If you are facing criminal charges, you probably want to put them behind you as soon as possible. Many of our clients just want to move forward with life, and we completely understand that.
If you are wondering when your criminal case process will come to an end, you are not alone. Your criminal defense attorney should always be focused on your case outcome as well.
However, remember that circumstances over the course of your case can change or take time to develop. You should speak with an experienced defense attorney if you have questions about your case’s end date, but often there are details to determine and decisions to be made before a case can wrap up.
You could get free legal advice from The Law Office of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A. about your case. Call the Tampa office at (813) 229-5353 or fill out and submit your online case form to set up an initial consultation today.
What Is the Average Life Span of a Florida Criminal Case?
Knowing the exact time a case will take from start to finish may seem simple, but often it is not. Each and every individual case has many factors that may be totally unique and can even change the end result, as well as the end date.
It is difficult to say an ‘average’ time for a case because your options may also change as time goes on and situations may arise. For a lawyer to even estimate how long your defense case may take, they will likely need to know more information about you and your charge(s).
This is one of the reasons why we offer free consultations–so we can provide valuable guidance that will help you make the best decision for you. If you have been charged with or accused of a crime, please call (813) 229-5353 or send us an online contact form, located here.
Misdemeanor Versus Felony Charges
Florida law recognizes two categories for nearly all criminal charges: misdemeanors and felonies. Felony offenses are considered more serious than misdemeanors and can result in more severe sentences.
Specifically, the maximum penalties that a defendant can face for a misdemeanor crime is different than for a felony crime. The most incarceration time that can be received for a misdemeanor conviction in Florida is one year, and the maximum fine possible is $1,000.
On the other hand–depending on the felony you may be facing–some could be punishable by death or life in prison, with a possible fine of up to $15,000. As you can see, felony charges can have consequences that are on a higher scale than misdemeanor charges.
With felony cases being more high stakes than misdemeanor cases and often more complicated, they are likelier to last longer. For instance, any given felony case could take about 180 days or so before concluding, whereas a misdemeanor may take about 90 days.
Of course, there is no ‘magic number’ for the time a case will take because just about every criminal case is unique in its own way. Sometimes additional time may be needed if there are special or unforeseen circumstances that come into play.
Case Stages and Court Procedures Take Time
Although most criminal cases result in a plea bargain with the State of Florida, some do end in a trial and maybe sentencing, depending on the verdict. It is hard to determine exactly when and how a case will resolve, but standard procedures in a criminal case can help you and your lawyer to get an idea of when it may come to an end.
For instance, court dates and events such as a defendant’s:
- first appearance,
- arraignment,
- pretrial conferences
- disposition dates, and
- trial dates
can give you some guidance on your outcome. An experienced criminal defense attorney should be able to discuss these important case points with you. Keep in mind that the specific stages mentioned above may not apply to your case.
