Felony Guide

Florida Felony

Florida Felony Classifications
Florida, like any state, has two criminal classifications: felony and misdemeanor. A felony is a crime that is punishable by more than one year imprisonment in a state prison. Generally, should a crime require less than one year imprisonment, it will be classified as a misdemeanor.

Some common felonies include: assault, battery, carjacking, homicide, incest, kidnapping, robbery, sexual battery, stalking and theft. Punishment for a felony can range between one year and death, depending on the felony and degree of the felony. Florida also classifies some crimes as a noncriminal violation. Noncriminal violations are punishable by a fine, forfeiture or civil remedy.

Florida has five degrees for felony offenses: Felony in the third degree, felony in the second degree, felony in the first degree, life felony and capital felony. A felony is classified based on the maximum penalty allowed by law should one be found guilty of the associated crime.

Felony in the Third Degree
A felony in the third degree is punishable by no more than five years imprisonment in a state prison and a fine of up to five thousand dollars. In addition, the defendant may also be ordered to pay the victim restitution as ordered by the court.

Felony in the Second Degree
A felony in the second degree is punishable by no more than fifteen years imprisonment in a state prison and a fine of up to ten thousand dollars. In addition, the defendant may also be ordered to pay the victim restitution as ordered by the court.

Felony in the First Degree
A felony in the first degree is punishable by no more than thirty years imprisonment in a state prison and a fine of up to ten thousand dollars. In addition, the defendant may also be ordered to pay the victim restitution as ordered by the court.

Life Felony
A life felony is punishable by forty years to life imprisonment in a state prison and a fine of up to fifteen thousand dollars. In addition, the defendant may also be ordered to pay the victim restitution as ordered by the court.

Capital Felony
A capital felony is punishable by death or life imprisonment with out the possibility of parole in a state prison. In addition, the defendant may also be ordered to pay the victim restitution as ordered by the court.

Expungement of a Criminal Record in Florida
An expungement takes place when a judge seals one's criminal record. This makes the record no longer public. A judge will not grant an expungement until the case has been resolved. Record expungement will often make obtaining a job easier because future employers can no longer search the expungee's past criminal record and the expungee does not have to report to future employers that he or she was convicted of a past crime. In essence, an expungement wipes a person's slate clean, allowing him or her to start over without the looming pervious record.

The court will usually allow for any records associated with criminal file to be expunged. This would include police reports, investigation reports, and other reports leading up to the conviction. The expungement will not end here, all records of the detention or correctional facility and court documents related to the case can also be expunged.

Determining Expungement Eligibility
Some felony offenses are eligible for expungement in Florida. Before a person applies for expungement, the following criteria must be met:

  1. he/she has not been found guilty of a delinquent crime as a juvenile
  2. he/she did not pled "guilty" or "no contest" to the offense to be expunged
  3. he/she has not been found guilty of a crime as an adult
The expungee will also need to pay all associated court costs and fees as have completed probation before applying for expungement. If the above criteria have not been met, then the person may not be eligible for expungement; it will be in the judge's discretion. Judges are usually very strict with these qualifications.

If a person's probation period is not completed but the sentence has been completed and all fines have been paid, many jurisdictions will allow for the defendant to file for a probation modification. A probation modification will allow a judge to determine if the defendant has displayed outstanding performance while on probation and thus merits a modification to a lesser probation period.

Crimes that Cannot be Expunged
Not all felonies can be expunged. Below is a complete list of felonies that are not eligible for expungement. If a person pleads "guilty" or "no contest" to any of the charges that are below, he/she will not be eligible for expungement or sealing:
  1. Arson
  2. Domestic Violence
  3. Child Molestation
  4. Aggravated Assault
  5. Drug Trafficking
  6. Prostitution
  7. Aggravated Battery
  8. Sexual Battery
  9. Pandering
  10. Aggravated Stalking
  11. Homicide
  12. Lewd Conduct
  13. Child Abuse
  14. Murder
  15. Robbery
  16. Child Sexual Abuse
  17. Manslaughter
  18. Carjacking
  19. Child Pornography
  20. Kidnapping
  21. Terrorism
  22. Elder Abuse
  23. Illegal Pornography
  24. Burglary

See also:
Florida Misdemeanors External link (opens in new window)
Florida Divorce External link (opens in new window)
Florida Expungement External link (opens in new window)
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is a category D felony probational?

