Tampa Misdemeanor Lawyer

While a misdemeanor might not sound so serious, it can leave you struggling to recover for years after the fact. If you’ve been arrested and want to protect your future, reach out for help from a Tampa lawyer and get your charges dropped.

When you think of prison, you probably think of felons and life sentences (or other harsh sentences). You’re likely not thinking about misdemeanors, like the one you’ve been charged with, or the effects of those charges. You know a misdemeanor can put you in jail—but it’s surely not that bad, right?

Unfortunately, a misdemeanor can leave you struggling to overcome your situation. While it’s not a felony, it’s a serious charge that will usually stay on your record for a long time, if not for life. You’ll need to fight back to see if you can get your case dropped. Sadly, that’s not easy to do alone.

That’s why you need a Tampa misdemeanor lawyer from the criminal defense law firm Hersem Law. You’ll need someone who understands the tough times you’re going through and is ready to fight for you. If you’re struggling to recover, reach out for help with your case and get answers about misdemeanors in Tampa.

Misdemeanor Penalties and Fines in Tampa

You might already understand that misdemeanors are generally less serious crimes than felonies. However, you might not know what that means for your case, and why it’s still so important to fight back, since it’s not as serious of a charge.

While misdemeanors tend to be less serious, they can still leave you struggling to recover. You’ll likely be facing thousands of dollars in fines on top of jail time and probation, for example. That means that you’ll need to pay off high fines, but you could lose your job if you’re convicted. That could mean your debts will be piling up, and that’ll make it even more difficult to recover.

As such, you’ll need to avoid a misdemeanor conviction wherever possible. In Florida, misdemeanors fall into two categories: first degree and second degree. A first-degree misdemeanor is the more serious type of offense, covering misdemeanors like DUIs or theft of property up to $300. If you’re found guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor, you could be facing up to one year in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.

Second-degree misdemeanors are relatively less serious but still important to avoid. These misdemeanors cover less severe charges like disorderly conduct or petit theft. These charges, if you’re convicted in Tampa, can cost you up to $500 in fines and up to sixty days in county jail.

Why You Need an Attorney

When you’re accused of a major crime, you’ll need help fighting back for yourself and getting your charge reduced or dropped. Unfortunately, many people neglect how important getting a defense attorney is, opting instead to defend themselves or get the help of a public defender. Unfortunately, both options can hurt your case.

Because a misdemeanor isn’t as serious, you might think that it’s better to save your money and fight back on your own. Unfortunately, you don’t have the same tools and resources that a Tampa misdemeanor attorney can provide. You’ll need evidence that shows you weren’t guilty of a misdemeanor, but that’s not easy to do without help. Your lawyer will have the tools you need to prove that your charges should be reevaluated.

Or maybe you know you shouldn’t face your misdemeanor case without help, even if a misdemeanor doesn’t seem to serious. Your idea may be to hire a public defender instead. They’re still lawyers, but you might not have to pay as much. Win-win, right?

Unfortunately, a public defender can’t provide you the same level of concern and defense that an attorney can. These defenders may have multiple cases at once, meaning their attention is stretched between you and others. You might have some trouble getting the full help you’ll need, so instead seek out help for your Tampa case from a misdemeanor lawyer.

Speak to a Misdemeanor Lawyer in Tampa

When you’ve received a misdemeanor charge, you might be thinking, “At least it’s not a felony.” Unfortunately, a misdemeanor doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily have an easier time getting your charges dropped or avoiding the consequences of your charges.

Fortunately, an attorney from Hersem Law can help you take action. You’ll need help ensuring that you’re getting all the evidence you’ll need to fight back, but that’s not easy to do. You’ll need someone on your side who will fight for you when you’re struggling to recover.

If you need help with your recovery, reach out to a Tampa misdemeanor lawyer today for a free strategy session. We’ll discuss your charges and how we’ll defend you before you sign anything. To begin, give us a call at 813-251-7291 or complete the online form below.