Panama City Felony Charges Attorney | The Sombathy Law Firm

A felony charge in Florida can expose you to years in state prison, substantial fines, and consequences that continue long after the criminal case ends. The potential sentence depends on the degree of the felony, the offense involved, your prior record, and whether sentencing enhancements or mandatory minimums apply.

The Sombathy Law Firm defends people facing serious felony charges in Panama City, Panama City Beach, and throughout Bay County. Attorney Bob Sombathy is a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, former homicide prosecutor, and criminal defense attorney with more than 30 years of experience.

Why Choose The Sombathy Law Firm for a Felony Case?

Felony cases can involve extensive evidence and substantial prison exposure. Your attorney should be prepared to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and take the case to trial when necessary.

When you hire The Sombathy Law Firm, you get:

Board Certified Criminal Trial Representation: Bob Sombathy has been Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law since 1999.
Extensive Felony Trial Experience: Bob has tried more than 150 felony cases before juries and previously served as a homicide prosecutor.
Personal Representation: Our attorneys handle cases personally rather than passing clients off to someone unfamiliar with their circumstances.
Straightforward Advice: We assess the evidence and potential outcomes honestly, without making promises we cannot keep.

Every criminal case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights, freedom and future.

What Is Considered a Felony in Florida?

A felony is a criminal offense classified under Florida law as more serious than a misdemeanor. Florida divides felonies into third-degree, second-degree, first-degree, life, and capital felonies.

The distinction matters because felony convictions can carry substantially longer terms of incarceration. While misdemeanor sentences generally involve county jail, a person convicted of a felony may be sentenced to state prison.

Some offenses can also be elevated to felonies due to circumstances surrounding the alleged crime or a person’s prior convictions.

What Are the Different Degrees of Felonies in Florida?

Florida law divides felonies into degrees, with the classification establishing the maximum sentence that can be imposed.

Felony Classification	General Maximum Prison Sentence
Third-degree felony	Up to 5 years
Second-degree felony	Up to 15 years
First-degree felony	Up to 30 years
Life felony	Up to life imprisonment
Capital felony	Life imprisonment or the death penalty where authorized

These are general statutory maximums, not predictions of what will happen in a particular case. The offense itself, Florida’s sentencing rules, prior convictions, mandatory minimums, and other circumstances can affect the sentence a person actually faces. Fines may also be imposed in addition to incarceration or other penalties.

What Types of Felony Charges Do We Defend?

The Sombathy Law Firm handles felony cases involving:

Violent crimes: Aggravated assault, aggravated battery, robbery, [homicide], manslaughter, and other allegations involving violence can carry substantial prison exposure. Witness accounts, physical evidence, intent, and claims of self-defense may become central issues.
Drug crimes: Felony drug possession, trafficking, and other drug offenses can depend on the type and quantity of the substance as well as evidence showing who knowingly possessed it. Search and seizure issues can also play an important role.
Weapons offenses: Some weapons charges are felonies themselves, while the possession or use of a weapon during another felony can increase the seriousness of the case.
Sex crimes: Felony sex crime cases can involve witness testimony, digital records, medical evidence, and other forensic evidence that requires careful review.
Property crimes: Theft, burglary, robbery, and related offenses may be elevated to felonies based on factors such as the value of the property, how the offense allegedly occurred, or the defendant’s prior record.

A felony charge does not establish guilt. The prosecution still has to prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

What Defenses May Apply to a Felony Charge?

There is no single defense to a felony charge. The right strategy depends on what the state must prove and how its evidence was obtained.

In some cases, the defense may challenge an unlawful search or seizure. If police obtained evidence in violation of the Constitution, we may ask the court to suppress that evidence.

Other cases may involve mistaken identity, unreliable witnesses, insufficient evidence of intent, or disputes about whether the defendant knowingly possessed drugs or another prohibited item. In a case involving alleged violence, self-defense or defense of another person may be relevant.

We also look beyond the police report. Video, phone records, forensic testing, witness statements, photographs, and other evidence can tell a different story from the initial allegations.

The question is not simply whether prosecutors have evidence. It is whether admissible evidence proves every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

What Happens After a Felony Arrest in Bay County?

A felony case in Bay County generally moves through several stages, although the exact process depends on how the case begins and what happens after charges are filed.

First appearance and bond: If you are arrested and remain in custody, you are generally brought before a judge for a first appearance within 24 hours. The judge addresses the initial charges and release conditions.
Formal charging: An arrest does not necessarily determine the final charge. The State Attorney’s Office reviews the case and decides what formal charges to file.
Arraignment: You are advised of the formal charge and enter a plea. Your attorney may be able to handle some procedural matters without requiring you to appear personally.
Discovery and pretrial motions: The defense receives and reviews the state’s evidence. This stage may involve depositions, investigation, and motions challenging evidence or other aspects of the prosecution.
Negotiations or trial: Some felony cases are resolved through dismissal or a negotiated plea. Others proceed to trial. We prepare cases with the possibility of a jury trial in mind rather than assuming a plea will be the outcome.

What Happens If You Are Convicted of a Felony?

The consequences depend on the felony and the sentence imposed. A conviction can result in state prison, probation, fines, or a combination of penalties allowed by law.

There can also be consequences outside the sentence itself. A felony record may affect employment and professional opportunities, firearm rights, and other aspects of a person’s life.

This is one reason defense work should begin well before sentencing becomes the issue. Challenging the charge, investigating the facts, and identifying legal issues early may affect how the case proceeds.

Talk to a Panama City Felony Charges Attorney

A serious felony accusation calls for a defense built around the actual evidence, not assumptions about what happened.

The Sombathy Law Firm represents people charged with felonies in Panama City, Panama City Beach, and throughout Bay County. Bob Sombathy brings experience from both sides of serious criminal cases as a former homicide prosecutor and a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Felony Charges

Is every felony punishable by prison in Florida?

A felony conviction can carry a state prison sentence, but that does not mean every person convicted of a felony will necessarily be sentenced to prison. The available sentence depends on the offense, sentencing rules, criminal history, applicable minimum sentences, and other factors.

Can a first-time felony offender avoid prison?

Possibly. Having no prior felony record can be relevant, but it does not automatically prevent a prison sentence. The type and severity of the offense, sentencing score, mandatory minimums, and other circumstances can affect whether probation or another sentence is legally available.

Can felony charges be dropped before arraignment?

Yes. The State Attorney’s Office reviews evidence after an arrest and determines what charges, if any, to file. In some cases, prosecutors may decline to file the felony alleged at arrest or may file a different charge.

Can a felony be reduced to a misdemeanor?

Sometimes. A reduction may be possible through charging decisions or negotiations when the facts and applicable law support a lesser offense. Whether that can happen depends on the particular charge and evidence.

How long does a felony case take in Bay County?

There is no single timeline for a felony case. The length depends on factors such as the amount of evidence, pretrial motions, plea negotiations, court scheduling, and whether the case proceeds to trial. More complicated felony cases can take substantially longer than cases resolved early in the process.