Felonies are the most serious of crimes, and Florida takes them seriously. Getting a felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor may be the difference between a short jail term or a lengthy prison sentence with hefty fines. A good defense attorney, like the attorneys of Farkas & Crowley, may be able to get a felony charge reduced.
The maximum prison sentence for misdemeanors is usually one year, whereas felonies can result in terms such as life imprisonment. A felony conviction on your record can make it very difficult to secure employment or housing, access higher education, or obtain other necessities later in life after your release.
Felonies Eligible For Reduction
In some situations, a felony charge can be reduced to a misdemeanor. Adam Farkas and Jacqueline Crowley both have strong backgrounds in Florida’s criminal justice system and will work to have charges dismissed or reduced. The felony crime must also have a misdemeanor level for which charges can be reduced. If you’ve been charged with:
- DUI
- Domestic violence
- Drug abuse
- Shoplifting (depending on the amount of the stolen property)
your lawyer may have the option of requesting the felony charge be reduced to a misdemeanor charge for that criminal offense. If you believe you may be convicted of the crime, your criminal defense attorney can help you seek a plea agreement in which you plead guilty to a lesser charge. Remember to discuss your actions and possible pleadings only with your own attorney, then let your attorney discuss your case with the prosecutor’s office.
Ineligible Felonies
Not all felonies are eligible to be reduced. For example:
- Sexual crimes
- Crimes against children
- Murder
- Terrorism
- Armed robbery
- Federal crimes
These are more serious crimes and generally are extremely difficult to reduce. However, your attorney can discuss with you these charges, the best defense against such accusations, and what can be done.
Regardless if it is a felony charge or a charge reduced to a misdemeanor level, you should still take the charges seriously. Even a misdemeanor conviction still means a permanent criminal record, fines, and possible jail time. All criminal charges should be discussed with an experienced and knowledgeable Florida criminal defense lawyer.
Criminal Convictions Do Not “Go Away”
A frequent urban myth is that criminal charges drop off your record and disappear after seven years. This is not true–only your credit report works like that. A criminal conviction is for life and does not “fall off your record” like those old missed credit card payments. Even if a felony charge is downgraded to a misdemeanor conviction, it is part of your criminal history. Fortunately, misdemeanors carry less of a societal stigma, but they can still cause you embarrassment or possibly loss of a housing or employment opportunity.
In some cases, you may be able to apply for sealing or expunction of the record. If you have been convicted, you may wish to discuss this option with a criminal defense attorney to see if you may qualify.
Contact Farkas & Crowley For Criminal Defense
Florida is no joke when it comes to harsh penalties for felony convictions. The Florida system of justice is not always fair and defendants may get harsher penalties than expected. That’s why it’s vital to have a skilled, experienced defense attorney on your side. At Farkas & Crowley, a West Palm Beach law firm, our criminal defense attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case, build a strong defense against the charges, and ensure that your rights are protected.
You are entitled to an attorney no matter how major or minor the charges. When you are in need, Farkas & Crowley are here for you 24/7!
If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime, and you need professional and experienced legal support, contact Farkas & Crowley by calling (561)444-9529, 24/7. You can also send us inquiries or questions by completing our online form.
