Gainesville Misdemeanor Lawyers | Bogin Munns & Munns
Bogin, Munns & Munns P.A.
(855) 780-9986
(855) 780-9986
Click Here to Request a Consultation
Click Here to Request a Consultation
Bogin, Munns & Munns

Gainesville Misdemeanor Attorneys

Your legal issues need our expertise. With 40+ dynamic attorneys on staff, Bogin, Munns & Munns serves Central Florida’s legal needs and treats our clients like family.
4411 NW 8th Ave, Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32605 352-389-3755 View all Google Reviews here
Speak To An Attorney Now
BBB Accredited Business Avvo Top Attorney Car Accident Super Lawyers Google Top Rated
On This Page
Reading time: 6 minutes
  1. Do You Need a Lawyer for a Misdemeanor Charge?
  2. What Misdemeanors Are Most Common Among Students?
  3. Can a Misdemeanor Affect Enrollment, Aid, or Housing?
  4. Can a Student Misdemeanor Be Dismissed Through Diversion?
  5. Will a Misdemeanor Stay on My Record in Florida?
  6. Ready to Talk to a Gainesville Misdemeanor Attorney?
driver smoking marijuana while operating a vehicle

For a University of Florida student, a misdemeanor is not a minor bump. It can trigger both a criminal case and a separate university discipline process, which is why a Gainesville misdemeanor lawyer should be involved early. We defend students and Alachua County residents charged with misdemeanors from our office on NW 8th Avenue, working to keep one bad night from becoming a permanent record.

Call our Gainesville office at 352-389-3755 for a confidential consultation.

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Misdemeanor Charge?

Kissimmee Juvenile Crime LawyerYes, in most cases. A misdemeanor conviction creates a criminal record that does not disappear on its own, and prosecutors do not reduce charges simply because a defendant is a student or the offense seems minor. A defense attorney can pursue outcomes a person representing themselves usually cannot.

For students, there is an added layer: the University of Florida’s Student Conduct Code process runs separately from the criminal court and can impose its own penalties. A single incident can put both your record and your enrollment at risk.

We evaluate whether dismissal, reduction, or diversion is realistic and account for both processes.

To consult with an experienced criminal misdemeanor & felony lawyer serving Gainesville
(855) 780-9986

What Misdemeanors Are Most Common Among Students?

The charges we see most often near campus reflect student life, and each carries real consequences despite seeming routine.

Charge Degree Common Context
Possession of alcohol under 21 Second-degree Bars, tailgates, off-campus parties
Disorderly conduct Second-degree Game days, large gatherings
Petit theft First or second-degree Retail, roommate disputes
Possession of a fake ID Varies Entry to bars and clubs
Drug paraphernalia possession First-degree Traffic stops, apartment searches

None of these is trivial when it produces a record. We work to resolve them in ways that protect a student’s future.

Can a Misdemeanor Affect Enrollment, Aid, or Housing?

St. Cloud Criminal DUI LawyerYes, it can. Beyond the criminal penalties, a misdemeanor can trigger a University of Florida Student Conduct Code proceeding that may result in probation, housing consequences, or other discipline.

Certain charges can also affect scholarships, on-campus housing eligibility, and future applications to graduate or professional programs. The two processes move on different timelines and standards, and a statement made in one can affect the other.

We help students navigate both tracks so a resolution in one does not create a problem in the other.

Call 352-389-3755 or contact us online to discuss your charge.

Gainesville Criminal Misdemeanor & Felony Lawyer Near Me
(855) 780-9986

Can a Student Misdemeanor Be Dismissed Through Diversion?

Often, yes. Depending on the charge and record, a misdemeanor may be dismissed, reduced, or resolved through pretrial diversion that results in no conviction, which is frequently the ideal outcome for a first-time student offender.

The State Attorney’s Office in the 8th Judicial Circuit decides who is admitted to diversion, which may involve classes, community service, or a substance program. Completion typically leads to the charge being dropped, preserving a clean record.

We assess diversion eligibility and advocate for admission whenever it fits the situation.

Will a Misdemeanor Stay on My Record in Florida?

daytona-beach-fl-criminal-defense-lawyer-duiA misdemeanor conviction stays on your record permanently unless you qualify to have it sealed or expunged. That record appears on background checks run by employers, landlords, and licensing boards, which matters when a graduate applies for jobs or professional programs.

Florida allows sealing or expungement in certain cases, particularly when charges were dropped, dismissed, or resolved through diversion without a conviction. Florida sets strict eligibility requirements for sealing or expunging a record, and the process is not automatic. Alachua County cases follow the state court system’s procedural rules. A misdemeanor conviction can also surface on a federal background check, which many employers and licensing boards request.

Click to contact our Gainesville Misdemeanor Attorneys today

Ready to Talk to a Gainesville Misdemeanor Attorney?

A misdemeanor charge is easier to resolve favorably early, before a rushed guilty plea creates a record that follows you into your career. For students, the sooner an attorney reviews the charge, the more options remain open on both the criminal and university side.

We defend misdemeanor charges in Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry, High Springs, and throughout Alachua County from our office at 4411 NW 8th Avenue, Suite B.

Bogin Munns & Munns also handles felony defense, DUI, drug charges, juvenile crime, and other criminal matters from 11 offices across Central Florida.

Call 352-389-3755 or contact our Gainesville office online for a misdemeanor consultation.

Call or Submit Our Consultation Request Form Today

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The university may learn of the charge and open a separate Student Conduct Code review, which is independent of the criminal case. The two can proceed at the same time under different rules. Contact a criminal defense attorney early, because how you handle one process can affect the other. We help students manage both.

  • It can. A conviction for possession of alcohol under 21 creates a record that appears on background checks and can matter for jobs, licenses, and graduate admissions. Because these charges are common and often eligible for diversion, resolving them without a conviction is usually achievable with the right approach.

  • For an adult student, the criminal court generally deals with you directly, not your parents, though the university’s process may involve its own notifications depending on circumstances. We can explain what to expect and help you understand who will and will not be informed as the case proceeds.

  • Paying a fine usually means pleading guilty, which creates a permanent conviction on your record. For a student, that record can follow you into job and graduate school applications. Before resolving any charge, it is worth knowing whether dismissal, reduction, or diversion is available.

  • A misdemeanor is a less serious offense with a maximum of one year in county jail. A felony can carry state prison time exceeding one year and heavier long-term consequences like loss of voting and firearm rights. Some offenses can be charged either way depending on the circumstances and prior record.

  • Pretrial diversion lets eligible offenders, usually first-timers, avoid a conviction by completing requirements like classes, community service, or a substance program. In Alachua County, the program runs through the 8th Judicial Circuit, and the State Attorney’s Office decides admission. Successful completion typically results in dismissal.

  • No. The University of Florida’s Student Conduct Code process is separate from criminal court and can impose penalties like probation, housing loss, or suspension regardless of the criminal outcome. The two proceed independently, which is why a student facing a charge benefits from guidance that accounts for both.

  • Sometimes. Florida allows sealing or expungement in specific situations, most commonly when a charge was dropped, dismissed, or resolved without a conviction. A conviction generally cannot be expunged. Eligibility is limited, which is why avoiding a conviction protects your future options.

  • Failing to appear can result in a bench warrant and additional charges, but scheduling conflicts can sometimes be addressed in advance through your attorney. If you have an exam, internship, or travel conflict, contact us early so we can seek accommodations and keep the case on track.