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Fort Lauderdale Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer

A misdemeanor charge is not as serious as a felony, but it is still something you want The Law Offices of R. David Williams, P.A., to help you with.
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Misdemeanor Defense lawyer in Fort Lauderdale

Like in most U.S. states, formal criminal charges are either felonies or misdemeanors in Florida. Though there are key differences between the two, an important takeaway is that misdemeanors are less serious and carry lighter sentences. However, this does not mean you should not seek legal counsel if you have such a charge. Without competent representation, you could still face jail time, fines, and long-term consequences.

Misdemeanors do not have preliminary hearings, nor do they include jury trials. You stand before a judge and receive a sentence. The team at The Law Offices of R. David Williams, P.A., will work diligently to build an effective defense strategy to reduce your sentence, or dismiss the charges entirely.

Common Misdemeanor Offenses

Misdemeanor charges can come in many forms. They are divided into first- and second-degree crimes. The differences between the two depending on various circumstances, including prior offenses. Common misdemeanors include:

Our Fort Lauderdale misdemeanor defense lawyer will be your staunch advocate during your case. Schedule a free consultation today so that we may discuss your legal options.

Misdemeanor Penalties In Florida

A first-degree misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. You may also have to serve up to 12 months of probation.

A second-degree misdemeanor carries a punishment of as many as 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. You can also be sentenced to six months of probation. Be aware, however, that repeat misdemeanors will bring stiffer penalties. For example, although a battery charge is a misdemeanor, a second charge will be a third-degree felony. A third petty theft charge becomes a felony, as well. If you have a fifth or subsequent misdemeanor conviction, the court will consider you a habitual misdemeanor offender. You would then face the possibility of six months in jail.

Problem-solving Courts

Our Fort Lauderdale misdemeanor defense lawyer may petition to have your case qualify for a problem-solving court. This may be a part of your probation or a pretrial intervention program. A problem-solving court can include drug courts, mental health courts, and veteransโ€™ courts. This would be a possible option if your criminal behavior was a result of addiction, mental health challenges, or military service-related issues.

If you successfully complete the court while on probation, it will satisfy your sentence. However, if you do not comply with the terms of the court, you could go to jail. If you are participating in a problem-solving court pretrial, the judge will dismiss the charges when you complete the program. You may have to return to the court and continue the program longer if you fail to abide by the programโ€™s terms and conditions.

If you face charges, your best strategy is to consult our Fort Lauderdale misdemeanor defense lawyer today. Call us to schedule a free consultation.

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Call (954) 522-9997 or fill out the short form below. We will usually respond within 1 business day but often do so the same day. Donโ€™t hesitate, your questions are welcome.

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Why Choose The Law Offices of R. David Williams, P.A. ?

  • Confidential Case Assessment -ย During your confidential case assessment we will listen to the details of your case, and formulate a strategy to defend you as well as possible.
  • Highly Rated & Reviewed -ย Highly rated on Google, with a 5 star rating on respected legal site AVVO.
  • Focused Legal Practice -ย Our Attorneys have been helping individuals like you Navigate the law for over 25 years. Criminal Law is our top priority, let us make you and your case part of that focus.
  • Highly Responsive - We pride ourselves in fast response time when communicating with our clients. We will never let your questions or concerns go unaddressed.
  • Caring & Compassionate - This isnโ€™t just a Criminal Charge, this is your life. We understand that, and our dedication to our clients helps get them back to their lives as efficiently as possible.
  • Bilingual - At the Law Offices of R. David Williams, we have staff that are fluent in English and Spanish, ensuring that each client gets proper representation.
  • Straight Shooters - Your situation requires honesty from both us and yourself. We will tell you what you need to know, not necessarily what you want to hear. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can.
  • No Case Too Difficult - This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matter. We do what is necessary, even in complex cases.

  • Free Consultation โ€“ We provide free consultations, during which you can discuss the case and explore your legal options with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
  • Highly Rated โ€“ Our firm has accumulated numerous 5-star reviews on Google and the legal site Avvo.
  • Personal Attention โ€“ With a background in psychology, David Williams is uniquely positioned to help you with your legal needs while providing individualized attention and support.
  • No Case Is Too Big or Small โ€“ We handle everything from traffic tickets to grand theft, drug charges, and other major felony offenses. Regardless of the charge, you will have an advocate by your side when you choose The Law Offices of R. David Williams to represent you.
  • Tailored Representation โ€“ We donโ€™t treat clients as numbers. To us, they are unique individuals who require legal representation that is tailored to their particular case. Thus, our firm customizes services based on your circumstances and needs.

Statute Of Limitations

In Florida, as in most states, there is a statute of limitations for how long prosecutors have to file misdemeanor charges. The law states that there are two years to file charges for first-degree misdemeanors and one year for second-degree misdemeanors. If the incident that led to the charges surpasses these time limits, our Fort Lauderdale misdemeanor defense lawyer would petition the judge to dismiss the case. We will vigorously defend you and be your advocate if there are discrepancies regarding the statute of limitations, or any other component of the filing process.

Defense Options For Misdemeanors

You should not have to automatically plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge. Instead of facing the possibility of jail time and fines, discuss your options with an experienced lawyer. You can also avoid difficulties in securing employment or qualifying to carry a firearm. The Law Offices of R. David Williams will fight for your rights and for the case to be dismissed or reduced. Our Fort Lauderdale misdemeanor defense lawyer may determine that officers gathered evidence or made an arrest improperly. Call our team today to schedule a free consultation and review your defense options.
Questions or Schedule An Appointment? Click to Call (954) 522-9997

Our Core Values

Our core principles have always been a paramount attraction to our clients.

Highest Standards

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Questions or Schedule An Appointment? Click to Call (954) 522-9997

Real Clients, Real Testimonials

โ€œNot gonna lie. I was scared at first โ€“ of course w anything w laws itโ€™s very scary. But David was very professional , honest and true to his word. I felt so much better and confident that he was definitely gonna help me. And he did !! Iโ€™m truly grateful for him and his staff- his assistant Jessica is very warm and kind and is always on top of everything. Thank you guys so much!โ€

- Maria Cabrera -

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Professional Associations

Contact A Broward Criminal Attorney

Most importantly, David Williams makes it a priority to give you personalized service and attention with regard to your criminal case. Call our office at your convenience for a free consultation. We will schedule a personal consultation at your convenience with the attorney to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your criminal case in Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County. David Williams will provide you with the defense and counseling that is required to have a successful outcome for your criminal case.

David Williams prides himself on providing personal attention with regard to all aspects of your criminal or traffic matter. David Williams will provide you with a fair fee for the work required and will extend a payment plan that is suitable to your needs for your criminal matter.

Ask a Question,
Describe Your Situation,
Request a Consultation

Call (954) 522-9997 or fill out the short form below. We will usually respond within 1 business day but often do so the same day. Donโ€™t hesitate, your questions are welcome.

Main Contact Form

* Required Fields

Your Information Is Safe With Us
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.

Law Offices of R. David Williams, P.A.

15 SW 10th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315Questions or Schedule An Appointment? Click to Call (954) 522-9997

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Law Offices of R. David Williams, P.A.

Hours of Operation

Mon - Fri : 9 am - 5 pm
If you have been recently arrested or charged with any criminal offense in South Florida, you need an aggressive, experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you.

After-hours support is Now Available!

We are thrilled to introduce our after-hours answering service, which ensures prompt response to all of your queries regardless of the time. Our dedication to your satisfaction extends beyond regular business hours. Please feel free to contact us anytime; we will be more than happy to assist you.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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