Understanding the Process of Serving Community Service Hours in Miami, FL

When a defendant pleads guilty in a criminal case, sometimes, the alternative to paying huge sums of money in fines is to perform community service. The dollar amount of a fine(s) is set by the court. If the individual is unable to pay, an option is to work off its equivalent value in work hours.

How Community Service Works

Fines can be quite costly and depend on the severity of the offense and the penalties incurred. Defendants in Florida can find themselves facing fines ranging anywhere from several hundred dollars to up to tens of thousands of dollars. As a result, many times people can’t afford to pay. A defense lawyer familiar with Florida laws can help when you’re in this kind of difficult situation.

Community service work must be approved by the court system. This includes the location and the type of work to be performed. Whether it’s office work or manual labor or any other type of community service, the court will decide how many hours you must serve. The hours have to be verifable to be deemed acceptable by the court. The jobs enable the offenders to offer their time and talent in ways that make a valuable contribution to the community.

In reality, community service is a way to allow an individual to potentially avoid jail time. The court can impose penalties in the case of a person failing to comply with Florida court-ordered community service. The extent of the penalties can be more penalties, a stiffer sentence, and/or required jail time.

A court-mandated community service work directive can also be completed by performing volunteer work. Dade County offers many volunteer programs that are court-approved for fulfilling community service work. Defendants may receive a list of approved volunteer organizations that match their skills and strengths. There are guidelines to which you must adhere, and the time spent on the job is under continuous supervision.

Why You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney

It’s highly recommended that you do not try to represent yourself in a criminal case. An attorney who is knowledgeable in the criminal law process in Florida will help protect your rights. Your attorney will have the experience to not only provide expert legal guidance; they can also negotiate the terms of the sentencing. They’ll navigate the entire court process on your behalf to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is roykahn.gifRoy J. Kahn, with years of legal experience in a wide variety of criminal law, heads a “boutique” firm, which means that your attorney is Roy J. Kahn, not a paralegal. If you have been charged or are about to be charged with a crime—or if you have been contacted to be a witness in a federal grand jury case, you need a qualified defense. You should consult with an attorney immediately and know that you have a right to make no statement until you have consulted with an attorney To contact Mr. Kahn, he can be reached at 305-358-7400.