Fort Lauderdale Felony Defense Lawyers

Protecting Your Rights and Freedoms Against Serious Accusations

Felony charges are some of the most serious crimes you can face in Florida. Unlike misdemeanors, which usually come with lighter penalties and shorter jail sentences, a felony conviction can result in years—or even decades—in prison. Beyond incarceration, the impact of a felony affects many areas of your life. It can separate you from your family, ruin your ability to work, cost you a lot in fines, and take away rights many people consider normal, such as voting or owning a gun legally.

At Hager & Schwartz, P.A., we recognize how a felony case can profoundly affect individuals and their loved ones. As former state prosecutors, our Fort Lauderdale felony defense attorneys use our insider knowledge of how the state builds its case. We use this perspective to anticipate prosecution strategies and develop personalized defenses to pursue a favorable outcome—whether that involves reducing charges, negotiating alternatives to prison, or fighting for your acquittal in court.

If you or someone you love is facing felony charges in Broward County, acting quickly is critical. Contact us for a free consultation and let our proven defense team discuss how we can protect your rights and future.

What Is a Felony in Florida?

Under Florida Statute § 775.08, a felony is a criminal offense punishable by death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary. This outcome distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors, which are less serious crimes usually resulting in county jail sentences of no more than one year and smaller fines. In short, felonies represent the most serious criminal charges under Florida law, and the stakes could not be higher for those accused.

The difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is not just about the potential punishment but also the lasting effects on a person’s life. While misdemeanors might result in fines or short-term jail time, felony convictions can lead to extended imprisonment, hefty financial penalties, and additional consequences that impact a person long after their sentence.

Some common examples of felony charges in Florida include:

• Drug trafficking
• Burglary
• Aggravated battery
• Fraud
• Homicide
• Robbery
• Carjacking

Each of these offenses carries serious penalties and the risk of life-changing consequences. Learning how Florida categorizes felonies is the first step in understanding the seriousness of these charges and why having an experienced Fort Lauderdale felony defense attorney on your side is so important.

Degrees of Felonies in Florida

Not all felonies are treated equally under Florida law. The state categorizes felonies into degrees, with penalties becoming more severe depending on the seriousness of the crime. 

Understanding these classifications can help you see the seriousness of the charges you may be facing:

• First-degree felonies: These are among the most serious offenses, just below life or capital felonies. A conviction can result in decades in prison and significant fines. Common examples include burglary with assault, carjacking, and armed robbery.
• Second-degree felonies: Serious crimes with slightly lighter penalties than first-degree felonies. These often include violent or high-impact offenses such as sexual assault, aggravated battery, or manslaughter.
• Third-degree felonies: The least severe type of felony, but they still have serious consequences. Offenses include aggravated stalking, aggravated assault, or resisting arrest with violence. Even at this level, a conviction can result in years in prison and long-lasting effects.

Florida law also recognizes two additional categories:

• Capital felonies: The most extreme category of crime, punishable by death or life in prison without parole. First-degree murder is the most typical example.
• Life felonies: Offenses punishable by life imprisonment, such as kidnapping connected to human trafficking.

While each degree of felony has different sentencing guidelines, they all share one thing in common: the potential to alter your future drastically. That's why having a defense team that understands the law and prosecution tactics is crucial when facing felony charges in Fort Lauderdale.

Penalties for Felonies in Florida

Florida law enforces strict penalties for felony convictions. According to Florida Statutes § 775.082, the punishment depends on the severity of the offense, but it can all result in lengthy jail time and significant financial penalties.

The potential consequences for each degree of felony include the following:

• First-degree felony penalties: Convictions can lead to up to 30 years—or in some cases life—in prison, along with fines as high as $10,000.
• Second-degree felony penalties: These offenses carry penalties of up to 15 years in state prison and fines reaching $10,000.
• Third-degree felony penalties: Even the lowest level of felony can result in up to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.

But the punishment doesn’t end once a sentence is served. A felony conviction in Florida leaves a permanent mark that can affect every part of a person’s future. 

Some of the most damaging collateral consequences include:

• Loss of civil rights: Convicted felons often lose the ability to vote, serve on a jury, or legally possess firearms.
• Employment barriers: Many employers are reluctant to hire individuals with felony records, limiting career opportunities.
• Immigration consequences: Non-citizens convicted of felonies may face deportation or denial of residency.
• Professional licensing impacts: Teachers, healthcare professionals, financial advisors, and others risk losing or being denied the licenses they need to work.

In many ways, these lifelong consequences can be more damaging than the sentence itself. That's why it is essential to have a strong defense team that understands the immediate penalties and long-term effects a conviction can cause. We fight tirelessly, seeking to reduce or eliminate these risks and safeguard our clients' futures.

Can You Defend Against a Felony Charge?

Being charged with a felony in Florida does not automatically mean a conviction is inevitable. With a well-prepared defense, charges can be reduced, dismissed, or challenged at trial. Strong legal strategies focus on exposing weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and protecting your constitutional rights at every step.

Some of the most effective defense approaches include:

• Lack of evidence: The state must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The case may collapse if the evidence is incomplete, inconsistent, or unreliable.
• Constitutional violations: Evidence obtained through unlawful searches, coerced confessions, or violations of Miranda rights can often be suppressed, significantly weakening the prosecution’s argument.
• Mistaken identity: Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable. If you were misidentified, your attorney can present alibis, surveillance footage, or other evidence to challenge the accusation.
• Self-defense: In violent crime cases, Florida law recognizes your right to defend yourself when threatened with harm. Proving that your actions were justified can lead to reduced charges or an acquittal.

Every felony case is unique, and effective defense strategies rely on the specific facts and circumstances. That’s why having an experienced criminal defense attorney in Broward County is crucial. We thoroughly review every detail of the case—how evidence was collected, whether proper procedures were followed, and where the prosecution’s story might fall apart—to develop defenses aimed at protecting our clients’ freedom and future.

Why You Need a Fort Lauderdale Felony Lawyer

Felony cases in Broward County are pursued with relentless determination. State attorneys invest considerable time and resources into building cases aimed at securing convictions. Without the help of a skilled defense lawyer, people accused of felonies often face a significant disadvantage against the full force of the state.

That’s where our team steps in. As former prosecutors, we understand how state attorneys build their cases—their tactics, the evidence they focus on, and the weaknesses they often miss. This knowledge helps us stay ahead, anticipating the prosecution’s strategies and responding with carefully designed plans.

Our experience runs deep in Broward County courtrooms. Having spent decades practicing in this community, we understand local procedures, judges’ expectations, and how cases are typically handled at the negotiation and trial levels. This knowledge, combined with our reputation as trial-ready attorneys, enables us to represent our clients with strength from the moment charges are filed through every phase of litigation.

What makes us different is our dedication to personalized defense strategies. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we take the time to understand your unique circumstances, analyze all evidence, and create a defense tailored to your case. This commitment has helped us achieve a proven track record of positive results, including charges being reduced, cases dismissed, and acquittals.

When your future is on the line, you deserve a defense team that is assertive in the courtroom and caring when guiding you through the process. At Hager & Schwartz, P.A., we deliver exactly that.

Contact us to discuss your case with a felony defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale who is ready to fight for you.