Types of Criminal Charges in Clearwater
If you have been accused of a crime, turn to the Clearwater criminal defense lawyer of the Law Offices of Tragos, Sartes & Tragos to help you throughout the legal process. Our lawyers have extensive experience handling cases involving both misdemeanor and felony charges and will work to organize an aggressive defense on your behalf. Call (727) 441-9030 to discuss the details of your case.
Felony Charges
Facing criminal charges can be incredibly stressful and will undoubtedly affect your family life, career, and personal reputation. Felony charges are considered to be much more serious that a misdemeanor charges, and if you are convicted, the consequences are much greater than those associated with misdemeanors.
Some examples of felony crimes are:
- Murder
- Robbery
- Rape
- Kidnapping
Consequences of Felony Convictions
The consequences of a felony conviction typically include hefty fines and at least one year in jail. Unlike misdemeanors, felony convictions are placed on your criminal record, forever affecting your family, reputation, and future career options. Convicted felons can expect to face a slew of restrictions on their lives, even after they are released from prison. The ability to own a gun or firearm, for example, is often denied to people with felonies in their past.
When facing a felony charge, turn to a criminal defense attorney that you can trust to aggressively fight for your rights. An attorney will understand the impact a conviction can have on your life and will work diligently to represent your rights in court. Regardless of the crime with which you have been charged, an experienced attorney will be able to build a strong defense and force the prosecution to prove each and every part of their case.
Misdemeanors
Being arrested can be a very stressful experience. Although the officer who made the arrest may have spoken with you about the crimes you were being charged with, you may have not fully grasped the severity of the charges. Crimes have a wide range of consequences depending on the details of the case. Felony offenses are the most serious and usually result in hefty fines and a prison sentence. Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are still considered serious crimes, but do not often share the consequences of a felony offense. Misdemeanor charges most often result in large fines and up to one year in a county jail, though this is not always the case. Smaller infractions can result in fines of up to $100 and do not involve any jail time.
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, you will receive a complaint from a prosecutor or given a citation from a law enforcement official. The complaint or citation will contain a date and time that you will be required to appear in court. You will be informed of your rights, informed of the penalties that you face, and be asked whether you plan to plead guilty or not guilty during your first court date.
If you or a loved one is facing misdemeanor charges, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled lawyer has the experience to ensure that your rights are properly protected and will help guide you through the complex legal process. Although misdemeanor charges are not considered as serious as felony charges, the consequences of conviction will undoubtedly have a negative impact on all aspects of your life.