by Dunn Law Firm | Aug 7, 2023 | Criminal Defense
Property crimes in Florida span a range of illegal activities, including arson, trespassing, theft, and vandalism. Generally, the common principle to all the different activities is using or taking someone else’s property without their permission. Relatedly, you could have had permission, but it was revoked, and you continued to use that person’s property.
Understand that while some property crimes are only considered misdemeanors, especially for a first offense, if you are charged and convicted, even only just for paying a fine, you may have a criminal record. Be it a misdemeanor or felony, it’s best to avoid the problem in the first place.
Florida Property Crimes
Arson in Florida is a felony and involves burning property. The magnitude of the charges is proportional to the damage done, and harm done to anyone. Accidental fires are not arson unless negligence was a factor, and the fire was avoidable.
Criminal Mischief
Willful, malicious property damage or destruction is criminal mischief (also known as vandalism), including placing graffiti. Again, the severity of the charges depends on the damage; also, whether or not the perpetrator has a prior history of such acts.
Theft and Burglary
Theft is unlawful taking of someone’s property; either petit theft or grand theft, the distinction in Florida is petit theft is under $300, and grand theft is over $300. Common examples are shoplifting or writing bad checks and can be either category, depending on the amount.
Burglary involves breaking and entering, besides the theft, and, you can commit burglary without theft if your intention for entering is some other reason.
Trespassing
Trespassing occurs when someone knowingly enters a property, like land or a building, without permission of the owner, or refuses to leave after told to.
Penalties
Penalties depend on various factors, including whether the crime was a misdemeanor or a felony, which class of either type of crime, and the value of the property. Penalties include fines and jail time.
If you need assistance, please contact us at The Dunn Law Firm, 3100 Southgate Circle, Suite A, in Sarasota, 941-866-4352.
Criminal Attorney Sarasota | Florida Property Crimes
by Dunn Law Firm | Jun 8, 2023 | Criminal Defense
Have you been charged with a violent crime in Sarasota and are looking for legal representation? Adam Dunn and the Dunn Law Firm can provide you competent representation as your case moves through the court system. Here’s more information about violent crimes in Florida:
What are violent crimes?
A violent crime is any illegal act which harms or has the potential to harm a person or child. They are normally separated into misdemeanors and felonies depending on the charge. They can include:
- Resisting arrest with or without violence
- Simple or aggravated assault
- Child neglect or abuse
- Simple battery, a misdemeanor
- Battery on a police officer or other law enforcement officer
- Aggravated battery
- Felony battery (either due to prior offenses or using a deadly weapon)
- Domestic violence battery
- Residential burglary, burglary with battery, or armed burglary
- Kidnapping or false imprisonment
- Manslaughter
- Various murder charges including:
- Attempted first-degree murder
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- Felony murder
- Murder in the second degree
- Premeditated murder in the first degree, or capital murder
- Charges under Florida’s “10-20-Life” law which carry mandatory minimum sentences
What effect do these crimes have for the accused?
Charges for violent crimes not only carry harsh jail or prison penalties upon conviction, but they can also affect someone for life. They can include probation, a permanent criminal record affecting your ability to work, mandatory intervention programs, and monetary restitution to the victims.
Violent crime charges are very defendable, so you need to move quickly to secure legal representation from the Dunn Law Firm by calling us at 941-866-4352 today for a free consultation. Don’t wait, call today.
Sarasota Crimes of Violence
by Dunn Law Firm | Aug 6, 2022 | Criminal Defense
If you have been arrested or charged and convicted, there may be an opportunity to expunge your record in Florida. Expungement differs from records sealing, though the two offer some similarities.
If you successfully expunge your record for a criminal arrest you in effect no longer have a criminal record. A copy is kept by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, but not even a court order can unseal it. A sealed record, though not visible in public records, can be found with a court order in most cases.
Here are some details about expunging a criminal record in Florida:
- You only get to do this ONCE in your lifetime, so choose very carefully if you have multiple arrest records.
- You cannot expunge a criminal record which resulted in a guilty verdict. Similarly, you cannot expunge court records unless you were found not guilty.
- You cannot seal or expunge records for serious felonies including homicide, manslaughter, aggravated assault and battery, most sex crimes, robbery, burglary of a residence, and some others.
Why should you consider a records expungement? In effect the criminal record no longer exists, so you are not required to notify a prospective employer that you had a criminal record. The only exception is if you apply to serve in law enforcement, in which case you must reveal the record even if it is sealed or expunged.
If you feel you have a criminal record which is keeping you from integrating into society or getting a job you need, contact Adam Dunn and the Dunn Law Firm at 941-866-4352. We can discuss the particulars of your criminal past and help make a determination whether expungement or sealing is a viable option for you.
