People are often confused by the distinction between felonies and misdemeanors. Simply put, the difference lies in the severity of the penalties applicable.<\/p>\n
Criminal law in the State of Florida is usually divided into two categories: felonies and misdemeanors. There is another classification, called \u201ccommon law crimes\u201d, but those designations usually have attributes of the other two categories as well. To complicate matters, there are also different severity classes included in each category. Criminal law can absolutely be difficult to understand for those who do not deal with it daily.<\/p>\n
County courts have original jurisdiction for nearly all misdemeanor cases. Circuit courts deal with all felonies, with juvenile misdemeanors and with misdemeanors resulting from the commission of a felony (with some exceptions). This is a somewhat simplified explanation, and the system is far more complex. Therefore, hiring a competent criminal defense lawyer not only makes good sense \u2014 it is a necessity.<\/p>\n