Westin Violent Crime & Major Felony Lawyer
If you were arrested for sexual assault, battery, manslaughter, causing serious bodily injury in a traffic collision, burglary, stalking, fraud, possession, or any other violent or major crime, the decisions you make in these next few days and weeks will have a profound impact on the remainder of your life. The lowest degree of felony in the state of Florida is a third-degree felony, which carries up to five years in state prison. While it is rare for someone without a prior conviction to receive the maximum sentencing in any degree of felony, there are still mandatory minimums for most violent and major crimes. Furthermore, it is typical for prosecutors to stack up charges so that the defendant is facing two or three felonies, plus misdemeanors, for a single alleged act. We urge you to take this matter seriously by reaching out to a Westin violent crime & major felony lawyer at Haber | Blank LLP.
Violent Crimes in Florida
There are countless ways in which a violent crime felony can be dismissed: problems with the chain of evidence, inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, no search warrant, illegal search and seizure, favorable forensic evidence, witness testimony, character witnesses, and expert witnesses are just a few of the methods we use to defend our clients.
- Assault
- Aggravated assault
- Sexual battery
- Battery
- Aggravated battery
- DUI felonies
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Breaking and entering
- Carjacking
- Kidnapping
- Child abuse
- Arson
- Manslaughter
- Homicide
- Weapons offenses
Major Felonies
Not all major felonies involve acts or threats of violence. Yet, these offenses can still carry five-, 15-, and 30-year prison sentences, or even life behind bars without the chance of parole. Examples of these major felonies include:
- Drug possession
- Possession with intent to distribute
- Drug trafficking
- Nonviolent firearm offenses
- Criminal property damage
- Child pornography
- Stalking
- White collar felonies
- Grand theft
- Cyber crime
- Fraud
The Five Degrees of Felonies in Florida
While there are different mandatory minimums that apply to various crimes, the following represents the maximum penalties for each degree of felony in Florida:
- Third Degree Felony—Five years in prison, fine of $5,000.
- Second Degree Felony—15 years in prison, fine of $10,000.
- First Degree Felony—30 years in prison, fine of $15,000.
- Life Felony—Life years in prison, fine of $15,000.
- Capital Felony—Life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty.
Call Our Westin Violent Crimes and Major Felonies Lawyer Today
We defend clients in all matters of nonviolent felonies as well as violent crimes. While we have seen it all when it comes to criminal defense of major crimes, we never treat two cases the same, because there are different characteristics to every case out there. The key to an advantageous plea deal or winning in trial is dissecting the prosecution’s case for errors and weak points with a fine-tooth comb, as well as constant and thorough communication with the client to ensure that their needs and desires are being met along the way. Whether you have been charged with a serious violent crime that allegedly caused another person’s major injury or death, or you were arrested for a nonviolent major felony, the Westin criminal defense lawyers at Haber | Blank LLP are available to help. Call us today at 954-767-0300 to schedule a free consultation.
