Defense Attorney for Pinellas County First-Time Offenders

The criminal justice system is incredibly overwhelming, especially for first-time offenders. Not only could you be facing criminal charges, but you may face the life and career consequences of being a convict. It can be stressful and if you’re without legal representation you will be at a disadvantage.

When it comes to your future you don’t want to take any chances. If you or someone you know has been charged for the first time, it’s crucial you have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. They can examine your charges and develop a defense plan suited for your case. In addition, they can give you a crash course in the legal system, so you’re empowered and ready when you enter the courtroom.

Pinellas County First-Time Offenders

Have you been arrested for the first time? Are you overwhelmed and unsure what to do? Florida has an intricate and often complicated criminal system. You might be unfamiliar with certain legal processes such as bail, pre-filing interventions, and plea bargains, which are all essential to a case. To ensure you’re on the right track we recommend you contact Morris Law Firm, P.A..

Our attorneys at Morris Law Firm, P.A. have extensive experience with criminal defense. We treat each client with the utmost respect and care, especially if they’re first-time offenders. Our lawyers can analyze your charges and uncover any hidden legal options for you. Let us assist you today by calling (727) 388-4736 to set up your free consultation.

Morris Law Firm, P.A. accepts clients throughout the greater Pinellas County area including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Belleair and Oldsmar.

Overview of First Time Offenders in Pinellas County

• Common Crimes Committed by First-Time Offenders
• How Do I Get Bail After an Arrest?
• Pre-Filing Intervention Before Charges
• Pre-Trial Diversion Programs in Florida
• Sealing or Expunging Charges
• Additional Resources

Common Crimes Committed by First-Time Offenders

Usually, a first-time offender commits minor crimes or at the most a high-class misdemeanor. Although, some people with a clean criminal record may have just made poor choices that landed them with a felony charge. For instance, a first-time offender may drive while drunk and accidentally kill someone as a result. This means they’ll face felony charges for DUI manslaughter.

Listed below are some common crimes committed by first-time offenders in Pinellas.

• Theft;
• Shoplifting;
• Fraud;
• DUI;
• Aggravated DUI;
• Possession of a controlled substance;
• Possession of cannabis;
• Criminal trespass;
• Criminal mischief;
• Assault;
• Domestic violence;
• Driving with a suspended license;
• Reckless driving; and
• Prostitution or solicitation

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How Do I Get Bail After an Arrest?

When you’re arrested the first thing on your mind is probably how to get bail. In Florida, a bail is normally set after a person is arrested if it’s a minor misdemeanor case. However, some cases involving sexual, violent or felony-level crimes will set a bail at the defendant’s arraignment. The arraignment is a defendant’s first appearance in front of a judge where they learn their rights, enter a plea and learn if bail is established or not.

Your bond amount for bail will depend on several factors. These include your financial situation, your potential as a danger to the community, and whether you are a flight risk. You can pay for bail by posting a bond. You can either front a cash bond to leave jail on your own accord or you can hire a third-party bail bonding company to cover the expenses. In some cases, the court may release you on personal recognizance. This means you won’t have to pay anything to be released from jail.

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Pre-Filing Interventions with the State Attorney’s Office

It’s important to understand an arrest doesn’t necessarily mean your charged. A police report is technically a formal complaint alleging criminal conduct by law enforcement. Filing a complaint isn’t enough for the prosecutor to pursue charges against you. The state attorney must agree with the complaint and file criminal charges.

You can avoid criminal charges by requesting a pre-filling intervention with the prosecutor. The intervention is a meeting between you, your representation and the state attorney. This is a window of opportunity where your attorney can intervene on your behalf and attempt to sway the prosecutor into file reduced charges or dropping them entirely.

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Pre-Trial Diversion Programs for Criminal Charges

Pre-trial diversion programs exist as an alternative to incarceration for non-violent, first-time offenders. It is a type of probation that carries its own conditions you must complete. These can include reporting to your probation officer, participating in treatment, counseling and undergoing random drug testing. Successful completion of the program can result in your charges being reduced or dismissed entirely.

The court doesn’t offer pre-trial diversion programs for all offenders. You must complete the requirements listed for that program. Having an experienced attorney on your side can help you persuade the judge and state attorney to offer you a pre-trial diversion program. There are different pre-trial diversion programs that might suit your needs in Pinellas County including drug court, mental health court and veteran’s court. All of these have their own boards, regulations and qualifications.

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Plea Bargains

In some cases, the state attorney will refuse to dismiss or drop your charges entirely. The next best alternative then is to negotiate with the trial division prosecutor. You, your attorney and the state attorney can meet to discuss your case and the possibility of reducing your penalties as a result.

It’s incredibly important you have an attorney on your side during this process. Your attorney can emphasize your lack of criminal history, the situation around the offense and convince the state attorney that the punishment doesn’t meet the crime. They can also attempt to persuade the prosecutor to withhold your adjudication rather than convict you. If the prosecution agrees to a withhold, then you won’t be formally convicted and you can lawfully deny your conviction.

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Sealing or Expunging Your Offense in Florida

The ramifications of a criminal conviction go far past the statutory penalties. You could have issues gaining employment, housing and pursing financial aid because of your record. Thankfully, you may be able to seal or expunge your record and hide it from the public eye entirely with the right attorney.

If you seal your record, then the public won’t be able to access your charges. Although, there are some limitations to sealing your case. Certain employment industries such as licensing agencies will still be able to find your charges. It can also be used against you as a mitigating factor in court if you’re charged with a crime in the future.

Expunging your record erases your criminal history entirely. The record itself will be destroyed and only very specific government agencies can locate them. However, the requirements for expungement are incredibly restrictive. You can only expunge a case if it’s been dismissed, no formal charges were filed, or they were dropped entirely.

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Additional Resources

Prison Policy Initiative – Visit the official website for the Prison Policy Initiative, a non-profit and non-partisan organization committed to stopping mass incarceration. Access the site to learn shocking prison statistics, read articles about prison politics and learn how to get involved.

Court Programs – Visit the official website for the Sixth Judicial Court to learn more about their court diversion programs. Access the site to see the different programs offered, their requirements, contact information and where to apply.

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Pinellas County Lawyer for First-Time Offenders in Florida

If you or someone you know has been charged with an offense for the first time, we recommend you contact an experienced attorney. The judicial system in Florida isn’t simple and you don’t want to take your chances with the statutory penalties. A great option is to reach out to the attorneys at Morris Law Firm, P.A..

We provide effective and efficient defense and legal counsel for people throughout Pinellas County. Using our resources, we will guide you through the criminal system to the best of our ability. Call us now at (727) 388-4736 to set up your first free consultation.

Morris Law Firm, P.A. accepts clients throughout the Pinellas County area including St. Petersburg, Largo, Oldsmar, and Clearwater.

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