Melbourne Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer for Your Rights

Defending Against Misdemeanor Charges in Florida

Some people feel that misdemeanors are not serious criminal offenses. However, misdemeanors can have major consequences if you do not take care of them quickly. It is important to contact an experienced Melbourne misdemeanor defense attorney if you are faced with misdemeanor charges.

Some common misdemeanors include:

Even though misdemeanors are minor criminal infractions, they can lead to a criminal record if you do not promptly get them resolved. A criminal record for misdemeanor offenses can affect your ability to get employment, own a gun, rent a car, obtain a loan and a host of other things.

Why Choose Our Melbourne Misdemeanor Defense Team?

At The Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy, we are competent in defending misdemeanor crimes in Melbourne, Florida. Most people will commit a misdemeanor offense during their lifetime, and it does not have to have lasting consequences. Contact our attorney quickly so that he can aggressively defend your misdemeanor case in Brevard County. It is possible to get the charges either dismissed or greatly reduced if you act now.

Understanding Misdemeanor Penalties in Florida

A misdemeanor offense is generally punishable by a maximum 1-year jail sentence and/or a maximum fine of $1,000.

In Florida, there are 2 types of misdemeanors:

• Misdemeanor of the first degree: One year in jail (or one year of probation); $1000 fine
• Misdemeanor of the second degree: Definite term of imprisonment not exceeding 60 days; Fine of up to $500

The first-degree misdemeanor is much more serious than the second-degree misdemeanor. It is still a good idea to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney regardless of kind of misdemeanor charge. A conviction for a first-degree or second-degree misdemeanor can create a criminal record and cause problems later on for you.

Multiple misdemeanor offenses can lead to felony charges so that is why it is so vital to contact an experienced defense attorney to take care of these misdemeanors.

Key Differences: Felony vs. Misdemeanor

A felony is a criminal offense that is punishable by imprisonment in a Florida state prison for longer than one year. In some cases such as capital murder, a felony can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty.

If an individual commits several misdemeanors, the charges can rise to the felony level. A good example is traffic violations. Simple things like speeding tickets and parking violations can sometimes result in felony charges if you have multiple citations that are left unresolved.

Contact Our Melbourne Misdemeanor Attorney for Help

It is best to allow an experienced Melbourne criminal defense attorney to take care of your misdemeanor charges. Usually, individuals choose to plead “no contest” or take some kind of plea bargain that forces them to admit guilt. These individuals have a misconception that a conviction for a misdemeanor will not harm them in the long run.

In reality, an adjudication of guilt for a misdemeanor is considered a conviction under federal law. If you have any other criminal matters in your lifetime, this misdemeanor can count as a first strike against you.

Contrary to popular belief, a misdemeanor can go on criminal record and stay there for a significant length of time. You may have to go through the trouble of hiring an attorney to get your record sealed or expunged later on if you do not fight the misdemeanor now.

For some first time offenders, probation seems like a viable option. It is important to note that you could face jail time if you violate your probation. It is very easy to violate probation. Another speeding ticket or parking violation could conceivably violate your probation and cause you to serve months in jail.

All of these problems can be avoided if you hire a Melbourne misdemeanor attorney. Especially in the cases of first-time offenders, it is possible for the attorney to get the charges completely dismissed.