Facing charges for a criminal offense is likely to be the most stressful chapter in a person’s life. Depending on the nature of the crime, a conviction can come with a steep fine, time behind bars and a loss of other freedoms. This is why it is so important to structure a comprehensive defense with the help of a criminal attorney.
If you are facing charges for DUI, a drug crime, theft or another criminal offense in Florida, then contact
Leader & Leader, PA. Attorney Michael D. Leader can evaluate your charges and aggressively fight for a positive outcome to your case. Call us today at 954-523-2020 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Until then, read on to learn about nine common crimes in Florida:
- DUI
Florida police can charge you for driving under the influence (DUI) if you are operating a vehicle (or merely in or in the vehicle with the ability to operate it) with a breath/blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher, if there is evidence that your normal faculties are impaired (even without a blood, breath or urine result) or if you are impaired by a chemical substance or a controlled substance. If you are younger than 21, then you can suffer administrative consequences and lose your license for a reading over 0.02 percent; commercial drivers can suffer consequences at a 0.04 and above. Anyone with a .05 or higher can still be charged with DUI however, the State does not get the benefit of a presumption that you are impaired without other evidence.
- Drug Crimes
In 2013, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 30 percent of all arrests involved drug crimes. Drug charges include possession, trafficking and manufacturing.
- Theft
In Florida, one theft happens every minute on average. If you use or take someone else’s property without his or her permission, then you are committing theft. Examples of theft include conversion, larceny, stealing and misappropriation. Whether the suspect faces felony or misdemeanor charges will depend on the property’s value.
- Assault
Assault involves threatening another person with physical violence, regardless of whether or not the offender intends to act upon the threat.
- Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault happens every nine minutes in Florida. This crime occurs when people use deadly weapons to threaten others – even if there is no intention to commit violence or murder. A conviction can come with at least five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
- Liquor Violations
There are many ways to violate Florida’s liquor laws. Common examples include selling liquor without a license and selling alcohol to underage people.
- Robbery
Every 22 minutes in Florida, someone commits a robbery. This crime involves deliberately using force, intimidation, violence, fear or assault to take money or property from another person.
- Burglary
Someone commits a burglary every three minutes in Florida. Burglary involves deliberately entering a building or waiting inside it for the sole purpose of committing a criminal offense such as stealing. This is a felony. Whether you face a first-, second- or third-degree charge will depend on the circumstances of the crime.
- Vandalism (Criminal Mischief)
Vandalism is a common crime among Florida’s youth, who are responsible for more than 20 percent of all incidences. This involves intentionally destroying someone else’s property. In Florida, it is generally charged as criminal mischief and can be a felony or misdemeanor depending upon the value of the damage
If Florida police have arrested you for a criminal offense, then you should take the charges seriously and contact a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. A Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney from Leader & Leader, PA can gather evidence, talk to witnesses and customize a defense based on the unique facts of your case. Call our office today at 954-523-2020 to schedule a consultation.
Source FDLE:
https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/getdoc/4e1f64ee-b81f-4064-a46a-ea557c52cc5b/CRIME-CLOCK-2013.aspx
