If you are arrested and convicted of a felony, you are no longer legally allowed to own a firearm in the state of Florida. Despite the Second Amendment granting gun rights to nearly every American citizen of legal age, you will lose those rights if you are convicted of a felony. If you are caught with a firearm while being a felon, you could face serious consequences. You should reach out to a Tampa felony firearm lawyer who can help with your case.
The legal team at Jeff Marshall Law understands how difficult it can be to lose one of your fundamental rights as an American. A felony conviction gives you a criminal record, which will follow you for the rest of your life. It can impact your job opportunities, your social standing, and even your personal relationships. It can even affect the way people look at you on a daily basis. The last thing you want is to further jeopardize your freedom by illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.
If you have recently been released from prison and are struggling to cope with life on the outside, you may want to reach out to a Tampa support group for former prisoners, such as the CARE Re-Entry Program or Abe Brown Ministries. Talking to someone about your concerns can be beneficial, and they may be able to help you get back on your feet in more ways than one. You won’t want to end up back inside because you are charged with more felonies.
According to information gathered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the firearm injury death rate in Florida as of 2022 was 14 per 10,000 residents. While this isn’t the highest firearm death rate in the country, it is fairly close and considered a significant number. Cases like these are why Florida law enforcement insists on enforcing certain gun laws, including felony firearm possession. If you are caught in such a situation, you should reach out to a lawyer for help.
According to Florida state law, felony possession of a firearm is strictly prohibited across the state. If you are charged with such a crime, you could be looking at second-degree felony charges, which could potentially land you in prison for an additional 15 years and force you to pay a fine of up to $10,000. There is also a mandatory three-year minimum sentence if the felon in question is found with the firearm in their possession.
When you hire a Tampa criminal defense lawyer, they should strive to devise a strong defense strategy on your behalf. Regardless of what crime you are being charged with, you should always have an effective defense strategy at the ready. Otherwise, you won’t stand a chance against the prosecution. They need to be able to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which is not always easy to accomplish. Here are some possible defense strategies against felony firearm possession:
A: There is no telling how much a felony defense attorney might cost in Florida. Every felony defense case is different. The specifics that influence each case will also determine the amount your lawyer will charge you for their services. Generally, a lawyer’s fee is determined by the complexity of your case, as well as the lawyer’s own experience and education.
A: In Florida, if you are a convicted felon who is caught in possession of a firearm, you could be looking at significant prison time. Felony firearm possession is a second-degree felony, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a fine of up to $10,000. If you are a felon who is caught with a firearm in your possession, you are looking at a mandatory three-year minimum prison sentence.
A: Yes, you will want to hire a lawyer for a felony firearm charge. If you are dealing with any type of criminal charges, you should immediately reach out to a criminal defense lawyer who can help you build a strategy to defend yourself. While you are technically allowed to move forward without a lawyer, it is highly recommended that you hire one. After all, the right lawyer can make quite a difference in your case.
A: Yes, you can carry a gun in Tampa, Florida, as the state does not require concealed carry permits. Open carry is still generally not permitted except for hunting or camping, among other exceptions. If you are a convicted felon who no longer has access to your gun rights, you cannot legally carry a gun in Tampa.
Losing your gun rights can be infuriating and embarrassing. If you are charged with such a crime, you should reach out to Jeff Marshall Law for help. Contact us to speak to a valued team member about your case.
See Related Posts: