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What to Do If You’re Facing a Felony Charge in Miami
Facing a felony charge in Miami or South Florida can be life-changing. Unlike misdemeanors, felony convictions carry severe penalties, including prison time, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record. If you’ve been charged with a felony, knowing your rights and legal options is critical to protecting your future.
At Francisco Marty Law, we fight aggressively for clients facing felony charges, ensuring they receive a strong legal defense. This guide explains the felony process in Florida, possible penalties, and the best defense strategies to fight your charges.
Understanding Felony Charges in Florida ⚖️📜
Florida law classifies crimes as either misdemeanors or felonies, with felonies being the most serious offenses.
🚨 What Makes a Crime a Felony?
✅ The crime involves serious harm, violence, or large-scale financial loss.
✅ The penalties include more than one year in prison.
✅ The charge involves repeat offenses or aggravated circumstances.
📌 Unlike misdemeanors, felonies have long-term consequences, including difficulty finding employment, losing civil rights, and potential deportation for non-citizens.
Types of Felony Crimes in Miami 🚔🔎
Felonies in Florida are classified into five categories, each carrying different penalties.
Capital Felony (Most Severe) 🔴
- Examples: First-degree murder, treason
- Penalty: Death sentence or life in prison without parole
Life Felony 🔴
- Examples: Armed sexual battery, kidnapping with bodily harm
- Penalty: Life in prison, up to $15,000 in fines
First-Degree Felony 🔵
- Examples: Drug trafficking, aggravated battery, burglary with a weapon
- Penalty: Up to 30 years in prison and $10,000 in fines
Second-Degree Felony 🟠
- Examples: DUI manslaughter, aggravated assault, child abuse
- Penalty: Up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines
Third-Degree Felony (Least Severe Felony) 🟡
- Examples: Grand theft, carrying a concealed firearm without a permit
- Penalty: Up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 in fines
📌 The severity of your felony charge will impact sentencing, plea negotiations, and available defense strategies.
What to Do If You’ve Been Arrested for a Felony in Miami 🚨👮
If you are facing felony charges, follow these steps to protect yourself and strengthen your defense:
✅ Remain Silent: Anything you say can be used against you.
✅ Do Not Talk to Police Without a Lawyer: Invoke your right to an attorney.
✅ Avoid Posting on Social Media: Prosecutors can use your posts as evidence.
✅ Gather Evidence & Witnesses: Keep records, receipts, or video evidence related to your case.
🚨 Your best move? Call a criminal defense attorney immediately!
Defense Strategies for Felony Charges 🏛️⚖️
An experienced Miami criminal defense lawyer can develop the best strategy to fight your felony charge.
💡 Common Defense Strategies Include:
✔️ Lack of Evidence: The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—if evidence is weak, your case could be dismissed.
✔️ Illegal Search & Seizure: If police violated your Fourth Amendment rights, evidence can be thrown out.
✔️ Self-Defense: If you were defending yourself, Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law may apply.
✔️ Mistaken Identity: If witnesses or surveillance footage are unreliable, your attorney can challenge the evidence.
✔️ Plea Bargains: In some cases, reducing a felony charge to a misdemeanor may be possible.
📌 Every case is different—your lawyer will determine the best defense strategy based on the details of your situation.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Felony Conviction? ⏳⚠️
Even after serving time, a felony conviction impacts your life in many ways:
🚫 Employment Restrictions – Many employers won’t hire someone with a felony.
🚫 Loss of Voting Rights – In Florida, felons must apply to regain voting rights.
🚫 Gun Ownership Ban – Convicted felons cannot legally own firearms.
🚫 Immigration Consequences – Non-citizens may face deportation.
📌 Avoiding a felony conviction is crucial—an experienced criminal lawyer can help minimize the damage.
Felony charges aren’t just another legal problem—they can impact your freedom, future, and reputation. Having an experienced Miami felony defense lawyer on your side can make all the difference.
✅ We Investigate Your Case Thoroughly – Finding flaws in the prosecution’s evidence.
✅ We Negotiate for Lower Charges – Sometimes a felony can be reduced to a misdemeanor.
✅ We Fight for Your Rights in Court – Providing a strong, aggressive defense.
🚨 Facing a felony charge? Don’t wait—your defense starts NOW!
👉 Contact Francisco Marty today for a free consultation and let’s fight your case together.
