Facing a Felony Charge in California
If you are detained for questioning either before or after an arrest, DO NOT talk to anyone and ask to speak to an attorney immediately. This includes not only law enforcement personnel, but also prosecuting and non-prosecuting agencies such as the District Attorney's Office.
A felony is a serious, and often times, complex charge for both the prosecutor and the defense attorney to handle. Each crime is unique, and may range in its seriousness. Some charges may be reduced to a misdemeanor while other charges could be punishable by death. Being represented by an effective attorney at an early stage of your felony case will make a difference. A lawyer will preserve evidence in your favor and bring it to the attention of the prosecutors or police early on, even before any charges are filed. An effective attorney will know the most efficient methods to obtain a favorable outcome for the accused by negotiating a settlement with the prosecution or securing the strongest possible defense at the trial. If you or a loved one have been accused of a felony crime, you should not waste any time in contacting a legal representative. It is always worth the attempt to fight this type of conviction because the stakes are so high. Even if you cannot get your charges dropped completely, reducing your felony to a misdemeanor means a lot, and it will not count as a strike on your criminal record.
Choosing the right attorney to represent you can have a dramatic effect on the outcome of your case. The legal system can be daunting, however, it can work in your favor, especially when your attorney has the knowledge and experience to protect you, your family, and your livelihood.
Taken from the game of baseball, the California Three Strikes Law operates under the saying "three strikes and you're out!" This law clearly states that anyone who has two strikes on their record has to receive twenty-five years to life-in-prison without the possibility of parole for the third offense. This means that a person who is convicted o f a petty theft can receive a penalty as harsh as a murder conviction. This is why it is so important for those who have been accused of a felony, do everything in their power to defend themselves.
Every crime in California, regardless of whether it is a drug crime, sex crime, traffic violation, theft crime, etc. will be charged as either an infraction, misdemeanor, or a felony. An infraction is the least serious of the three types of charges, as there is no possible way for the accused to be incarcerated. This means, even if the accused were to loose their case, the outcome would not require time in either a county or a state prison. A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony and more serious than an infraction. To be found guilty of a misdemeanor, the offender may spend up to one year in the county jail for each alleged count.
When convicted of a felony crime, whether you go to prison or not, your life may suffer serious consequences during imprisonment and after. Even if a criminal case is dismissed, when a case is filed, there is still a stain on the defendant's record that may appear in a background check. A felony conviction on your record will affect your ability to get a job, acquire housing, and professional licenses, obtain a mortgage, get a higher education, and receive assistance from government programs and more. Additionally, if you are convicted you are typically not eligible for low-income housing.
A felony is a serious, and often times, complex charge for both the prosecutor and the defense attorney to handle. Each crime is unique, and may range in its seriousness. Some charges may be reduced to a misdemeanor while other charges could be punishable by death. Being represented by an effective attorney at an early stage of your felony case will make a difference. A lawyer will preserve evidence in your favor and bring it to the attention of the prosecutors or police early on, even before any charges are filed. An effective attorney will know the most efficient methods to obtain a favorable outcome for the accused by negotiating a settlement with the prosecution or securing the strongest possible defense at the trial. If you or a loved one have been accused of a felony crime, you should not waste any time in contacting a legal representative. It is always worth the attempt to fight this type of conviction because the stakes are so high. Even if you cannot get your charges dropped completely, reducing your felony to a misdemeanor means a lot, and it will not count as a strike on your criminal record.
Choosing the right attorney to represent you can have a dramatic effect on the outcome of your case. The legal system can be daunting, however, it can work in your favor, especially when your attorney has the knowledge and experience to protect you, your family, and your livelihood.
Taken from the game of baseball, the California Three Strikes Law operates under the saying "three strikes and you're out!" This law clearly states that anyone who has two strikes on their record has to receive twenty-five years to life-in-prison without the possibility of parole for the third offense. This means that a person who is convicted o f a petty theft can receive a penalty as harsh as a murder conviction. This is why it is so important for those who have been accused of a felony, do everything in their power to defend themselves.
Every crime in California, regardless of whether it is a drug crime, sex crime, traffic violation, theft crime, etc. will be charged as either an infraction, misdemeanor, or a felony. An infraction is the least serious of the three types of charges, as there is no possible way for the accused to be incarcerated. This means, even if the accused were to loose their case, the outcome would not require time in either a county or a state prison. A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony and more serious than an infraction. To be found guilty of a misdemeanor, the offender may spend up to one year in the county jail for each alleged count.
When convicted of a felony crime, whether you go to prison or not, your life may suffer serious consequences during imprisonment and after. Even if a criminal case is dismissed, when a case is filed, there is still a stain on the defendant's record that may appear in a background check. A felony conviction on your record will affect your ability to get a job, acquire housing, and professional licenses, obtain a mortgage, get a higher education, and receive assistance from government programs and more. Additionally, if you are convicted you are typically not eligible for low-income housing.
Source...