There are an incredibly large number of different criminal charges that an individual could face, and even though some crimes are more serious than others, there are no instances in which being convicted of a crime is ideal. Like many states, Florida law classifies different crimes based on their severity, with minor crimes such as trespassing or shoplifting being considered misdemeanors, and more serious crimes such as homicide or rape as felonies.
Many people treat misdemeanors as less serious than felonies due to the lesser penalties associated with them, but the criminal process is the same for both types of charges, and a conviction will have consequences. You must take your legal defense as seriously in the event of a shoplifting accusation as you would in the event of a murder accusation, including providing evidence in your defense and proving your innocence.
There are many different options you may be able to use in order to prove your innocence or take action in your defense, including providing an alibi to show that you were not even at the scene of the crime and thus incapable of committing it. Forensic evidence can also be used to prove innocence. For example, if fingerprints are discovered on an item crucial to the case such as a murder weapon or a stolen piece of property, you can prove that you were not responsible by showing that the fingerprints are not yours.
In order to take full advantage of the various legal options available to you, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney. An attorney can help you gain more knowledge about the specific crimes of which you are accused and how you can use legal defenses to prove your innocence. If you have been accused of a crime in Florida, whether it is a felony accusation or a misdemeanor accusation, visit our Web page to learn how we can help you take legal action in your defense.
