Bogin, Munns & Munns P.A.
(855) 780-9986
(855) 780-9986
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Bogin, Munns & Munns

Melbourne 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.
7195 Murrell Road, Suite 101, Melbourne, Florida 32940 321-415-0681 View all Google Reviews here
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On This Page
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  1. Do You Need a Lawyer for a Misdemeanor Charge?
  2. Can a Civilian Misdemeanor Affect Military Service or a Clearance?
  3. What Are the Penalties for a Misdemeanor in Brevard County?
  4. Can a Misdemeanor Be Reduced or Dismissed Through Diversion?
  5. Will a Misdemeanor Stay on My Record in Florida?
  6. Who Handles Misdemeanor Defense at Our Melbourne Office
  7. Ready to Talk to a Melbourne Misdemeanor Attorney?
Orlando FL Criminal Misdemeanor Felony Attorney

A misdemeanor is not a small problem just because it is not a felony, especially for a service member or a cleared defense worker on the Space Coast. A Melbourne misdemeanor lawyer can protect you from a conviction that follows you onto background checks, security reviews, and command notifications. We defend people charged with misdemeanors throughout Brevard County from our Melbourne office.

Call our Melbourne office at 321-415-0681 for a confidential consultation.

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Misdemeanor Charge?

Melbourne Criminal DUI 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 an offense seems minor. A defense attorney can pursue outcomes a person representing themselves usually cannot.

For military members stationed at Patrick Space Force Base and for cleared contractors, the stakes are higher still. A civilian charge can trigger separate consequences under military rules or a clearance review, which makes early, careful handling essential.

We evaluate whether dismissal, reduction, or diversion is realistic before recommending a strategy.

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

Can a Civilian Misdemeanor Affect Military Service or a Clearance?

Yes. A civilian misdemeanor can lead to consequences beyond the county courthouse for those in uniform or holding a clearance. Service members may face administrative or command action under military rules for the same conduct, and a clearance holder may face a security review.

That is a second, parallel set of risks that a civilian defendant does not have. It means a plea that looks routine in criminal court can carry hidden professional costs.

We handle the criminal case with those additional consequences in view and coordinate accordingly.

What Are the Penalties for a Misdemeanor in Brevard County?

The Villages Pretrial Diversion LawyerFlorida divides misdemeanors into two degrees. A first-degree misdemeanor carries up to one year in the Brevard County jail and a fine of up to $1,000. A second-degree misdemeanor carries up to 60 days and a fine of up to $500.

Common first-degree misdemeanors include simple battery, first-offense DUI, petit theft over $100, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Second-degree misdemeanors include simple assault, disorderly conduct, and trespassing. A conviction can also bring probation, mandatory classes, and a permanent record.

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

Can a Misdemeanor Be Reduced or Dismissed Through Diversion?

Often, yes. Depending on the charge and your record, a misdemeanor may be dismissed, reduced to a lesser offense, or resolved through pretrial diversion that results in no conviction.

Here is how a diversion path typically works in the 18th Judicial Circuit:

Step What Happens
Eligibility review The State Attorney’s Office evaluates the offense and your record
Admission Eligible first offenders are offered the program
Requirements Classes, community service, restitution, or counseling
Completion The charge is typically dismissed on successful completion

 

A dismissal through diversion is often the best possible outcome for a service member or professional, because it avoids the conviction entirely. We assess eligibility and advocate for admission.

Call 321-415-0681 or contact us online to discuss your charge.

Will a Misdemeanor Stay on My Record in Florida?

A misdemeanor conviction stays on your record permanently unless you qualify to have it sealed or expunged. That record appears on most background checks run by employers, landlords, licensing boards, and security reviewers.

Florida allows sealing or expungement in certain cases, particularly when charges were dropped, dismissed, or resolved through diversion without a conviction. 

General court procedures for Brevard County are available through Florida Courts. A misdemeanor conviction can also appear on a federal background check, known as an Identity History Summary, which the FBI describes at their website. Because eligibility is limited, avoiding a conviction is the strongest protection for your record.

Click to contact our Melbourne Misdemeanor Attorneys today

Who Handles Misdemeanor Defense at Our Melbourne Office

Miranda Raustad

Miranda Raustad

Miranda Raustad is a criminal defense attorney at Bogin Munns & Munns whose practice covers misdemeanor and felony charges, serious traffic offenses, and record sealing and expungement. Before joining our firm, she served as an Assistant Public Defender in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orange County, where she represented hundreds of clients across a wide range of criminal matters. 

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida and her Juris Doctor from Barry University School of Law.

Our Melbourne office is at 7195 Murrell Rd, Suite 101.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Case results depend on individual facts and circumstances.

Ready to Talk to a Melbourne Misdemeanor Attorney?

A misdemeanor charge is easier to resolve favorably early, before a rushed guilty plea creates a record you cannot undo. For service members and cleared professionals, the sooner an attorney reviews the charge, the more options remain open.

We defend misdemeanor charges in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Viera, Titusville, and throughout Brevard County from our office at 7195 Murrell Rd, Suite 101.

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

Call 321-415-0681 or contact our Melbourne office online for a misdemeanor consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Service members often have reporting obligations, and the answer depends on your branch and situation. Because the same conduct can lead to both civilian and military consequences, it is important to speak with a criminal defense attorney early. We handle the civilian charge with your service obligations in mind and help you understand the parallel risks.

  • It can be. Even a first misdemeanor creates a record that appears on background checks and can affect jobs, clearances, and licenses. First offenses are also often the best candidates for diversion that avoids a conviction, which is why acting early with an attorney matters.

  • Paying a fine usually means pleading guilty, which creates a permanent conviction. For a service member or cleared worker, that record can carry professional consequences far beyond the fine. Before resolving any charge, it is worth knowing whether dismissal, reduction, or diversion is available.

  • In many misdemeanor cases, your attorney can appear on your behalf for routine hearings, which can help someone with duty obligations. Some proceedings still require your presence. We handle the appearances we can and prepare you fully for any you must attend.

  • 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 and certain nonviolent defendants, avoid a conviction by completing requirements like classes, community service, or counseling. In Brevard County, the program runs through the 18th Judicial Circuit, and the State Attorney’s Office decides admission. Successful completion typically results in dismissal.

  • Florida’s speedy trial rule requires misdemeanor cases to be brought to trial within 90 days of arrest, though the defense can waive that window when more time helps. Many cases resolve well before trial through negotiation, diversion, or a motion. We manage the timeline to protect both your rights and your defense.

  • 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 rules are strict, which is why avoiding a conviction protects your future options.

  • Failing to appear can result in a bench warrant and additional charges, but duty and deployment situations can sometimes be addressed with advance notice to the court through your attorney. If you have a scheduling conflict tied to service, contact us early so we can seek accommodations and avoid a warrant.