Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors Criminal Defense in Estero, FL

Crimes are generally classified as felonies or misdemeanors. Though misdemeanors are the less serious of the two, a conviction can dramatically impair your future. Misdemeanor convictions never fall off a person’s criminal record, and the repercussions can be severe.

If you are facing misdemeanor charges, our Estero misdemeanor attorney can help. We will review the facts surrounding the alleged crime and develop a plan for obtaining the best result possible.

Examples of Misdemeanor Offenses

The penal code identifies countless misdemeanors, some of which are:

• Public drunkenness
• Petty theft
• Trespassing
• Disturbing the peace
• Domestic violence
• Drug possession
• Reckless driving
• Assault
• Battery
• DUI

In some cases, a crime might be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. These are called “wobblers,” and the prosecutor will look at the surrounding circumstances to determine how to charge the crime. Common wobblers include DUI, vandalism, brandishing a weapon, and domestic violence.

Consequences of a Misdemeanor Conviction

As with felonies, defendants who are convicted will face certain penalties. These penalties can include time in jail, as well as fines.

In general, most misdemeanors provide for less than a year of time in county jail, with many allowing a maximum of six months. This differs from felonies, where a defendant can face a year or more in state prison. Some felonies also have maximum minimums, whereas misdemeanors do not.

A defendant can also be required to pay a fine, typically up to $1,000 if convicted. Depending on the crime, a defendant could also lose his or her license.

Less immediate consequences include the difficulties of having a criminal record. A misdemeanor can come into play when seeking child custody, applying for college, or when applying for a job or an apartment.

Why You Need Legal Assistance

Fighting a criminal charge is not easy. Even though you are not facing a felony, the stakes are too high to try and represent yourself. A public defender is usually overworked and has little time to commit to a misdemeanor case.

At our firm, we use a multi-prong approach to fighting back against all criminal charges. We can thoroughly analyze the facts and the evidence the government has in support of its charges. Often, government witnesses are less credible than they first appear. There might also be conflicting physical evidence—or no physical evidence tying you to the crime at all.

Each case is unique. For some clients, getting a misdemeanor pled down to an infraction might be the best possible result. In other cases, we can take a case to a judge and jury to seek an acquittal of all charges. Bringing a solid defense takes time and legal knowledge, as well as the confidence to call a prosecutor’s bluff.

Call a Estero Misdemeanor Attorney for Free

A misdemeanor charge does not have to ruin your life. Fight back by calling our firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our misdemeanor attorneys in Estero. We can discuss your odds of success and what information you will need for a solid defense.