South Florida Vehicular Weapons Charges

According the FBI’s Crime Statistics, 6,908 arrests were made in Florida for weapons possession, carrying and other related offenses during 2009. ⁽¹⁾ If you or a loved one has been arrested on a weapons charge, retaining expert South Florida weapons charge attorneys will protect the rights of the accused and provide a better chance for reduced charges or a reduced sentence.

If you are arrested for illegally possessing a firearm, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on circumstances. A conviction for weapons charges in South Florida can have severe penalties. You will have to pay a fine and could face jail or prison time. If you have been arrested on a weapons charge, you need skilled South Florida weapons charge attorneys to begin protecting your legal rights as quickly as possible.

A person who has been convicted of a felony is not allowed to own a firearm in the state of Florida. If the accused has a felony conviction on his or her criminal record, and is later arrested for possession of a firearm, he or she will face a minimum prison sentence of three years, if convicted of the charge. ⁽¹⁾

South Florida weapons charge attorneys know the law and can use that knowledge to prepare the best possible defense for you. They will investigate your case and learn what evidence the prosecution has. They will also negotiate on your behalf for the best possible result, and if needed, prepare a strong defense to use at trial.

State law provides minimum mandatory sentences if a firearm was used during the commission of a crime in the state of Florida. The possible sentences include:

• Term of 10 years for illegal possession of a firearm
• Term of 20 years for illegal discharge of a firearm
• Term of life in prison if a person is wounded or injured by a firearm

These are the minimum sentences that can be imposed. A judge can choose to impose a longer sentence, up to the maximum allowed for each charge. Sentences for weapons charges are not allowed to be suspended or deferred. ⁽²⁾ In Palm Beach County, including the areas of Boca Raton, Jupiter, Wellington and West Palm Beach, weapons charge lawyers are available to protect your rights and your future, by providing you with the best legal representation possible.

The Gun Unit of the Florida State Attorney’s Office in Palm Beach works with law enforcement in Palm Beach County to enforce state weapons laws.⁽³⁾ The consequences you or a loved one may face if convicted of a weapons charge are very serious, so expert representation is critical.

The attorneys of Perlet & Shiner, P.A. represent weapons charge clients in all of South Florida, including Jupiter, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Wellington and other cities.