Felon in Possession of a Firearm

A felony conviction results in the loss of many civil rights, including the right to vote, and the right to own, use or possess a firearm. If you have been convicted of a felony and are found to be in possession of a gun, the consequences can be severe and you need to contact the Best Firearms Defense Lawyers in Clearwater.

Definition of Felon in Possession of a Firearm

In order to prove the charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, the State of Florida must prove that the Defendant:

• Had previously been convicted of a felony; and
• Owned, or had in his or her care, custody, possession or control, a firearm.

In order to prove that an individual possessed a firearm, the State must prove that he or she had knowledge of the existence of the gun, and that he or she intentionally exercised control over the firearm.

Possible Penalties for Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Under Florida law, the Possession of a Firearm by an individual who had previously been convicted of a felony is a second-degree felony, with a possible penalty of up to fifteen (15) years in the Florida State Prison System. Under Florida Statute 775.087 which reclassifies certain offenses involving firearms or weapons, if it is proven that the individual had “actual possession” of the firearm, the Court must impose a minimum-mandatory 3-year prison sentence if convicted.  

How our Team of Top-Rated Clearwater Gun Defense Lawyers Can Help

During your consultation with a member of our Pinellas County Gun Rights Defense Team, we will discuss the facts and circumstances of your case and any defenses that may be available to you. Some defenses that may exist include:

• The lack of a prior conviction due to receiving a “Withhold of Adjudication” or a dismissal through “Pre-Trial Intervention.”
• The absolute defense of having your firearms rights restored
• The lack of knowledge of the presence of the firearm.
• Admissibility or reliability of DNA evidence

Call Our Office Today for a Free Consultation

If you have been arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, call our office at 727-578.0303 today to schedule a free consultation. If you contact our office soon enough, we may be able to intervene with the prosecutor prior to the filing of a formal charging document to persuade the prosecutor to dismiss the charges or file less serious charges. However, time is of the essence. Put our experience to work for you today.