Misdemeanor Lawyer Melbourne, FL
Legal representation is incredibly important even when facing misdemeanor charges. As soon as the state places you under criminal investigation, seek help from a professional Florida misdemeanor lawyer. Melbourne, FL residents can find the legal support they need at Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson, PLLC. Backed by considerable litigation experience and knowledge of Florida criminal law, we provide a strong defense for clients in Melbourne and throughout Brevard County, FL. Speak with a Melbourne criminal defense attorney today. Call (321) 725-3425 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
Melbourne Misdemeanor Offenses Lawyer Serving Brevard County
Immediately after being arrested or otherwise becoming aware of criminal charges being brought against you, you should seek legal representation. Florida criminal defense attorneys can not only give you a better understanding of the charges you’re facing, but also build strong defense cases rooted in evidence, experienced practice, and legal knowledge.
Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson, PLLC serves clients across Brevard County, FL. With a unique insight into Florida’s criminal justice system, our knowledgeable legal team is prepared to challenge criminal allegations and protect your rights. We will fight to have criminal charges dropped or reduced.
Violent Crime Misdemeanor Charges in Melbourne, FL
No matter the type of charge, our lawyers are committed to pursuing the best possible result. Allegations of violent criminal offenses can be especially harmful to your reputation and future opportunities. Fortunately, our Melbourne violent crimes defense attorneys provide the support you need to defend against these accusations.
Assault and Battery
Assault involves intentional, unlawful threats to do violence to another. This becomes a chargeable offense when coupled with the apparent ability to follow through on such threats and an act that creates a fear of imminent violence. Battery occurs when someone actually and intentionally touches or strikes a person against their will or intentionally causes someone bodily harm. Both crimes qualify as misdemeanors, but can become felonies in cases involving prior criminal conviction or certain aggravating factors.
Disorderly Conduct
Florida courts consider acts that could corrupt public morals, outrage public decency, or affect others’ sense of peace and quiet to be acts of disorderly conduct. This includes brawling, fighting, and other acts that breach the peace. Prosecutors may charge this crime as a second-degree misdemeanor.
Stalking and Cyberstalking
Florida law holds individuals accountable for willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following and harassing others. Courts punish not only real-life stalking, but also digital means of stalking. Common examples of cyberstalking include stalking through electronic communications or by accessing someone’s online accounts or electronic systems without their permission.
Melbourne Misdemeanor Theft and Property Crimes Our Law Firm Handles
For theft charges defense in Melbourne, FL, depend on the Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson, PLLC law firm. We carefully examine the details of your case to plan our defense and identify weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case.
Petit Theft and Shoplifting
Theft crime charges vary depending on the value of the stolen property and other aggravating factors. Petit theft involves the theft of property valued at less than $40 from a dwelling or its unenclosed curtilage. Otherwise, theft of property worth $100 or more but less than $750 constitutes petit theft. Most shoplifting cases qualify as petit theft.
Trespassing
Generally, trespassing occurs when someone willfully enters or remains in any structure, conveyance, or other property without authorization, license, or invitation. Courts usually treat this as a misdemeanor, though charges can be elevated to a felony when the case involves aggravating factors.
Criminal Mischief
Willfully and maliciously injuring or damaging someone else’s real or personal property is grounds for criminal mischief charges. This includes graffiti and other forms of vandalism. Damages less than $1,000 qualify for misdemeanor charges.
Melbourne Misdemeanor Charges For Disorderly Conduct and Misdemeanor DUIs
Legal support is critical when facing charges for criminal intoxication. With many years of courtroom experience, our FL criminal defense lawyers are ready to guide you through every step of the legal process.
First- and Second-Degree DUI
Courts typically charge a first-time DUI as a misdemeanor. Second offenses qualify as first-degree misdemeanors if committed within five years of the first offense. Avoiding conviction is crucial because those found guilty of subsequent DUIs face elevated charges with harsher penalties.
Disorderly Intoxication
Disorderly intoxication charges apply when someone endangers the safety of another person or property while intoxicated. Prosecutors may also seek legal action when someone is drunk or drinks alcohol in public and causes a public disturbance.
Open Container and Public Drinking
Florida law forbids carrying any open container of alcohol when operating or riding in a vehicle or sitting in a parked vehicle. This includes any container from which someone could immediately consume alcohol or that has a broken seal.
Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses in Melbourne, FL
Successfully disputing any kind of traffic offense requires legal representation from an attorney who is familiar with local roads and traffic laws. Our attorneys ensure that clients across Brevard County have access to reliable legal aid.
Driving With a Suspended License
Knowingly driving while liscense suspended in Melbourne, FL constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor on the first offense and a first-degree misdemeanor on a second offense. Charges may increase on third and subsequent offenses or if the driver is a habitual offender.
Reckless Driving
State law defines reckless driving as driving with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property, or fleeing law enforcement in a vehicle. With skilled Melbourne reckless driving defense, it is possible to have charges reduced to careless driving or dismissed entirely.
Melbourne Misdemeanor Sex Offenses
Having a lawyer on your side from the start becomes especially important when facing sex crime allegations. The law firm Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson, PLLC, handles every aspect of such cases with great care. We will work hard to secure the best possible outcome.
