"The best possible team you could have on your side! The trial knowledge, the expertise, the professionalism, relate to you on your level with respect! This firm truly cares. I wouldn't trust any other attys! They are top notch and I highly recommend them! THANK YOU MR. CHASTANG FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND HONESTY ABOUT REPRESENTATION.
Felony Defense Attorney Serving Bartow, Lakeland, and Central Florida
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Lakeland Felony Defense Lawyer - Criminal Law
Experienced Felony Defense attorney providing Criminal Law Legal Services in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, Polk County, and the greater Central Florida area.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule a Free Consultation with felony defense lawyer, Robert A. Norgard.
When you or a loved one is facing a felony charge in Florida, your life, family, livelihood, and personal freedom are hanging in the balance. Unlike a misdemeanor, a felony conviction carries a mandatory sentence in a state correctional facility, thousands of dollars in statutory fines, years of intensive supervision, and the permanent loss of basic civil rights, including your right to vote and bear arms.
The state of Florida prosecutes felony offenses with immense severity. Prosecutors routinely seek maximum penalties, utilizing extensive resources to secure a conviction. When the stakes are this high, you cannot afford general legal advice. You need a dedicated, battle-tested defense firm to intervene immediately.
If You Face Felony Charges, You Need A Board-Certified Lawyer
At the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard, located in Bartow, Florida, we provide aggressive, results-oriented felony representation throughout Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, Polk County, and the greater Central Florida region.
Florida's felony courts are highly formal and move swiftly. From the moment of an arrest or formal indictment, the state begins constructing its case. Protecting your future demands an advocate who stands on equal footing with the prosecution and knows how to break down their evidence piece by piece.
The Elite Defense Advantage: Attorney Robert A. Norgard has spent more than 40 years practicing as a criminal trial defense attorney. He has been Board-Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar since 1995 and has conducted well over 200 criminal jury trials.
Board certification is an honor held by fewer than 1% of practicing attorneys in Florida, identifying Mr. Norgard as a verified specialist in criminal trial law. We do not sugarcoat your situation or give false hope; we provide a frank, candid appraisal of your case and construct a sophisticated trial-ready defense designed to secure dismissals, suppressions of evidence, or trial acquittals.
Felony Crime Classifications
Under Florida Statutes § 775.082 and § 775.083, felonies are categorized into five distinct tiers based on severity. Each classification carries rigorous maximum prison sentences and financial penalties:
- Third-Degree Felony: Maximum State Prison Term: Up to 5 Years; Maximum Statutory Fine: Up to $5,000
- Second-Degree Felony: Maximum State Prison Term: Up to 15 Years; Maximum Statutory Fine: Up to $10,000
- First-Degree Felony: Maximum State Prison Term: Up to 30 Years (Or Life if specified); Maximum Statutory Fine: Up to $10,000
- Life Felony: Maximum State Prison Term: Life Imprisonment without Parole; Maximum Statutory Fine: Up to $15,000
- Capital Felony: Maximum State Prison Term: Death Penalty or Life without Parole; Maximum Statutory Fine: Up to $15,000
The Florida Criminal Punishment Code (CPC) Scoresheet
In addition to statutory maximums, felony sentencing in Florida is governed by the Criminal Punishment Code (CPC). Every felony offense is assigned a specific point value based on its statutory severity ranking. Prior criminal history, additional offenses, and specific multipliers (such as grand theft auto, domestic violence, or firearm possession) are calculated on an official "scoresheet."
If your total scoresheet points exceed 44 points, the judge is legally mandated to sentence you to a minimum prison term, unless your defense attorney successfully argues for a legally recognized mitigating departure reason. Navigating this complex mathematical matrix requires an expert postured in Florida sentencing law.
Our firm possesses the deep investigative resources and litigious experience necessary to defend against the full spectrum of state and federal felony offenses, including:
- Drug Crimes: Ranging from third-degree felony possession of controlled substances to high-level Felony Drug Trafficking charges, which carry mandatory minimum prison sentences based on the weight or volume of the seized substance.
- Theft and Burglary: Including Burglary of a Dwelling (a second-degree felony carrying up to 15 years), grand theft, grand theft auto, and dealing in stolen property.
- Violent Crimes: Providing strategic defense against Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Battery, armed robbery, carjacking, attempted murder, and first-degree capital murder.
- Weapons Offenses: Representing individuals facing charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm or offenses subject to Florida's severe 10-20-Life mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.
- White-Collar Crimes: Defending complex financial allegations, including organized scheme to defraud, identity theft, healthcare fraud, embezzlement, and credit card fraud.
- Sex Crimes: Handling sensitive, high-stakes felony investigations involving sexual battery and related felony offenses where a conviction mandates lifetime sex offender registration.
Defending you against Felony Crime Allegations
An arrest is not an automatic conviction. To find you guilty, the state must prove every element of the crime Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. We systematically review the state’s discovery, police bodycam footage, witness depositions, and forensic evidence to construct a powerful defense by utilizing proven tactics:
- Filing Motions to Suppress: If local law enforcement stopped your vehicle, entered your home, or searched your property in violation of the Fourth Amendment, we will fight to have that evidence thrown out of court.
- Challenging Witness Credibility: Meticulously cross-examining state witnesses and analyzing conflicting statements to highlight gaps in the prosecution's narrative.
- Negotiating Pre-Trial Dismissals: Engaging early with state attorneys to demonstrate flaws in their case, pushing to have charges reduced or completely dismissed before the case ever reaches a courtroom.
- Preserving Trial Readiness: By thoroughly preparing every single file as if it is going to a jury trial, we maximize our leverage to secure acceptable plea resolutions or position ourselves to win at trial if you choose to defend your innocence.
A felony charge is an immediate threat to your future, your career, and your family. Do not step into a Polk County courtroom alone to face seasoned state prosecutors. Put a veteran trial lawyer and a Florida Bar Board-Certified Specialist in your corner.
Contact the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard today to schedule your free, in-depth legal consultation at our Bartow law office.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule your Free Consultation with Lakeland felony defense attorney, Robert A. Norgard.
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"Experience, when experience counts."
