Felony charges are serious business, and you should not take them lightly. The consequences of being convicted of felony charges can be catastrophic to you and your family’s lives. They can result in significant fines and prison sentences and negatively impact your life if and when you can rejoin society.
Those charged with a crime in Key West and the surrounding areas rely on the Law Offices of Richard Wunsch to help them through this tumultuous time. The felony lawyers here have compassion for what’s at stake if you’re charged with a felony. We can’t emphasize enough that hiring a lawyer is a priority if you’ve been accused of a felony. Find out how serious felony charges can be and how felony defense lawyers can help when you’ve been charged.
Felony Charges Explained
There are different classifications of felonies. The classifications represent how severe the crime is and the punishment that should accompany it. The felony categories include:
- Capital felony
- Life felony
- First-degree felony
- Second-degree felony
- Third-degree felony
You must understand the difference between a capital felony and other felonies because the punishment can be the difference between life and death. For example, If you’re convicted of a capital felony charge in Florida, the sentence is life imprisonment or death. However, a life felony results in just life imprisonment. Other felony degrees can issue penalties such as:
- First-degree felony: Maximum of 30 years in state prison
- Second-degree felony: Maximum of 15 years in state prison
- Third-degree felony: Maximum of 5 years in state prison
An experienced felony defense lawyer can determine which category your charge falls under and ensure the charge applies to the crime committed.
What Happens When You’re Charged With a Felony
Within 24 hours of your arrest, you appear before a judge. The judge will inform you of your charges and determine if you can be released on bond. However, if you’ve been charged with a capital or life felony, you can’t necessarily count on a pre-trial release.
You will appear before a judge again at a later date for your arraignment, where you will enter your plea. You can enter a not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere plea. Nolo contendere means that you are not contesting the charges. This plea allows you to plead guilty without admitting guilt of the crime. Your felony defense lawyer will be able to advise you which plea is best for your situation.
You and your felony lawyer must appear in a pre-trial proceeding and then your trial. If the jury in your trial returns with a guilty verdict, sentencing will occur either after trial or on a separate date, depending on specific circumstances.
How Felony Lawyers in Keywest, FL Can Help
If there have been misunderstandings or procedural issues when felony charges were levied against you, a lawyer for felony charges will be able to bring those to light so that your charges can either be dropped, reduced or result in a not-guilty verdict. They can collect information about your case that you might not be able to access yourself or use their experienced negotiating skills on your behalf. If you are convicted of a felony charge, a felony lawyer can also help negotiate the best sentence for your situation. That’s why consulting with a Keywest attorney as soon as you are arrested and charged should be your priority.
Don’t Wait! Get Legal Help Today with the Law Offices of Richard Wunsch
If you’ve been charged with a felony in Key West and are feeling uncertain and overwhelmed, search for a felony lawyer near me right away. The Law Offices of Richard Wunsch are available to help you navigate felony court procedures for a conclusion that’s beneficial for your situation. Our team of attorneys will protect your rights and provide solutions for your case. Don’t wait! Get a free legal consultation now.
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