Misdemeanor Charges

A misdemeanor charge in Florida can result in a sentence of up to one year in jail. Misdemeanor sentences can also affect your employment, your ability to drive, and can prevent you from maintaining certain licenses. It is crucial that a Misdemeanor case be handled with extreme care and caution by an experienced lawyer. 

Examples of misdemeanor charges include, but are not limited to the following charges:

• Battery
• DUI
• Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
• Petit Theft/Shoplifting
• Disorderly Conduct
• Criminal Mischief
• Passing Worthless Bank Checks
• Possession of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 Years of Age
• Possession of Less Than 20 grams Cannabis
• Possession of Paraphernalia
• Battery
• Trespassing
• Violations of Probation

There are two main classifications of crimes in Florida, misdemeanors  and felonies.  Misdemeanors are any offenses where the Court can  sentence an individual to county jail for a period of up to one year.   There are two main categories of misdemeanor offenses:

       First Degree Misdemeanor - maximum penalty is 11 months & 29 days in the County  Jail
       Second Degree Misdemeanor - maximum penalty is sixty (60) days in the County Jail

Many misdemeanor cases may be eligible for the Misdemeanor Diversion Program, completion of which will result in a dismissal of all charges. 

Our criminal defense attorneys always to seek to avoid a conviction on our client’s record.  Our lawyers also look for ways to preserve the possibility of sealing or expunging our clients records.

You have TOO MUCH AT STAKE not to protect your legal rights.
CONTACT US TODAY to schedule your FREE consultation

POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR

A person charged with Possession of an Alcoholic Beverage by a Person Under the Age of 21 is facing a criminal offense which will appear on their criminal record.

You should know the following about Section 562.111, Florida Statutes for the charge of Possession of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 Years of Age:

• This crime is a second degree misdemeanor;
• If convicted of possession of alcohol by a person under 21, you can receive a fine of up to $500.00, which does not include expenses for court costs or prosecution fees;
• If you are convicted of possession of alcohol, the Judge can sentence you to up to 60 days in the county jail or 6 months county probation; and,

For any adjudication of guilt, the Judge is required to revoke your driver’s license for a minimum of 6 months, but is permitted to revoke your driver’s license for a maximum of 12 months.

Read the Statutes on Underage 21 Possession of Alcohol

 Florida Statute 562.111 for Possession of Alcoholic Beverages by Person Under Age 21
Florida Statute 322.056 for Driver’s License Revocation or Suspension for Under Age 21 Possession of Alcohol

Many Possession of Alcohol cases are eligible for the Misdemeanor Diversion Program.  Successful completion of the Misdemeanor Diversion Program will result in the dismissal of your charge(s). 

If you have been charged under Florida law with the criminal offense of possession of an alcoholic beverage while under the age of 21, contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Bennett, Foster & Gwartney, P.A. Our lawyers have extensive experience defending high school and college students charged under Florida law with unlawful alcohol possession.