Classification of Crimes in Florida
All crimes in Florida are classified into felonies and misdemeanors, here is a basic breakdown of them with their punishments and/or fines.
A felony is the most serious crime, punishable by death or by more than one year in prison. Depending on the nature of the alleged crime, a felony may be governed by federal law and tried in the federal court, or governed by a state law and tried in a state court. The types of felony crimes can be divided into crimes which, by act or intent, are violent or non-violent in nature. Felony crimes which are usually non-violent in nature are white collar crimes, such as tax evasion, embezzlement, identity theft and bribery, drug offenses, such as drug possession or conspiracy to distribute drugs, and other offenses, such as fraud, forgery, burglary or larceny. Violent felony crimes are murder, rape, manslaughter, sexual assault, armed robbery, and other acts which inflict bodily injury.
A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by a prison sentence of one year or less. Misdemeanors include such offenses as disorderly intoxication, battery, theft of property valued less than a specific amount in a statute, and trespassing.
Felonies and misdemeanors are divided by several degrees of severity, which stipulate different levels of punishment, such as terms of imprisonment and/or fines:
- Capital Felony: death or life imprisonment with no parole
- Life Felony: life imprisonment and a fine not exceeding $15,000
- Felony in the First Degree: up to 30 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $10,000
- Felony in the Second Degree: up to 15 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $10,000
- Felony in the Third Degree: up to 5 years in prison and a fine not exceeding $5,000
- Misdemeanor in the First Degree: up to 1 year in prison and a fine not exceeding $1,000
- Misdemeanor in the Second Degree: up to 60 days in prison and a fine not exceeding $500
The amount of the fine might be higher if the fine is specifically authorized by a statute.
Some of the examples of the felonies and misdemeanors divided by degrees are:
- Capital Felony: restricted to murder cases
- Life Felony: Engaging in continuing criminal enterprise
- Felony in the First Degree: DUI Manslaughter/Leaving the Scene
- Felony in the Second Degree: DUI Manslaughter
- Felony in the Third Degree: Commercial bribery
- Misdemeanor in the First Degree: Hazing which creates a substantial risk of physical injury or death
- Misdemeanor in the Second Degree: Smoking in the elevator
Aside from felonies and misdemeanors, there are also noncriminal violations, which are the least serious offenses, do not constitute a crime, and are punishable by fine, forfeiture or civil remedy. The examples of noncriminal violations are things like parking violations.
I am local accident attorney Jeffrey Meldon and I strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of and/or recovery from a serious accident. My office and I take pride in our work, and the results we get for our clients.
Meldon Law is a regional law firm that is located in Gainesville, Florida. We are personal injury attorneys, litigators and trial attorneys that have been working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 40 years throughout North Florida and all over Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, motorcycle, ATVs, bicycle, pedestrian accidents, and dog bites, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and criminal defense are all included in our practice.
For more information on how we can help you, or with any other question you may have, feel free to contact our office at 800-373-8000.
