Orlando Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer
The term “misdemeanor” may not strike the same chord of fear in you as “felony conviction,” but that does not mean it isn’t serious. Although conviction of a misdemeanor does not carry the same severe penalties as a felony charge, you could still be sentenced to up to 12 months in jail. Like felonies, misdemeanors are categorized by degrees. In Orlando, a first degree misdemeanor could earn you 12 months in jail, 12 months of probation and a fine of up to $1,000. A second degree misdemeanor is a lesser offense, punishable by up to two months in prison, half a year of probation and a $500 fine. Possible misdemeanor charges run the gamut from prostitution and possession of marijuana to domestic violence, driving while intoxicated and petty theft. With up to two years of your life hanging in the balance, not to mention $1,000 of your hard-earned money, you need a criminal defense team that can aggressively defend you against these charges.
Some charges hover on the cusp between a misdemeanor and a felony. We call these “wobblers”. The same type of offense may have different levels of severity. For example, a battery charge is a misdemeanor. But if you are accused of having any sort of weapon on you at the time, the charge can escalate to a felony. The difference could amount to about $9,000 in fines or as many as 14 additional years of incarceration. Misdemeanor prison terms are served in the county jail. Felony terms are served at the state penitentiary. As your lawyer, our job is to ensure that the scale tips in your favor, not against it. We will work hard to make sure that if you are charged with a “wobbler”, everything will work out in your favor. We will devote all our resources to making sure that that a misdemeanor charge does not blossom into a felony charge that could ruin your life.
There is no such thing as a “minor” criminal charge. Even misdemeanors can seriously interfere with your life, your livelihood and the welfare of your family. The attorneys at Katz & Phillips have extensive experience in dealing with these kinds of charges. Contact our law offices today to find out how we can help you.