Indecent Exposure
In Florida, it is unlawful to expose sexual organs in a vulgar or indecent manner in public, on someone else’s private premises, or when exposure can be seen from such private premises. Vulgar or indecent nudity in public also qualifies as indecent exposure. Mothers breastfeeding babies and nude individuals in places where nudity is allowed do not violate this law. A first offense is a first-degree misdemeanor crime.
Prostitution-Related Offenses
Florida outlaws several practices related to prostitution, including owning or operating businesses, receiving someone into any place, transporting, or entering any place for the purpose of prostitution. Most violations under this Florida statute are second-degree misdemeanors on the first offense and first-degree misdemeanors on the second offense. Soliciting, inducing, enticing, or procuring another to commit prostitution is a first-degree misdemeanor on the first offense.
Other Common Misdemeanor Charges in Melbourne Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Handle
Our attorneys’ background in criminal defense means they are prepared to defend against a wide range of crimes. We approach each case with the goal of achieving the best result possible.
Drug Crimes
Drug cases can become complex due to the variety of different drug-related charges possible under Florida law. For example, Florida forbids the possession of drug paraphernalia, but does not specifically define what drug paraphernalia is. Instead, the law states that it is illegal to possess drug paraphernalia with the intent of using such items for drug-related purposes, including planting, propagating, growing, packing, storing, containing, etc. This means that a wide range of items can qualify as drug paraphernalia, depending on certain circumstances.
Florida’s drug possession laws detail legal consequences according to the specific type of drug and the quantity allegedly possessed by the accused. Possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor of the first degree, but possession of a greater amount can lead to elevated charges. Hiring an experienced drug defense attorney is necessary to protect yourself from drug-related charges. When you need defense for drug charges in Melbourne, FL, choose Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson, PLLC.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is an umbrella term used to refer to various violent crimes, including battery, committed by a person against their family or household member. Conviction for domestic violence battery in Melbourne, FL requires a minimum prison term of 10 to 30 days, with higher minimum terms for subsequent offenses and offenses against minors under 16.
Victims of domestic violence and those who have reasonable cause to believe they are in imminent danger of domestic violence can file an injunction, also known as a restraining order. A violation of a domestic violence injunction in Melbourne is punishable as a first-degree misdemeanor.
Juvenile Cases
Facing criminal accusations as a minor can result in serious consequences. Minors who receive an adjudication of delinquency may have difficulty being admitted to colleges, finding job opportunities, or obtaining professional licenses. To protect your child’s future, seek professional juvenile defense in Melbourne, FL.
Misdemeanor Crimes While On Probation
Committing any new criminal offense, including misdemeanor offenses, qualifies as a violation of probation. Violations can result in jail time, revocation of your probation, and other penalties. To avoid the worst consequences, you need an experienced Melbourne probation violation defense.
Consequences if Convicted of Misdemeanor Charges in Brevard County and How a Criminal Defense Lawyer From our Law Offices Can Help
The consequences of a misdemeanor conviction depend on the severity of the crime and the accused’s criminal background. Generally, a second-degree misdemeanor conviction results in imprisonment for no more than 60 days and a fine of up to $500. First-degree misdemeanors are subject to prison terms of up to 1 year and fines of up to $1,000. Judges may also issue additional penalties, such as ordering the defendant to pay restitution fees to the victim. Misdemeanors can easily elevate to felony charges when the case involves aggravating factors or subsequent criminal convictions.
A Melbourne criminal defense attorney can help you avoid these consequences by fighting to reduce or dismiss charges. Our legal team carefully reviews each case we accept, looking for critical errors in the prosecution’s claims and gathering evidence to strengthen our defense. We also determine whether you qualify for alternatives to prosecution.
Negotiations and Pretrial Diversion Programs
Before the trial begins, our Melbourne misdemeanor attorneys advocate aggressively on your behalf. We negotiate with prosecutors and judges to ensure fair treatment and secure favorable results. In certain circumstances, misdemeanor charges do not need to proceed to trial. If you’re a first offender or otherwise have not been convicted of more than one nonviolent misdemeanor, you qualify to participate in a pretrial diversion program under Florida Statute §948.08. After completing this program, which can include fees, community service, and other requirements, your charges will be dismissed.
Criminal Record Expungement and Other Post-Conviction Relief
Misdemeanor charges stay on your criminal record permanently, even if you weren’t convicted or the charges were dismissed. The only way to remove charges from your record is through expungement. Generally, expungement is only available if you have no prior convictions and the charges were dismissed, nolle prossed, or resulted in a not-guilty verdict. Certain offenses, such as sex crimes and violent crimes, cannot be expunged. Our legal team offers Melbourne expungement assistance to help you figure out if you qualify for expungement and to guide you throughout the expungement process.
Contact a Misdemeanor Attorney Melbourne, FL, Residents Trust For a Free Consultation
Do not wait to secure legal representation to defend against misdemeanor charges. The sooner you contact Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson, PLLC, the sooner our attorneys can begin planning a strategic defense tailored to your case. We provide reliable legal services throughout Melbourne and the surrounding areas.
Are you ready to discuss how we can defend your future? If so, call (321) 725-3425 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.