power of the State. With an experienced, compassionate lawyer on your side, you can explain what happened and protect yourself and your rights.
A West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer from Leifert & Leifert can fight on your behalf and get you the best result possible. Contact our offices for a free consultation and case review by one of our lawyers to learn more.
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2101 Vista Parkway
Suite 1006
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
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Phone: (561) 833-4300
