Felony Defense Attorney in Gainesville

Protecting Your Rights, Freedom, & Future

At Kinsell Law Firm, our dedicated criminal defense attorney is committed to providing exceptional legal counsel to our clients. If you or a loved one have been charged with a felony, you can trust our team to prioritize your best interest and help you understand your legal options.

With over 20 years of experience handling complex cases and a proven track record of success, our team is well-equipped to help you develop a solid defense strategy. From the start to finish of your case and trial, we work tirelessly to ensure that every client receives the personalized attention and aggressive representation they deserve.

We understand that facing a felony charge can be an overwhelming experience, which is why our skilled attorney is here to guide you through every step of the process. By leveraging our attorney’s extensive knowledge and experience in handling similar cases, we can work to help you achieve the best possible case results.

Charged with a felony offense in Gainesville. Call (352) 375-6229 to schedule a free consultation with our attorney.

Felony Classifications & Penalties in Florida

Felony charges can carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences and hefty fines. In Florida, felonies are classified into various degrees based on the crime's severity.

Florida classifies felonies into five categories: 

1. Capital felonies. These are the most serious offenses, such as first-degree murder, and are punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole.
2. Life felonies. These include offenses like selling minors into human trafficking and sexual battery against a child under age 12, punishable by life imprisonment and fines up to $15,000.
3. First-degree felonies. Examples of first-degree felonies include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, drug trafficking, and grand theft, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
4. Second-degree felonies. Offenses like possession of a firearm and extortion fall under this category and are punishable by up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
5. Third-degree felonies. These offenses include crimes like theft of a vehicle, trespassing, and aggravated stalking and are punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.

Common Defenses to Florida Felony Charges

Every case is unique; thus, every person’s defense strategy is unique and can vary based on the charges and case specifics. Some of the most common defenses include:

• Self-defense. A person can use force, including deadly force, in self-defense if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death, great bodily harm, or the commission of a forcible felony. 
• Alibi. An alibi defense is based on proving that the accused was not present at the scene of the crime when it occurred. Providing evidence such as witness testimony, surveillance footage, or time-stamped records can help establish an alibi and potentially result in the dismissal of charges.
• Insanity plea. The insanity defense is based on the claim that the defendant was suffering from a mental disorder or defect at the time of the offense, which prevented them from understanding the consequences of their actions or distinguishing right from wrong. The defendant must prove that they were legally insane at the time of the crime.
• Duress. A defendant can claim duress if they were forced to commit a crime under the threat of physical harm or death. To use this defense, the defendant must show that they had a reasonable fear of immediate harm and that there was no reasonable opportunity for escape.

Experienced Gainesville Criminal Defense Attorney 

When you choose Kinsell Law Firm, you can expect a tailored legal strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Our criminal defense lawyer is dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for your future, so you can focus on rebuilding your life after a felony charge. Let us be your staunchest advocate in the pursuit of justice.

Contact our Gainesville felony offense attorney today.