From Your Criminal Defense Attorney, Clearwater: The Difference
between a Felony and a Misdemeanor
From
traffic offenses to DUI to theft, the difference between a
felony and a misdemeanor can be quite confusing. In Florida,
the difference between a felony and misdemeanor is typically
based on the severity of the charge; a misdemeanor is usually
deemed less serious than a felony. However, since both a misdemeanor
and a felony can result in serious penalties and a permanent
mark on your record, it’s recommended that you consult
with a criminal defense attorney for any type of accusation
against you. With offices in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and
New Port Richey, the criminal defense attorney legal team
at Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A., can help you understand
the charges you’re facing in the Tampa Bay area.
The
difference between a felony and a misdemeanor varies somewhat
from state to state. According to Florida law, a felony is
a criminal offense punishable by a Florida state prison term
of more than one year. Other felony punishments in Florida
may include supervised probation, house arrest, and large
fines. A felony committed in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New
Port Richey, Tampa, or any other part of Pinellas, Pasco,
and Hillsborough counties is usually handled by a Circuit
Court. If a misdemeanor charge arises out of a felony charge,
that misdemeanor typically would be handled by the Circuit
Court as well. Circuit Court judges are bound by the punishment
guidelines set forth by Florida law.
A
misdemeanor is a criminal offense punishable by a term of
one year or less in a county jail. A misdemeanor charge in
Pinellas, Hillsborough, or Pasco could also result in fines,
community service, driver license suspension, and supervised
probation. As long as the misdemeanor charge is not connected
to a felony charge, the misdemeanor charge will be heard in
a County courtroom. For example, a Clearwater misdemeanor
would be heard in Pinellas County court, a Tampa misdemeanor
belongs in Hillsborough County court, and a New Port Richey
misdemeanor would go to Pasco County court.
If
you do not have any experience in telling the difference between
a felony and a misdemeanor, you may view a misdemeanor as
a minor inconvenience that does not require the advice of
a criminal defense lawyer. As former prosecutors in the Tampa
Bay area, the criminal defense team at Tinny, Meyer &
Piccarreto, P.A., can assure you that both a misdemeanor and
felony charge in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties
can have lifelong consequences. A misdemeanor or felony conviction
could result in losing your current job, being denied employment
in the future, and being denied the right to own a firearm.
Whether
you are facing a felony or misdemeanor criminal charge in
Pinellas, Pasco, or Hillsborough County, your future depends
on you being fully informed of your rights and the charges
against you. To reach a criminal
defense attorney in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa,
and New Port Richey, please call our 24-hour phone number
at (727) 446-8600.
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