With their expansive knowledge of the law, prosecutors are serious adversaries, well-equipped to secure convictions. If you have been charged with a criminal offense in or around Orange County, you need an equally strong and knowledgeable defender. Contact Simmrin Law Group to speak with a defense attorney in Orange County right away.
Types of Criminal Charges and Penalties
Conviction of a criminal charge will cost you money, time, and potentially your freedom. Your best protection against serious consequences is to have an Orange County criminal defense lawyer fight to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
Misdemeanor Charges
Misdemeanors are considered minor criminal acts. Standard misdemeanors can bring penalties of up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $1000. Aggravated (also called “Gross”) misdemeanors can bring penalties of up to one year in county jail and a maximum fine of $1000.
Judges have the additional option to put misdemeanor offenders on informal probation, which typically lasts one year. Offenders must comply with all conditions of their probation, which may include community service, counseling, electronic monitoring, paying victims restitution. Examples of misdemeanor offenses include
- Shoplifting,
- Domestic violence in which no serious injury occurs
- Public drunkenness
- Prostitution
- Driving under the influence (DUI) without causing injury
Felony Charges
Felonies are more serious criminal acts and yield far more serious consequences including fines up to $10,000, prison sentences ranging from one year to live, and even execution (for first-degree murder charges). Examples of felonies are
- Grand theft
- Assault with a deadly weapon,
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
Depending on the crime committed, judges have the option to put offenders on probation. If put on felony or “formal” probation, offenders will not spend more than a year in jail. Felony probation usually lasts from two-three years.
Offenders must comply with all conditions of their probation which include, among other potential requirements:
- Paying victims restitution
- Monthly sessions with a probation officer
- Therapy
- Drug testing (for drug-related crimes)
- Community service
- Body or property searches
For a free legal consultation with a criminal defense lawyer serving Orange County, call (310) 896-2723
Wobbler Offenses
Wobbler offenses have the potential to be charged as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the offender’s criminal history. Prosecutors usually decide whether to pursue misdemeanor or felony charges. Sometimes, judges decide how to punish the charge.
Felonies with wobbler status include
- Forgery
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm
- Vandalism
Felonies not included in the wobbler category cannot be reduced to misdemeanors and are called “straight felonies.” Examples of straight felonies include:
- Murder
- Rape
- Sale of a controlled substance
- Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence
Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
California’s Three Strikes Law
California’s Three Strikes Sentencing Law imposes increased sentences for repeat convictions of “serious or violent” felonies. A second strike, or conviction, can double the offender’s sentence, and a third strike brings a mandatory prison sentence of 25 years to life. With years, decades, or a life of incarceration on the line, you need the protection of an aggressive and skilled criminal defense lawyer in Orange County.
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How a Strong Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney Will Help You
Navigating the legal system is not easy, especially when you are under the extreme stress that comes with criminal charges. When facing charges, never attempt to defend yourself or settle for inferior representation. There is too much at stake.
A skilled Orange County defense lawyer from Simmrin Law Group will provide you with a vigorous, effective defense, working to protect your rights and interests through the duration of your case. Your lawyer will provide you with:
Trusted Advocacy
Attorney-client privilege is real. It is not a concept made for television dramas and legal thrillers. Your lawyer will serve as your trusted advocate and must keep any information you share in strict confidence. Be honest and thorough in answering your lawyer’s questions. In doing so, you will help them develop the most secure defense possible.
When you have to make decisions regarding your case and defense, you can trust your lawyer to present all options clearly and with your best interests at heart.
Thorough Investigating
Your lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case, carefully reviewing witness statements, physical evidence, camera footage, and any other related evidence. An experienced Orange County defense attorney also has connections with experts, specialists, and investigators whose insights and analysis can strengthen your defense and challenge the prosecution’s allegations against you.
Accurate Navigating
Preparing and filing legal documents and managing court appearances are practical but essential elements of your defense. Those without a legal background rarely know what to file or when to file it, when to appear in court, or what to say when standing before a judge. Any errors can slow down proceedings or damage your case, causing you more stress and more consequences.
For your lawyer, these essential elements are second nature. They will steer your case through the legal system smoothly and without error.
Expert Negotiating
Having your charges and penalties reduced or dismissed is your defense attorney’s goal. Armed with legal expertise and comprehensive knowledge of your case and the prosecution’s allegations, your attorney will conduct fierce negotiations on your behalf. If the prosecution’s evidence or application of the law has points of weakness, your criminal defense attorney in Orange County will find them and expose them, to your benefit.
As part of the negotiating process, your lawyer will introduce mitigating factors to reduce your charges or penalties. Facts or circumstances that work to reduce your culpability for the act committed are mitigating factors. For example, if you were coerced or threatened into the act, suffering from mental illness at the time of the act, or show true remorse and desire for rehabilitation, your lawyer can offer these issues as mitigators.
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Put Your Case in the Capable Hands of a Skilled Defense Lawyer in Orange County
Being charged with a criminal offense can leave you feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. Do not face the charges alone. Contact an Orange County defense attorney from Simmrin Law Group for a free and confidential consultation immediately.
Your lawyer will give your case the individualized attention it needs and deserves, protecting your rights and best interests from start to finish.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form