Going through a criminal charge can be quite intimidating; hence it’s important to get in touch with a lawyer. The criminal justice system in any country is quite complex and Kissimmee, Florida is no exception. Whether you’re an adult or a minor- Florida has strict criminal laws. So the best way is to have an experienced Kissimmee criminal lawyer by your side. However, as a Florida citizen, you have a complete right to know the legal process and how it works. Each process is important as it will determine the progress and the status of your case outcome. Whether your case is dismissed, settled outside, or goes up for a trial, you need to know how each of the outcomes will affect your life. If you’re charged with criminal offenses, make sure you have an attorney right from the beginning to get the most favorable outcome.
Crimes in Florida-
Crimes in Florida are divided into two types- felonies and misdemeanors. If you’re charged with felonies, make sure you immediately get in touch with a lawyer as felonies are punishable by death or incarceration. It is classified as the felonies of the first, second, and third-degree. On the other hand, misdemeanors are not as serious as felonies and it usually leads to one-year punishment in county jail. In this context, one should know different kinds of offenses for which you may need to face punishments. There are more than 300 crimes and some of the common ones have been listed below-
- Larceny
- Assault/Battery
- Marijuana possession/consumption
- Drunken driving
- Traffic offenses
- Domestic violence
- Drug charges
These are some of the common offenses for which you might face criminal charges. Below described is the process by which criminal law operates.
- Arrest/Sending a notice to appear– The process starts with immediate arrest depending on the case or a notice might be sent for appearing in the court. An arrest might occur if there is a sufficient reason or if there is an arrest warrant. The criminal law procedure starts within 48 hours of such an arrest. And the person who has been summoned through a legal notice needs to appear within the stipulated time. This is often done for first and second-degree misdemeanors especially if the alleged person cooperated with the law officer.
- First appearance– Once an arrest is made, the person needs to be produced before the court within 24 to 48 hours. This stage is important to ensure that the alleged person has a lawyer to defend and also to inform the amount set for bail. This is where you need a Kissimmee criminal lawyer by your side.
The process is then followed by a preliminary hearing, plea bargaining, arraignment, followed by trial and sentencing. So if you’ve been arrested or being summoned by a law enforcement officer, make sure you have a strong defense lawyer to represent you. Criminal defense lawyers at Kissimmee are the best to build a strong defense strategy for you.
