Los Angeles Misdemeanor Lawyer
Facing Misdemeanor Charges in the Los Angeles Area
In California, criminal offenses are classified as: infractions, misdemeanors or felonies. Infractions, such as traffic violations, are the least serious, and are punishable by a fine or community service, but no jail time. Infractions will not appear on your criminal record. A conviction for a
misdemeanor, however, is considered more serious than infractions but less serious than felonies and will remain on your permanent record and carry consequences that can seriously impact your future. Misdemeanors carry a punishment of less than 1 year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
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 Partners 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 disuss the evidence against you and recommend your next steps to achieve the best possible results in your case.
Misdemeanor Criminal Attorney in Los Angeles
Misdemeanors are usually charged by a written complaint. Typically the complaint is filed with the court shortly before or on the day of the defendant's first court appearance (the "Arraignment"). While misdemeanor charges may be considered minor, being accused and/or convicted can have devastating lifelong effects.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 file. 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.
Misdemeanor Sentencing
If a defendant is convicted of a misdemeanor, either by a plea or a jury trial, the court can impose probation (informal) with or without jail time, community service, physical labor, counseling, restitution (paying the victim), fines ($200 to $2,000), and "stay-away" orders. A misdemeanor conviction also results in the person having a permanent criminal record.
Misdemeanor Criminal Attorneys in Los Angeles
While misdemeanors do not rise to the level of a felony and come with less jail time, they are still serious charges and can have far-reaching consequences. A misdemeanor conviction can impact your ability to obtain a professional license, rent an apartment, obtain a loan, and seriously limit your employment possibilities. Many companies today will simply not hire anyone with any type of criminal record no matter how small.
Do not face misdemeanor charges alone. If you are charged with a misdemeanor offense in the Los Angeles area, contact us immediately for a Free Consultation in our office. We have a successful track record in defending against misdemeanor as well as felony charges. An experienced, knowledgeable and skilled criminal defense lawyer will reduce your chances of going to JAIL and in some cases reduce the misdemeanor charge to an infraction.
For a criminal defense team you can rely on, contact a Los Angeles misdemeanor lawyer
immediately.