Violations of the laws established by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) can lead to arrests, citations, and criminal consequences. While some accusations may relate to alleged violations that carry lighter penalties, such as unlicensed fishing or boating, other offenses like killing a threatened species can result in felony charges.
If you have been charged for killing or wounding an endangered or threatened species in Orlando, you need a competent environmental crimes defense attorney with specific experience in fish and wildlife cases. A lawyer who is deeply familiar with the legal complexities of these cases can work to diminish the long-term impact that a conviction would impose, whether fighting to get your charge dismissed, reduced to a lower-level violation, or deploying any other available defense strategy.
FWC violations are divided into four categories. Offenses classified as level one violations carry the lightest penalties, while level four offenses carry the harshest. FWC criminal charges can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the nature of the underlying offense and whether or not the accused has been found guilty of a violation in the past.
Killing or wounding an endangered or threatened species in Orlando is one of the most severe types of FWC violations and falls into the level four category. For example, the killing or wounding of wild panthers, sea turtles, tortoises, or any fish or wildlife designated as endangered or threatened can lead to level four charges.
Destroying the eggs or nests of these wildlife designated as endangered or threatened species qualifies as an FWC level four violation. The unlawful killing of alligators is also a level four violation that may be issued.
A criminal attorney who is extremely familiar with FWC rules, as well as the state and possibly federal laws governing your case, can provide an unmatched legal defense. Going up against the legal system alone is unlikely to secure the best possible results for your case.
FWC violations can incur a range of consequences, like the loss of suspension of various FWC-issued licenses, civil consequences, and criminal penalties. In the case of a level four violation for killing or wounding endangered or threatened species, this is a third-degree felony.
You should also bear in mind that you can face separate criminal charges for each individual violation of more than one occurred. A third-degree felony conviction for a single count of killing an endangered or threatened species could see you spend up to five years in jail. You can also face financial penalties of up to $5,000.
From your personal to professional endeavors, the long-term consequences of a criminal record can follow you for the rest of your life. If you are facing third-degree felony charges for allegedly harming an endangered or threatened species, your next call should be to an Orlando lawyer from The Umansky Law Firm.
We can collect evidence, mount an effective legal strategy, and identify any opportunities to mitigate penalties in your case. Whether negotiating a plea deal or seeking a full dismissal, your attorney can start building your defense from the earliest stages of your case while ensuring you do not risk missing hearings or deadlines.
If you have been charged in Orlando for harming a special of animal that is listed as threatened or endangered, including wild panthers, it is in your best interest to reach out to our team without delay. These are not cases that will simply go away if you pay a fine.
You could face life-changing legal punishments if you stand accused of criminal FWC violations. A respected defense attorney can evaluate the procedural and factual issues in your case and use those elements to tailor your defense strategy. The right defense will depend on the unique chain of events that led to your charge.
If you are under investigation, charged, or have been arrested for an endangered species violation, do not hesitate to The Umansky Law Firm now. We can explain your best legal options in a free one-on-one legal consultation.
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