Defense Lawyer For Misdemeanor Crimes
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In the state of California, a misdemeanor conviction can result in up to a year in jail and a fine of $1,000. Misdemeanors remain on your record unless expunged, meaning they can be a stain on future employment background checks. While a criminal defense attorney for misdemeanors may be able to get your charge expunged eventually, the best defense is to fight the charges and keep them from appearing on your record in the first place.
If a court has charged you with a misdemeanor, it's essential that you seek out the services of a qualified attorney as soon as possible. Here at the Law Offices of Tabone, we have over 40 years of experience representing and fighting for clients. Let's take a look at what misdemeanors are, the consequences of conviction, how to get your misdemeanor expunged, and more.
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If you are facing a misdemeanor charge, it is vital to have representation from an experienced criminal defense lawyer. At the Law Offices of Tabone, we have the skill and experience necessary to work toward a favorable conclusion to your case.
Minor misdemeanor charges can often be resolved without having to go to trial. Our lawyers will work hard to negotiate a favorable plea agreement for you. We will aggressively defend your rights in court if a trial is necessary.
A criminal record can gravely impact your life, making it difficult to find employment or housing. If you have a minor misdemeanor charge on your record, our lawyers can help you get it expunged.
Contact us for a free consultation at 818-785-5000 if you need a criminal defense attorney for your misdemeanor case. We are happy to discuss your case with you and advise you on the best course of action.
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It's completely natural to feel worried or afraid when charged with a misdemeanor. With the uncertainty involved and the possibility of jail time or having a charge on your record, it's understandable to be a bit anxious. Even so, the right criminal defense attorney can mitigate many of these effects. They can fight to prevent you from serving time and even work to remove the charge from your record in some cases.
Unless you get it expunged, a misdemeanor charge will stay on your permanent record. Misdemeanor charges can result in up to a year in prison, and depending on the misdemeanor crime in your case, you could be found guilty of committing a felony.
Certain felony charges qualify as "wobblers," depending on the severity of the crime. For example, a DUI where the driver is simply intoxicated but doesn't hit anyone could be a misdemeanor, while a DUI leading to a crash and injury could "wobble" into a felony.
The consequences of a misdemeanor conviction are simply too high for you to settle for a public defender or represent yourself in court. Not only can an attorney fight your case and work to get your charges reduced or even dropped, but they can advocate on your behalf to get charges expunged should it get to that point.
Here at The Law Firm of Tabone and Associates, our attorneys have years of experience handling cases that look just like yours. We've sought (and gotten) charges reduced and dropped, and we've worked to expunge charges from our clients' records whenever possible. Whether you're guilty of the charge or not, a criminal defense lawyer has options and ways to help that you won't have access to on your own.
The worst mistake you could make as a defendant facing a misdemeanor charge would be underestimating the consequences and rushing through the process. Misdemeanors and their effects can live with you for the rest of your life.
One of the most significant things a criminal defense attorney for misdemeanors can do is seek the expungement of all charges after your case is over. The state of California has a procedural system for removing convictions from a defendant's record. This system, known as expungement, can essentially clear your record, allowing you to clear future background checks with ease.
In order to expunge a misdemeanor charge, you must submit a petition for dismissal. You'll send this petition to the court that heard your case, and the petition will formally request that the court review your record, dismiss your conviction, and close your case.
You must also submit a form MC-030. This serves as a declaration and explanation of your case. It also allows you to go into detail about your life and how much it has changed since the conviction, which will help toward convincing the court to expunge the conviction.
Misdemeanor criminal charges, while not as severe as felony charges, can still be devastating for a defendant. Along with hefty fines and jail time, your future employment chances can also suffer as a result of adverse background check results. Even a class A misdemeanor can drastically alter the course of your life.
While expungement is routine and relatively simple for an attorney to carry out, this isn't the case for someone who's representing themselves. It's not uncommon for misdemeanors to stay on a defendant's record for life, especially in cases where they relied on the services of a public defender. Public defenders don't always have the time or resources to represent their clients adequately.
In California, "misdemeanor" can refer to a large number of individual crimes. Some common examples of misdemeanors include things like:
- Public drunkenness.
- Drug possession.
- Shoplifting.
- Disturbing the peace.
- Reckless driving.
- DUI (driving under the influence).
- Assault and battery.
- Vandalism.
Wobbler crimes encompass a large number of misdemeanor cases that could qualify as felonies depending on the individual circumstances of your case. With that said, here are some of the most common wobbler charges:
- DUI (especially in cases involving a collision).
- Severe vandalism.
- Embezzlement.
- Criminal threats.
- Brandishing a weapon.
- Child endangerment (especially leaving a child inside a hot vehicle).
- Assault (especially if it causes serious bodily harm).
- Resisting arrest.
- Domestic violence.
Having representation is vital to working for a positive outcome. A skilled attorney will especially help in wobbler cases, where they can argue lack of intent and potentially get your charges reduced or even dropped entirely.
Yes, the information you share will be confidential. This means that it will not be shared with anyone else without your permission.
If you have any additional questions, please call us at (818) 785-5000.