Facing criminal charges under any circumstances can be an unnerving experience, especially if this is your first time dealing with legal trouble of any kind. Even if you have no prior record to speak of, a single criminal conviction could have resounding effects on your personal freedom and professional prospects for years after your case ends, if not your entire life.
Fortunately, there is often a lot you can do to proactively enforce your rights and protect your best interests in this kind of situation, and an expert attorney’s guidance can be key to doing that effectively and efficiently. By working closely with a skilled Sunrise criminal defense lawyer at Rossen Law Firm, you could give yourself the best chances possible of getting a favorable outcome. We understand what is at stake in these cases, and we are prepared to fight for you.
Like most states, Florida splits almost all criminal charges into one of two main categories. Misdemeanors are less severe offenses typically punishable by no more than one year maximum of incarceration in a city or county jail, while felonies are more serious crimes that generally result in sentences of at least one year in state prison.
There are also several subcategories of criminal offenses defined under Florida Statutes §775.081, each of which corresponds to a different set of penalties a court may impose. Misdemeanor charges can be either second-degree or first-degree misdemeanors, and most felonies fall into one of three degrees. In both scenarios, the higher the numbered degree is, the less severe the offense is considered to be—third-degree felonies are not punished as harshly as second-degree felonies, and so on.
It is important to note that certain especially severe felonies may be categorized as either a life felony or a capital felony, indicating that a conviction could be punishable by life imprisonment or with the death penalty. A Rossen Law Firm criminal defense attorney in Sunrise can go into more specific detail about what a crime’s classification might mean during a confidential consultation.
Everyone charged with a crime has a right under the United States Constitution to have legal representation provided for them free of charge if they cannot afford or otherwise choose not to retain a private criminal defense lawyer. However, while public defenders play vital roles in the justice system, they usually have multiple cases on their plate at once, and often lack the time and resources to give your case the attention it deserves.
On the other hand, a Rossen Law Firm expert criminal defense lawyer in Sunrise will work tirelessly and tenaciously to build a strong and comprehensive defense strategy that is custom-tailored to your specific situation. They can also provide guidance about what to expect from each stage of criminal court proceedings, negotiate for less severe sentencing options, and even work to minimize the personal and professional fallout from a criminal charge or conviction.
There is no single best way to handle a criminal case, nor is trying to handle one by yourself ever a good idea. Given how confusing Florida state law can be and how hostile the inside of a courtroom often is for criminal defendants, having a capable and considerate defense attorney by your side can be all but essential to getting through this process without getting saddled with life-changing criminal sanctions.
With experience in the State’s Attorney’s office, Sunrise criminal defense lawyer Adam Rossen has a deep understanding of all types of criminal cases, including DUI, assault, domestic violence, federal offenses, sex crimes, and more. Our team will work with you to explore every possible avenue in your case. Your rights deserve protection— contact our office today to get started.
Rossen Law Firm