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bobbie
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Hello everyone. If you or someone you know has a felony out of tennessee and you want relief cause you can not find a good job or someone you love. we need to stand together we are still citizens. email secondchance@yahoo.com

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second chance
Thursday, January 19, 2012


Yes we are u.s citizens but when someone gets a felony the u.s shuns them an=
d are considered an outcast. I got my first and only federal felony here in A=
rkansas and as u know a federal felony cannot be hidden or removed. I sold 7=
0 copied software CDs on blank CDs and did 4 months in federal and no priors=
not even a speeding ticket. Can't carry a concealed weapon can't do the job=
career I want, I might as well be living over in Russia.=20

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Robb
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Your email adress is no good doesn't work

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Robb
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

how do i get red of my fire arm if i have a felony without going to jail

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Friday, January 13, 2012

I spanked a cild and they charged me with child abuse but didn't do barely three months in jail it is a class d felony in tn can it be expunged and how hard will it be to get done

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adam
Thursday, January 12, 2012

how can you check to see if you are qualified to buy a pistol

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ronnie Smith
Sunday, January 8, 2012

I think its bad that a person can't find a good job because they have a. Felony charge on their record.how sre you suppose to survive and make a decent living?

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melissa curtsinger
Friday, January 6, 2012

It is hard out there put we can let it stop us,we have to keep trying and good will come.

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Ernie
Thursday, February 2, 2012

I tink its even worse when i have a felony and some of the law enforcement personel tell i got set up for it by my lawyer

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adam
Thursday, January 12, 2012

My brother at 17 stole a car with other 3 kids age 16, he was the only one charged as an adult bc he was few weeks of been 18, he is now 25 and as a family has hurt us, he has since then been turn down in every possible job and falls contantly in depression and in denial and wont or stand to go and look for proffesional help because he doesnt want to caused anymore financial burn for us, school gets denied, health care aka medicaid wont be given bc he has no job but cant get a job and we faced a constant battle emotionally and financially. Only God gives us peace, he is a great kid but for a stupid imature decicion he has turn in to a nobody for society.

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lanenayz
Friday, January 6, 2012

The system is not fare.if your rich,you get away with murder.poor,plea bargain is your best opption.p,d tell you.take the deal or your.!.!..@%$#!!after you pay sociaty for your mistakes.you still get remined of you past.its 99% imposible to erase the past.the law is quike to punish you.convict you.and forget about you.there is no programs.some paper work you can file.but the odds are not in your favor.if GOD con forgive sin.why cant mankind do the same?are we above he's law?we need a way to fix are past.nobody is perfect in this world.but we learn from are mistakes.by then its to late,and we stand alone.with no forgivinss.

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frank
Thursday, February 2, 2012

Many restaurants will hire him to work in the kitchen. Also warehouse work. If he has construction skills, he can get a job doing that or start as a helper and learn on the job. Believe it or not, hospitals will sometimes hire felons, usually for kitchen or custodian work. Sounds like he would really benefit from being treated for depression. Good luck to him and to your famiily.

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TallerThinner
Monday, January 23, 2012

Use this # 1.800.273.8255

If you or someone you know is in distress....my bro had a similar problem and is working...try UPS..landscapers post Spring job ads to start...just be honest and state it was a stupid mistake as a teen.

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RKW
Tuesday, January 17, 2012

I completely understand your situation with your brother. I am engaged to a 24 yr old with a felony charge which is very similar to what you wrote about what happened with ur brother. My fiance' was also young and made a stupid, immature mistake (NON drug

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Angie
Monday, January 16, 2012

Some one please help me. Can Con- Armed robbery be expunged after probation in MD

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Shelly
Thursday, January 5, 2012

Yes but its very hard and you have to wait 7 year to try.

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Ernie
Thursday, February 2, 2012

If a gun owner gets convicted of a felony or class A misdemeanor what does the law require be done with the guns that person legally owned prior to the conviction?

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Dale E
Thursday, January 5, 2012

tell his probation officer

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mph
Wednesday, January 18, 2012

I feel I have lawsuit's on my hands........
I'm half Comanche /Nookesack
and all the woman and brother in-law in my life are giving me hard time trying to claim stuff that I paid for all my life....

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Shannoon Hunter
Tuesday, January 3, 2012

I feel I have lawsuit's on my hands......
I'm half Comanche/Nookesack and all the woman and brother in-law in my life are giving me hard timetrying to claim stuff that I paid for all my life.....

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Shannon Hunter
Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Get a lawyer

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dale
Thursday, January 5, 2012



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Saturday, December 24, 2011

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