Capital Crime

Capital crimes are felonies that are punishable by life in prison or the death penalty. In Florida, those crimes include first-degree murder, felony murder, capital sexual battery and capital drug trafficking. At this writing, more than 400 people are awaiting execution on Death Row in the Florida State Prison in Starke. Only California has more inmates awaiting execution.

The Florida Supreme Court requires that an attorney who represents a client charged with first degree murder must be “capital qualified.” This means that the attorney must have specific qualifications and meet certain requirements.

He must have at least 5 years of criminal trial experience and prior experience as the lead counsel in at least 9 serious and complex trials, including at least 3 murder cases. He must meet a set of education requirements, including at least 12 hours of continuing education devoted to the defense of capital cases. He must be familiar with the use of expert witnesses such as psychiatrists, and forensic evidence like DNA. He must have tried at least two capital punishment cases to completion before a jury as co-counsel. The Florida Legislature and the Florida Courts have established these extraordinary requirements for attorneys in these cases because a person’s life depends on the outcome.

Many lawyers advertise themselves as “death penalty lawyers,” or claim that they specialize in capital cases, but only a small percentage of Florida lawyers actually meet the requirements of the American Bar Association and the Florida Guidelines surrounding capital crimes. Jerome Stone is one of those few.

If you have been accused of a capital crime, please contact our office for a free case consultation. The attorneys at Stone & Capobianco specialize in all types of Criminal Defense law including aggravated assault, aggravated Battery, disorderly conduct, DUI/DWI, drug Crimes, manslaughter, murder and theft crimes. If you have any questions, please contact our firm today.

Florida DUI\DWI Attorney

According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 55,762 DUI tickets issued in Florida in 2011, and 33625 of them resulted in convictions. If you are charged with DUI, you will need an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney who knows how to represent clients charged with misdemeanor or felony DUI.

At Stone & Capobianco, we have extensive experience representing all drivers, including adults, juveniles and commercial drivers. We offer legal assistance with these offenses:

  • First DWI
  • Second DWI
  • Third DWI
  • Juvenile or Underage DWI
  • Felony DWI Charges

If you are convicted of any of these offenses, the fines and penalties can be costly and substantial, with long-term impact. For example, for only a first offense, the fine is at least $250 and can be as high as $500. The penalties can include community service, probation, DUI school, loss of your driver license, or even imprisonment. In addition, your automobile insurance premium will likely be increased – and a conviction will stay on your Florida driving record for 75 years.

The penalties become progressively heavier in the event of a second or third offense, or if another person is injured or killed as a result of a DUI accident. But Florida law imposes such serious penalties because drinking and driving causes accidents, injuries and deaths every day. We encourage people to drink responsibly, and not to drink and drive, but to use designated drivers or take taxi cabs when they drink in public.

If you have been charged with DUI/DWI, please contact our office for a free case consultation. The attorneys at Stone & Capobianco specialize in all types of Criminal Defense law including aggravated assault, aggravated Battery, disorderly conduct, DUI/DWI, drug crimes, manslaughter, murder and theft crimes. If you have any questions, please contact our firm today.

Felonies

If you or someone you love has been arrested, or you even think an arrest is possible, get the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney may be able to work with the police and public defender’s office to have charges reduced. Then, he or she will fight for your rights through every stage of the process, including:

  • Negotiating a plea deal when appropriate
  • Arguing for bail
  • Challenging evidence
  • Investigating your case
  • Arguing your case
  • And, if you are found guilty:
  • Presenting mitigating factors for a lighter sentence
  • Appealing your case
  • Representing you at parole hearings

Understanding felonies

Whether a crime is categorized as a felony or a misdemeanor depends on the seriousness of the charge and the maximum punishment for the crime. Felony charges are reserved for society’s most serious crimes, including:

  • Aggravated Assault
  • DWI, third offense
  • Burglary
  • Arson
  • Drug trafficking
  • Rape
  • Manslaughter and murder

Crimes that run afoul of federal laws are nearly always considered felonies. They include:

  • Kidnapping across state lines
  • Selling illegal drugs across states lines
  • Civil rights violations
  • Mail fraud

The consequences for being convicted of a felony are very serious. You may have to pay a steep fine and serve significant time in state or federal prison. The Law Offices of Stone & Capobianco will fight for your rights throughout the whole process, call us today @772-781-HELP (4357).

Protect Yourself and Your Criminal Record Against a Misdemeanor Conviction

Although a misdemeanor is a lesser offense then a felony, a conviction may still have serious consequences. The criminal penalties that may be imposed may include imprisonment in county jail, community service, fines, restitution, alcohol or drug counseling, driver’s license suspension, and probation.

Although a jail sentence may be avoided in some cases through probation and/or community service or other alternative sentencing, there are some cases where a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment may be imposed. There are also situations where a misdemeanor offense may be charged as a felony due to the use of a weapon or the fact that the defendant is a multiple offender, leading to time in a state correctional facility if the defendant is convicted.

Arrested for a misdemeanor?

Have you been arrested for or charged with a misdemeanor offense? You may have been arrested for DWI or may currently be under investigation for a first domestic violence offense or drug possession. Regardless of the type of misdemeanor charges you may be facing and whether this is your first run-in with the law or you have previous convictions on your record, the law offices of Stone & Capobianco will be there to assist you.

Our law firm represents clients throughout this area in the face of all types of misdemeanor and felony charges, offering the experienced representation and personalized attention that makes a difference in any criminal matter. When you work with Stone & Capobianco our primary goal will be to lessen or eliminate altogether the impact that misdemeanor charges or a conviction may have on your future. We will work to investigate your case to build a unique defense strategy that protects your constitutional rights and interests. Call our offices today @ 772-781-HELP (4357)