Florida Expungement Options | Law Firm Sarasota, FL
by Dunn Law Firm | Jun 19, 2022 | Criminal Defense
If you are facing criminal charges you might feel the most important considerations are for your upcoming case. You may also be tempted to plead to lesser charges to avoid missing time from work if you are employed. There are unfortunately some long-term consequences to consider if you believe missing time from your job is the most important issue.
You could lose your job — A conviction on a felony charge or even some misdemeanors could result in termination from your current job. Many companies and industries will not hire or retain people with criminal records. Many companies have clauses written in their employee contracts that permit them to terminate employees if they are convicted while working for those companies. Pleading guilty to lesser charges may not eliminate the risk of losing your job, especially if your company still believes you are guilty of the more serious original charges.
If you think not telling your current employer is the best option, this could also result in your termination. Failure to notify them of a conviction can be cause for termination, and some employers run background checks on their employees as part of their annual employee reviews. Your conviction could also be reported by another employee or the company could read about it in a local newspaper.
If affects your future employment — A criminal conviction will follow you around well into the future. Many companies will not hire anyone with a criminal record. Moving to another state to avoid a criminal record rarely works in today’s world of digital record keeping. The consequences of a criminal conviction can impact you for years to come.
The Dunn Law Firm in Sarasota is dedicated to your criminal defense. We promise to provide you aggressive and thorough criminal defense from minor to serious criminal charges. We can help you get charges reduced or dropped, and can assist with the process of sealing or expunging your criminal records if you are eligible, making it easier to get jobs in the future. Contact the Dunn Law Firm today at 941-866-4352 any time of day or night.
Criminal Attorney Sarasota FL
by Dunn Law Firm | May 1, 2022 | Criminal Defense, Uncategorized
If you are facing criminal charges, there is a series of steps to follow in your defense case. Following these steps can help you prepare for your case and educate yourself with information related to the decisions you may have to make. Learn about the criminal defense steps by reading on.
The first step in a criminal case is the arrest or the notices, followed by the booking. If you do not respond to notices, you can be arrested and booked. Then, the first court appearance takes place with 72 hours of arrest. If you do not get bailed out during your first day in jail, you will have a first appearance in court. This appearance, also called the advisory, is where a judge can set your bond amount and advise you on the charges you are facing.
Following the advisory is the arraignment. The arraignment takes place 30 to 60 days after the first court appearance. During the arraignment, a plea is given. The three plea options are not guilty, guilty, and no contest. After a plea, formal charges can go into effect between one and 90 days after the arraignment. A discovery then happens within 30 days, followed by the potential of an early resolution or pretrial intervention. A motion to suppress can also happen before pretrial.
Following the pretrial, individuals can go through a hearing, a plea deal, depositions, a trial, and the sentencing. During these steps, you may want to work with a lawyer from the Dunn Law Firm. Contact us to work with an attorney who is dedicated to helping you defend your case. Our team at Adam Dunn Law is professional, skilled, and available to take your case. To talk to an attorney now, call us at 941-866-4352.
by Dunn Law Firm | Mar 20, 2019 | Criminal Defense
When a minor is arrested, parents and guardians are understandably concerned about what the future holds for them. Is the trial process the same one that adults go through, or are children and adolescents subject to different rules and regulations? The answer is that circumstances and specific charges are important here, but felony charges are a possibility when minors commit serious crimes.
JUVENILE JUSTICE
Many minors find themselves in juvenile court when they break the law. This court system focuses on rehabilitation so that the minors in question can grow up and avoid legal issues. This differs from adult courts, where the focus is more on punishment and protecting the public from violent or dangerous criminals. With that said, there are a few crimes that could land a minor in the adult legal system and result in felony charges under certain circumstances. These include:
- Sexual Battery
- Murder
- Carjacking
- Strong-Armed or Armed Robbery
- Aggravated Assault
- Burglary
- Aggravated Battery
- Home-Invasion Robbery
ADULT COURT
If the minor in question has committed one of the above crimes and meets a few other requirements, they could be tried in adult court. This means that they will be subject to the same laws designed to punish criminals and protect the general public that adults face. This isn’t the most common experience that most minors have, however it is a very real possibility nonetheless. And if the minor is convicted, they could face an extended prison or jail sentence.
SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL
The most important thing you can do for a loved one that is facing potential felony charges is to invest in an experienced attorney. This is especially true when the person in question is a minor that could potentially have the entire trajectory of their lives changed. Reach out to the Dunn Law Firm today at 941-866-4352 or visit our office at 49 N. East Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34237.
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