First Time Offenders
St. Petersburg Attorney for First Time Offenders
Many of the clients that the Morris Law Firm represents are first time offenders who have no prior record. If you have never been arrested or charged with a crime in the greater Tampa Bay area including St. Petersburg or Clearwater in Pinellas County, Brandenton in Manatee County, Sarasota in Sarasota County or any of the surrounding counties, then we understand the consequences both direct and indirect that can occur after an arrest.
We know that this is a very stressful and uncomfortable situation. Individuals lose a lot of sleep, wondering what the criminal justice system has in store for them. Keep in mind that your lack of a criminal record can work to your advantage.
The Morris Law Firm has handled numerous cases for First Time Offenders in St. Petersburg and Clearwater in Pinellas County and the surrounding counties throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. The majority of the cases result in dismissals, reduction in charges, or pre-trial diversion. Of course, this depends on the nature and circumstance of your criminal offense and the number of offenses for which you are charged.
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You have a very narrow window of time between when you are arrested and when the State Attorney's office makes a decision to file a criminal charge against you. Hiring an attorney immediately to negotiate on your behalf gives you the best chance of avoiding criminal charges.
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Early Intervention is the Key
The Morris Law Firm has been successful in meeting with prosecutors prior to the formal filing of the charges. It is extremely important to hire the Morris Law Firm as early as possible, so we can intervene and convince the prosecution that your offense is a one-time event, and present evidence on your behalf. Without early intervention, the prosecution will likely file the charges for which you were arrested by the police.
Pre-trial Intervention
This is a program run by the local state attorney's office. The Morris Law Firm is extremely effective in getting their clients enrolled in the pre-trial intervention or pre-trial diversion program. The programs vary from county to county. They are only available to first time offenders.
Keep in mind, the programs are usually only offered in misdemeanor and in simple non-violent third degree felony cases. A person offered pre-trial intervention/diversion will enroll in the program and complete certain conditions (i.e., community service hours, drug testing, an anger management class, or payment of restitution) depending on the offense. When you complete the program successfully, the State of Florida will dismiss all of the charges against you. If you are eligible our criminal defense attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida can help you then help you seal or expunge your criminal record, so public records or a background check will not reflect that you were ever arrested.
Plea Bargaining
Your clean record will serve you well when the Morris Law Firm negotiates on your behalf to receive a Withhold of Adjudication (meaning that there is no formal conviction of guilt on your criminal record). It is imperative to receive a Withhold of Adjudication for two reasons:
- First, if you are charged with a felony offense it will prevents you from being a convicted felon and losing the majority of your civil liberties (such as being able to own a firearm).
- Second, a withhold of adjudication may entitle you to seal your criminal record after your case is closed.
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Reduction or Dismissal of Charges, Sealing or Expungment of Records, Alternative Sentencing
First Time DUI
If you have been arrested for a DUI for the first time in Florida, you need to know that the potential consequences can have a significant effect on your life. At the Morris Law Firm, we will put together a strategy to fight your first DUI case aimed at giving you the best possibility of avoiding a DUI conviction.
A First Time DUI arrest is often a Florida local or tourist introduction to the criminal justice system. It is imaginable that for a First Time DUI the experience is perplexing, it is also understandable that many people simply give up hoping that if they plead guilty to drunk driving their problems will go away sooner. Numerous individuals try to handle matters on their own, but it is difficult to avoid a conviction without help from an experienced St. Petersburg DUI attorney.
Act now to get the Morris Law Firm on your side. We strive for dismissed or reduced DUI charges; submit you case details in or online form or call us today at (727) 388-4736 for your free initial consultation.
Read more on defending DUI Charges.
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First Time Theft, Fraud and Shoplifting
If you have been arrested for a theft, fraud or shoplifting crime in Florida, even as a first time offender, it is important to obtain reputable representation immediately.
If you are convicted of theft, fraud or shoplifting, the record will be considered a “crime of dishonesty” which can be used against you on background checks, if you testify in court, or apply for a job. Even as a first-time offender committing petty theft, you will still have this mark on your record.
