THE CRIMINAL PROCESS
Personal Attention from a Lawyer
Criminal Attorney David J. Sobel takes pride in the personal attention he is able to provide all of his clients during their difficult time. Every client is given Mr. Sobel's cellular phone number. It is this type of personal consideration that our clients appreciate. David Sobel understands that his clients will have issues and questions at all times of the day. When a client has an issue at 9 pm on a Saturday night, they don’t want to wait until Monday morning for an answer or advice. Mr. Sobel himself is directly available 24/7.
What Penalties are You Facing?
There are two types of crimes in Florida, Misdemeanor and Felony. They are then broken down into specific categories relating to the severity of time crime charged.
FELONY
A felony is a crime that is punishable by more than one year in state prison. All felonies are presided over by circuit court judges. Felony offense are sentenced under Florida’s Criminal Punishment Code. There are several categories of Felony offenses.
In all Felony cases, a scoresheet is created by the prosecutor. The scoresheet is the way that the court determines the sentencing range for all felony criminal cases. The score sheet is controlled and codified under the Florida Criminal Punishment Code, but is better known as “The Scoresheet.”
Third Degree Felony
A Third Degree Felony is punishable by up to 5 years in Florida state prison and a $5,000.00 fine. Some examples of a Third-degree felony are Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of Cocaine, Aggravated Assault and etc.
Second Degree Felony
A Second Degree Felony is punishable by up to 15 years in Florida state prison and a $10,000.00 fine. Some examples of a Second-degree felony are Aggravated Battery, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and etc.
First Degree Felony
A First Degree Felony is punishable by up to 30 years in Florida state prison and a $10,000.00 fine. Some examples of a First-degree felony are Trafficking in Drugs (i.e. Cocaine, Heroine, Cannabis) Home Invasion Robbery and etc.
Life Felony
A life felony is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole, or probation for the remainder of your life, and a $15,000 fine.
Capital Felony
A capital felony is punishable by death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
MISDEMEANOR
A misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by up to 364 days in the county jail and up to a $1,000.00 fine. A misdemeanor is prosecuted in county court unless the defendant is also charged with an accompanying felony offense.
Misdemeanors are categorized as either a first-degree misdemeanor or a second-degree misdemeanor.
First Degree Misdemeanor
A First Degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 364 days in the county jail and a $1,000.00 fine. Some examples of First Degree misdemeanors are Possession of Cannabis, Battery, Resisting Arrest without Violence and etc.
Second Degree Misdemeanor
A Second Degree Misdemeanor is punishable by up to 60 days in the county jail and a $500.00 fine. Some examples of a Second Degree Misdemeanor are Petit Theft under $100.00, No Valid Driver’s License and etc.
There are Lasting Consequences of a Criminal Conviction:
When you are facing a criminal charge, you need a serious criminal defense attorney. This is not the time to hire a lawyer who is a friend of a friend. You need someone who has dedicated their entire practice to criminal defense work.
A criminal conviction even to what many people consider to be minor charges can and will have a significant and brutal impact upon your life, your career, freedom, and future will suffer. If you are convicted of a felony then you will be labeled a convicted felon for the rest of your life. If the charge that you are convicted of is a drug charge, additionally your driver’s license will be suspended. In such a serious situation you need aggressive and professional representation.
David J. Sobel has dedicated his entire practice solely to criminal defense. It is so very important to hire a criminal attorney who has the knowledge and expertise in criminal defense. There are many nuisances in the law that a “true” criminal defense attorney both understands and utilizes for your defense.