Los Angeles Misdemeanor Lawyer
Facing Misdemeanor Charges in Los Angeles Area
In California, criminal offenses are classified in three ways: infractions, misdemeanors or felonies. Infractions, such as traffic violations, are the least serious and will not appear on your criminal record. A conviction for a misdemeanor, however, will remain on your permanent record and carries with it consequences that can seriously impact your future. Felonies are the most serious of all, resulting in possible prison time from 16 months to life, and can be even punishable by death. If you are charged with a misdemeanor, contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at Stephen G. Rodriguez and Associates as soon as possible. We have a successful track record of defending clients against misdemeanors as well as felony charges and will gladly sit down with you, thoroughly inspect the evidence against you and recommend your next steps to achieve the best possible results in your case.
Misdemeanor Criminal Attorney in Los Angeles
Numerous crimes are commonly charged as misdemeanors, such as disorderly conduct, trespassing and vandalism with penalties that can include up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine, probation and others. In limited cases, offenses can be reduced to infractions but elevating to felonies is more typical. These cases are called "wobblers." The seriousness of the crime, injuries to the victim and the defendant's prior record are all factors that prosecutors use to determine what charge they will set. Examples of wobbler offenses include:
While misdemeanors do not rise to the level of felonies and come with less jail time, they are still serious charges and can have far-reaching consequences for your future; for instance, many companies simply will not hire anyone with a criminal record, no matter how insignificant. Do not face your misdemeanor charges alone! With our proven record of success in over 70 years of collective legal practice, we are the firm you need for your best likelihood of reducing your chances of going to jail, and in some cases getting your misdemeanor charge dropped to an infraction.
For a criminal defense team you can rely on, contact a Los Angeles misdemeanor lawyer immediately.