Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyer

Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’re facing criminal charges, you can’t afford to put off hiring a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer. Hiring a lawyer as early in the proceedings as possible will give you access to valuable legal advice and representation, improving your chances of obtaining a positive outcome in your case.

If you’re looking for a skilled criminal defense attorney who will give your case the attention it deserves, look no further than The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC. We are known for our client-centric strategies and treat every case as unique. If you work with us, you’ll never have to worry about your case being handed off to a less experienced attorney. You can rest a little easier knowing that your case will be taken seriously.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer

In November 2025, a total of 100 violent crimes were prosecuted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The local police also apprehended 481 people accused of committing property crimes. The most committed crime was larceny, but burglary, robbery, and aggravated assault and battery were also relatively common. The consequences for criminal charges can be severe, even in specific contexts like boating offenses.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re being accused of a misdemeanor or a felony. You need to hire a criminal defense attorney who will take your case seriously and give it the attention it deserves. Your lawyer will be able to assist you throughout the legal proceedings with everything from understanding the charges being brought against you to coming up with an effective criminal defense strategy and providing representation at the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.

Categories of Felonies in Florida

Florida has five categories of felonies. Being charged with a more serious felony will increase your penalties. Here’s what you can expect from each category of felony charge:

• Capital felonies. These are the most serious crimes. They’re punishable by death or life in prison without parole. The most common example of a capital felony is first-degree murder.
• Life felonies. These crimes carry fines of up to $15,000 and a life sentence. Examples of life felonies include the kidnapping of a child under the age of 13 or the sexual battery of a child under the age of 12.
• First-degree felonies. These felonies are punishable by up to 30 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Examples include burglary, carjacking, and aggravated battery.
• Second-degree felonies. These crimes can be punished by up to 15 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. Examples include extortion and vehicular homicide.
• Third-degree felonies. These are the least serious felony crimes. They’re punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. Examples include motor vehicle theft and aggravated stalking.

Categories of Misdemeanors in Florida

Misdemeanor offenses are less serious than felony crimes. They are divided into two categories:

• First-degree misdemeanors. These crimes are punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Examples include battery and cyberstalking.
• Second-degree misdemeanors. These crimes are the least severe of all. They’re punishable by jail time of up to 60 days and a fine of up to $500. Examples include assault, prostitution, and petty theft.

Understanding Enhanced Penalties

In some cases, penalties for either misdemeanors or felonies can be enhanced. This is often the case for repeat offenders, even for minor offenses. A second misdemeanor battery conviction may be punished as a third-degree felony, for example.

Committing offenses against vulnerable victims like the elderly or children can also lead to felony convictions for misdemeanor crimes, as can committing a crime such as assault and battery of a public servant, such as a police officer, firefighter, or EMT, while they are on duty.

If you are convicted of five or more misdemeanors, you’ll also face enhanced penalties as a habitual misdemeanor offender. The minimum penalty for any subsequent offenses will be six months in jail or residential treatment.

FAQs

How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in Florida?

How much a criminal lawyer costs in Florida depends on the specifics of your case. A straightforward case that gets resolved via a plea deal or is thrown out before trial will be relatively affordable. One that goes to trial and involves complexities requiring assistance from expert witnesses or other professionals will be more expensive. You can get a clear idea of what to expect in terms of cost by contacting a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney.

How Can I Afford a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

You can afford a criminal defense lawyer in one of several ways. If you’re short on money, the first solution is to speak with friends or family members who might be able to help. If you don’t have access to those sorts of social resources, taking out a personal loan is a good way to pay for a criminal defense lawyer.

What Are the Three Types of Defense Attorneys?

The three types of defense attorneys are public defenders, private attorneys, and contract lawyers. Public defenders are reserved for those who can’t afford to pay for a private attorney. Private attorneys are paid directly by clients. Contract lawyers are paid for by the government and operate similarly to public defenders.

What Is the Hardest Criminal Charge to Beat in Court?

The hardest criminal charges to beat in court include sex crimes against vulnerable victims due to the intense emotional responses often involved, complicated white-collar crimes that have difficult-to-understand financial evidence, and first-degree murder, typically because of difficult-to-refute evidence. Any emotionally charged or extremely technical case can present a challenge for a criminal defense lawyer.

Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyer

It doesn’t matter what criminal charges you’re facing. You need a skilled Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer on your side. You can trust the team here at The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC, to help. We have been in practice for many years, and in that time, we’ve developed a keen understanding of criminal defense laws and defended clients against all varieties of charges. We can help you, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.