Misdemeanors Attorney In Brevard County, Florida

Criminal law exists in Florida to protect individuals and their private property from harm or theft. The goal of criminal law is to ensure that Floridians can work and live in a safe and healthy environment. However, in some cases, the law is not always straightforward. It can serve to incriminate individuals who may not believe that they were guilty of the charges or who wish to practice civil disobedience.

While not as serious as felony charges, Brevard County, FL, charges for a misdemeanor crime can have a critical impact on the lives of Floridians. Having criminal offenses on your record, no matter how small, can affect your reputation and ability to pursue educational and professional opportunities.

At Chang & Pyles, our criminal defense attorneys have spent many years defending DUI misdemeanors, including first- and second-degree misdemeanors. If you already have a misdemeanor conviction, a defense lawyer from our firm can speak with you about your case details and help you come up with a plan to get your penalties reduced.

Examples of Florida Misdemeanors

Understanding what a Florida misdemeanor looks like in both the first and second degree can help an individual have a better understanding of the severity of the crime. It also helps them know what kind of defense to mount to get the charges dropped or the associated penalties minimized.

In Florida, individuals can get a misdemeanor charge for:

• Shoplifting
• Petty theft
• Drunk driving
• Being indecently exposed
• Committing minor assault or battery offenses

First-Degree Misdemeanors

A first-degree misdemeanor example of theft would be stealing property that is worth less than $100. Reckless driving, or driving with carelessness and disregard for other drivers, is also considered to be a first-degree misdemeanor. Additionally, possessing small amounts of marijuana and trespassing onto private property can result in a first-degree misdemeanor charge.

Second-Degree Misdemeanors

Receiving a second-degree misdemeanor, the more minor of the two degrees, can be even more common. Many individuals who get charged with this type of misdemeanor do not even know that they are committing a crime at the time of their arrest.

Resisting any form of arrest without using any violence can be considered a second-degree misdemeanor. Disorderly conduct is also usually charged at this level, though it can be more of a nuanced crime to judge. Additionally, loitering around an area or causing mild property damage can be a second-degree misdemeanor as well.

Many individuals who are charged with first- or second-degree misdemeanors have never been charged with a crime before, and they are often unfamiliar with the criminal justice system. They might even be surprised that they were arrested. In such cases, it’s important to hire an experienced Florida criminal defense lawyer.

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