If you’ve been charged with a first-degree or second-degree misdemeanor in Seminole County, you may think the charges aren’t serious. You’d be wrong. While misdemeanors are considered less serious than felonies, you could still face stiff penalties. At Filler & Hedum Family Law Firm, Kelly Hedum and Sam Filler help you understand what you’re facing and what comes next.
Misdemeanor in Florida:
What You Need to Know
In Florida, misdemeanors are criminal offenses that are less serious than felonies but can still carry meaningful consequences. Depending on the charge, a misdemeanor may be classified as either a first-degree or second-degree offense. Penalties can include jail time, probation, fines, community service, driver’s license consequences, and court-ordered programs.
Many people are surprised to learn that a misdemeanor conviction can create a lasting criminal record. That record may affect employment opportunities, housing applications, professional licensing, and other important aspects of your future. Taking a misdemeanor charge seriously from the beginning can make a significant difference in how your case moves forward.
What Are the Degrees of Misdemeanors in Florida?
These are the most serious misdemeanor crimes in Florida. First-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to 1 year in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
First-degree misdemeanors may include:
- Animal cruelty
- Criminal mischief (damages over $200)
- Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Indecent exposure
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Reckless driving
- Resisting arrest (without violence)
- Prostitution
- Soliciting
- Stalking
- Vandalism
These are the least serious misdemeanor crimes in Florida. Second-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to 60 days in jail and fines of up to $500.
Second-degree misdemeanors may include:
- Disorderly conduct or intoxication
- Driving with an expired tag
- Driving with a suspended license
- Making harassing phone calls
- Petty theft (also called petit theft, between $100-$300 in value)
- Simple assault
- Simple trespass
Any crime declared by Florida Statute 775.081 to be a misdemeanor without specifying the degree is considered a second-degree misdemeanor.
How We Help With Misdemeanor Cases in Oviedo
When you hire Filler & Hedum, you work directly with Kelly Hedum and Sam Filler from day one. We carefully review arrest reports, body camera footage, witness statements, and the evidence supporting the charge. Sam’s background as a former prosecutor and Kelly’s experience as a retired Detective Sergeant are particularly valuable in identifying weaknesses in the case and making informed decisions. Whether you face a DUI, theft, or another misdemeanor, you receive a defense strategy and plan of attack specifically tailored to your circumstances.
FAQs
How Long Does the State Have to Prosecute Me for a Misdemeanor?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for misdemeanors (the time the state has to pursue criminal prosecution) begins when the crime is committed and lasts 1 to 2 years.
What Other Concerns Do I Face in a Misdemeanor?
If you’re found guilty of committing a misdemeanor, you will have a criminal record. That means you may find it challenging to find a job, find a place to live, and enjoy the freedoms to which you’re accustomed.
That’s why finding the right misdemeanor attorneys in Seminole County or Orange County to represent you is so important. The attorneys at the Filler & Hedum Law Office in Longwood, Seminole County, will vigorously defend your rights. Attorney Samuel Filler, a former Florida prosecutor, has 20 years of legal experience. His partner, attorney Kelly Hedum, is a former Detective Sergeant with 12 years of law experience. They are committed to easing your anxieties, developing a specific action plan, and supporting you through every step.
Filler & Hedum:
There When You Need ‘Em!
To learn more about your legal rights in a misdemeanor case, call Filler & Hedum today for a free consultation. We’ll sit with you, answer all of your questions, outline a specific plan of attack that we will use for your defense, and explain all costs and fees associated with your defense. It is your life. There are no games, no secrets, no surprises with Filler & Hedum Family Law Firm: just complete truth, commitment, and legal expertise.
