In Florida, the most serious crimes are felonies. All felonies are punishable by prison time. The lowest degree of felony, a third-degree felony, is punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison. The highest degree of felony, a capital felony, is punishable by death.
However, the most serious felonies are considered violent felonies. Violent felonies involve allegations of harm committed upon another. Assistant State Attorneys in Miami-Dade, Broward, and all over the State of Florida, put the full weight of the law behind prosecuting violent felonies. This is because the State of Florida has an interest in protecting its citizens from violent crime. Furthermore, violent felonies typically have alleged victims, who may demand a certain sentence from the State Attorney's Office. The State Attorney's Office will represent the interests of their alleged victim with as much zeal as a good
criminal defense attorney represents their client. This means, as badly as I want to see my client acquitted of the charges, the State wants to see them convicted and sentenced to prison.
Here are some of the most serious violent felonies by degree:
THIRD-DEGREE: Punishable By 5 Years In Prison
Robbery by sudden snatch
Attempted strong-arm robbery
SECOND-DEGREE: Punishable By 15 Years In Prison
Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (LEO)
FIRST-DEGREE: Punishable By 30 Years In Prison
Armed robbery (without a firearm)
Attempted first-degree murder (without a firearm)
Carjacking (unarmed)
FIRST-DEGREE PUNISHABLE BY LIFE (1st PBL) AND LIFE: Punishable By Life In Prison
Armed robbery with a firearm
Armed burglary with a firearm
First-degree murder
Armed carjacking
Burglary with an assault or battery
Remember, this is not a comprehensive list. These are only the most common and most serious violent felony offenses prosecuted in the State of Florida.
The penalties may range from
Pretrial Intervention all the way to death by lethal injection. With the exception of the third-degree felonies, nearly all of these offenses will give the accused a sentencing range that includes minimum (although not mandatory) and maximum prison time.
Violent felonies carry some of the stiffest penalties. They can also leave you with a felony conviction that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Imagine, trying to get a job with a violent felony conviction on your record. It can literally destroy your life.
Don't take chances when charged with a violent felony. I represent clients charged with violent felonies in Miami-Dade and Broward. While I am not permitted to publish my past case results, I have been very successful in my representation of clients accused of violent felonies. You may call or email me and I will provide the details.
Call me to discuss your case or the case of a loved one.