At the Morris Law Firm we find solutions to aggressively resolve First Time Theft, Fraud and Shoplifting efficiently by using feasible strategies. Typically a first-time offender may be entitled to participate in programs in which will contribute in reduced or dismissed charges.
Read more on defending Theft & Fraud Crimes.
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First Time Misdemeanors and Felonies
If you are being charged for the first time with a misdemeanor or felony in (St. Petersburg and Clearwater in Pinellas County, Tampa in Hillsborough County, Dade City and New Port Richey in Pasco County, Bradenton in Manatee County, Bartow in Polk County and Sarasota County, Florida), contact the Morris Law Firm and let us represent and defend you.
The maximum penalties for first time offenders in Florida are as follows:
- Life Felony - life imprisonment or 40 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000.00
- 1st or 2nd Degree Felony - punishable by 30 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.00
- 3rd Degree Felony - punishable by 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.00
- 1st Degree Misdemeanor – punishable by 1 year imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000.00
- 2nd Degree Misdemeanor - punishable by 60 days imprisonment and a fine of up to $500.00
If you have been arrested or charged with a felony or misdemeanor contact the Morris Law Firm today to discuss your case. Call 727-388-4736 or submit your brief case details today for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
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First Time Drug Offenders
Drug crimes can have severe consequences for a first-time offender. The likelihood of jail time for drug crimes in St. Petersburg and surrounding areas in Florida is very likely. The minimum punishments for drug possession are punishable by 1 to 3 years imprisonment for first time offenders. Any conviction for drug offenses consist of far reaching consequences, including but not limited to:
- negatively affecting social life and reputation including employment, military, or academic status;
- prohibition from schools or recreational activities;
- ineligibility to have your record sealed; and
- mandatory two year Driver’s License suspension.
Read more on defending Drug Crimes.
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First Time Prostitution and Solicitation
A first time offender charged with prostitution or solicitation can face up to 60 days in the county jail and a $500.00 fine. Due to the deficiency of physical evidence in these cases presents a distinctive circumstance. Strong defense that highlights inconsistencies or rights violations during arrest can sometimes results in reduced charges, dismissed, or dropped.
If you have been charged with prostitution or soliciting prostitution, contact the Morris Law Firm today to discuss your case. Call 727-388-4736 today for a free initial consultation.
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Driving while License Suspended
If you are arrested for driving in the State of Florida with a license that has been cancelled, suspended or revoked, you can be subject to substantial criminal penalties for a first offense. If convicted, you will face a second degree misdemeanor charge and be subject to imprisonment for up to 60 days in the county jail, as well as a $500.00 fine.
If you have been charged with driving with a canceled, suspended or otherwise invalid license, contact an attorney at the Morris Law Firm today to discuss your case. Call 727-388-4736 today for a free initial consultation.
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Racing and Reckless Driving
The state of Florida defines reckless driving as driving with "willful or want to disregard for the safety of persons or property." A first conviction for reckless driving is punishable by up to 90 days imprisonment and a $500 fine. The penalties increase significantly if the reckless driver causes any damage to persons or property.
If you have been charge of a reckless driving charge, contact the Morris Law Firm today to discuss your case. Call us at (727) 388-4736 today or submit you case details in our online form.
Read more on defending Traffic Offenses.
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First Time Sealing or Expungment
The Morris Law Firm specializes in sealing or expunging your Florida criminal records so they don’t appear on criminal background checks.
- No office visit required.
- Flat fee for sealing or expunging your criminal record.
- Simple Process: Take the fingerprint card we send you and get fingerprinted at any local police station and; have two (2) documents we send you notarized. Send the fingerprint card and the two documents back to us and the Morris Law Firm will take care of the rest.
- Sealing or expunging your criminal record is a low cost investment in your future.
Read more on Sealing and Expunging Criminal Records.
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First Time Traffic Violations
In the State of Florida, driving is not a right, driving privileges must be earned. Driving privileges may be jeopardizing for various traffic violations and unlawful criminal offenses.
