Expert South Florida Defense Attorney Lawrence B. Wolk & Associates Aggressively Fights Felony and Misdemeanor Charges in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties
If you've been charged with a crime, before pleading your guilt or innocence - or making any statement to the police or prosecutors - it's in your best interest to consult a criminal defense attorney who can represent your interests, investigate the facts of your case and build a defense that will provide your best chances for a "not guilty" verdict or an acceptable plea agreement. The Fort Lauderdale-based Law Offices of Lawrence B. Wolk & Associates has successfully defended hundreds of individuals against a wide range of criminal charges for more than 20 years.
In Florida, criminal offenses are divided into two categories: felonies and misdemeanors. Generally speaking, misdemeanors are the less serious of the two, and carry lighter penalties, accordingly. That doesn't mean that a misdemeanor conviction is something you should be willing to submit to. The punishments for misdemeanors can include both jail time and significant fines, as well as mark on your criminal record, which can affect your reputation as you apply for employment, financing or other opportunities.
Misdemeanors are usually divided into two categories:
- First-degree misdemeanor can be punished by a fine up to $1,000 and up to a year in prison.
- Second-degree misdemeanor is punishable by fines up to $500 and up to 60 days jail time.
The felony label is reserved for crimes of a more severe nature. If you're accused of a felony it's imperative to have a capable attorney experienced in the broad scope of criminal defense, as the punishments are significant:
- Capital felonies are those in which a sentence can result in the convicted spending life in prison or being put to death.
- A life felony conviction means you can pay up to $15,000 in fines and spend between 40 years and life in prison.
- First-degree felony convictions result in fines up to $10,000 and 30 years of incarceration.
- Second-degree felonies have fines of up to $10,000 and 15 years in prison.
- Third-degree felonies have fines up to $5,000 and 5 years in prison.
Criminal offenses - misdemeanor or felony - represent a wide range of situations including domestic violence, assault, battery, larceny, white-collar crimes, murder, DUI, sex offenses, arson, shoplifting, drug trafficking and more.
If you stand accused of any of these or other criminal offences, contact Lawrence B. Wolk & Associates at 954-568-6900 for a free initial consultation to discuss the facts of your case. Lawrence B. Wolk & Associates stands ready to aggressively defend your reputation and your freedom in all criminal accusations.
