I need details regarding the Misdemeanor Intervention Program in Tampa, FL.
I went to court on Monday for two charges (Battery Simple 784.03(1)A & resist w/o violence 843.02(x)). Prior to this I've never been arrested and have no prior criminal history. I opt'd for the MIP thinking this would be the path of least resistance...and now I feel I may have made a mistake. As the fees seem more than if I would have plead "no contest" and from what other people have told me I could have pleaded no contest. Is it possible for me to not do the MIP and plea no contest...? Would it be wise? At this point I'm willing to accept having two misdemeanors on my record just to have this all over-with. Thank you so much.
When you're charged with a crime, you do not want to do something just because it's the "path of least resistance." You want to do whatever will keep your record clean. If it means you have to attend a few meetings and pay some extra money in exchange for having the charges dropped, you'd be foolish not to. If you complete MIP and ultimately have the charges expunged, you'll have a clean slate. If you plea to the charges, you'll have two misdemeanors on your record for the rest of your life. What do you think an employer would prefer? Good luck!
At least in Hillsborough County, for first time offenders, here's your 3 options. Option 1: If you're not guilty, plead not guilty and fight the case on the merits, without using MIP. This preserves your chance at MIP if anything else happens down the road. Option 2: Plead no contest, pay court costs, possibly probation, and wind up with two misdemeanors on your record. Option 3: Do MIP, stay out of trouble for a couple months and pay some fees to the salvation army; charge gets dropped. Either take option 1 or option 3. If you don't want to be in MIP anymore, then if you skip the meetings or don't pay the fines, they'll automatically send you a court date to head back to court and face the judge you did at arraignment.
Asker
Thank you. I will follow thru with competing the MIP. Kind regards
Definitely take the MIP.
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Asker
Thank you. I will follow thru with competing the MIP. Kind regards
You made the right decision. If you complete the MIP program the charges will be dismissed by the State Attorney's Office. You can then expunge your record. If you pled no contest you would have likely been placed on some sort of probation and probably received a withhold of adjudication
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Asker
Thank you. I will follow thru with competing the MIP. Kind regards
You are welcome. I wish you the best of luck. After you complete MIP if you want to expunge your record give my office a call.
Asker
Thank you. I will follow thru with competing the MIP. Kind regards