Incurring too many "violation points" is another way to lose driving privileges. General traffic infractions have assigned point values and are recorded on every occasion you are ticketed. Points stay associated to your driver's license for 3 years.
Top Point Values
The following infractions will result in six points against your license:
- Leaving the scene of an accident with damage of at least $50
- Speed violations resulting in an accident
These infractions will earn you four points:
- Driving recklessly
- Moving violations that cause an accident
- Attempting to pass a school bus that has stopped
- Exceeding the posted speed limit by 16 mph or more
- Ignoring traffic control signals or devices
Three-point infractions include:
- Minors driving during restricted hours (see note below)
- Exceeding the posted speed limit by 15 mph or less
- All other moving violations not previously mentioned
- Curfew violations
- Driving with an open container
- Violating child restraint regulations
A note on restricted driving hours for juveniles: The State of Florida law states that juveniles younger than 17 years old are prohibited to drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless they're accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older, or unless the minor is going to or from work. Motorist 17 years old are subject to the same driving restrictions from the hours of 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Top Point Maximums
Your license may be suspended if you incur the following points:
- 12 pts within a 12-month period ― thirty day suspension
- 18 pts within an 18-month period ― 3 month suspension
- 24 pts within a 36-month period ― 1 year suspension
The law is more strict with cases involving juveniles; if you accumulate only six points in a year, your license will be limited to "business purposes only" for a year. Accumulating greater than six points in that same time period will result in a 90 day extension of your license restrictions.
Points are given on the date the offense occurs. Driving out of state doesn't help, either; you'll accrue the same amount of points on your Florida license for convictions in any state or federal court.
Read more on defending Traffic Offenses.
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First Time Juvenile Offenses
For First Time Juvenile offenders, an arrest can be an incredibly frightening experience for the minor as well as the parents. Juvenile cases are unique, and having an experienced St. Petersburg juvenile lawyer who understands the nuances of juvenile law can make a big difference in your child’s future. It is advantageous to act fast to get an attorney involved in your child’s case so that an opportunity can be seized early on to either get your child’s charges dropped, or get your child in a diversion program, which if successfully completed will result in the charges being dismissed. As adults, juvenile criminal records can be sealed or expunged. However, expungement is not always necessary. Juvenile records are usually not available to the public.
Act now and contact the Morris Law Firm if your minor has be convicted of a criminal charge. Call us at (727) 388-4736 or submit brief case details in our online form for a free initial consultation.
Read more on defending Juvenile Offense cases.
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First Time Domestic Violence
If you are facing a domestic violence charge, you need experienced St. Petersburg domestic violence attorney to guide you through Florida's legal court system and to safeguard your future.
First Time offenders may be eligible for a pre-trial diversion program in which your charges could be dropped. If you are charged and convicted of felony domestic violence, you may receive a strike on your criminal record under Florida’s three strikes law. If you can establish that you acted in self-defense, the court will likely reduce or dismiss the charges. With so many major consequences hanging over your head, getting an experienced domestic violence attorney is the only logical solution. One mishap could cost the accused their freedom or even more. Contact our expert domestic violence attorney today.
Read more on defending Domestic Violence charges.
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First Time Tourist Offenders
Many people who find themselves involved in the criminal justice system have never been in trouble with the law before. Becoming a victim of Florida’s criminal legal system can be both frightening and potentially embarrassing; negatively affect your freedoms, liberties, and ability to work. Regardless of where you are from, it is imperious that you contact a knowledgeable Florida attorney to defend your constitutional rights and to obtain the best possible outcome on your behalf. Contact the Morris Law Firm if you are facing criminal charges in St. Petersburg and Clearwater in Pinellas County, Tampa in Hillsborough County, Dade City and New Port Richey in Pasco County, Bradenton in Manatee County, Bartow in Polk County and Sarasota County, Florida.
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Defending First Time Offenders
The Morris Law Firm is committed to representing persons who are facing first time criminal charges. We are dedicated to criminal defense and defending local clients in Florida as well as tourist. Our goal is to protect your constitutional rights and defend your case to obtain the lowest possible punishments. Contact Attorney Melinda Morris to get assistance with your legal needs.
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