With so much to do in South Park, the possibility of getting caught up in a misunderstanding leading to a criminal charge is prevalent. Many criminal cases are the result of misunderstandings. Whether it is an alleged domestic dispute or theft, you can face substantial consequences.
The South Park criminal defense lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group believes everyone deserves adequate legal representation, and we use our legal experience to represent clients in South Park and throughout California.
Our Team Handles These Charges
A criminal defense attorney in South Park will fight for freedom for our clients or minimum sentencing depending on your alleged crime. Our firm handles the following charges:
- Sex crimes
- DUI charges
- Violent crimes
- Federal crimes
- Drug crimes
- White collar crimes
- Traffic violations
- Theft crimes
A criminal record will haunt you for the rest of your life, and if you already have a conviction, it is necessary to have it removed, and we can help with that. We also handle expungements to remove criminal charges from your record.
Call the Simmrin Law Group to discuss your options.
Misdemeanors vs Felonies
California has three categorizations of crimes that have different penalties. Infractions are minor such as speeding tickets, and they usually do not require legal representation. However, even a speeding ticket can impact your future by causing financial strife and points on your license.
Misdemeanor offenses are harsher than infractions but not as severe as a felony. You will need a criminal defense lawyer for either charge in South Park, CA. Misdemeanors have a maximum of one year in jail with fines and other consequences.
Felonies lead to severe consequences where you will serve over one year in prison, steeper penalties, and more. Felonies can result in life in prison.
Wobblers
Wobbler offenses can fall into a misdemeanor or felony charge depending on individual factors. You must have criminal defense lawyers who will fight your wobbler offense and work to get it as a misdemeanor.
Alternative Sentencing
When alternative sentencing benefits the public and the defendant, you can pay for your mistakes in different ways, such as:
- Fines
- Drug or alcohol rehab
- Ankle monitor
- Community service
- Probation
- Voluntary house arrest or home detention
Instead of spending time in jail, you can pay back your mistake through an alternative sentencing option. Your criminal defense attorney in South Park, CA, will fight for alternative sentencing when we cannot reduce or dismiss your charges. The court will consider various factors to decide if you are eligible for alternative sentencing.
The Three-Strikes Rule
California has laws regarding repeat criminal offenders known as the three strikes rule. If you have three felony convictions, you are a candidate for a 25-to-life sentence. The felony offense must be severe or violent.
Unfortunately, while there are guidelines for the three strikes rule, the criminal process does not always follow them and will seek these consequences for other crimes.
The California Legal Process
After you are arrested, your case can go on for weeks or months, but the consequences will stay with you forever. Our criminal defense lawyers will work to get you out of jail with the least stress. The legal process begins when you are under arrest.
The police officer will shackle you in handcuffs and transport you to a nearby police station, at which point you can call a South Park criminal defense attorney. You can get a bail hearing within 72 hours and stay out of jail before your criminal trial by paying a fee. Your criminal defense lawyer will represent you during this time and secure a fair bail payment.
The court can deny bail for some cases, especially if there is a history of probation violations.
How an Arraignment Hearing Works
You must also attend an arraignment hearing where the judge informs you of your charges and asks you to enter your plea. Your lawyer will advise you to plead not guilty so we can work on a defense. When you plead guilty or no contest, you will be sent to sentencing and begin serving your time in jail.
After you enter a not-guilty plea, you will have a preliminary hearing to determine the merits of your case. Finally, you will need to prepare for trial with the help of your attorney. We will work to resolve your case outside of court but prepare for trial if the prosecution is unwilling to resolve it.
We have a track record of courtroom success and work to ensure all our clients get a proper defense.
How a South Park Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Assist in Your Case
Our responsibility is to defend people who are accused of a crime or have been convicted. You need legal assistance through the entire criminal process, so you do not get a negative outcome. Our criminal defense lawyers will advocate for our clients at bail hearings, arraignments, interrogations, and court hearings.
If your case goes to trial, we will also represent your best interest there. You can get a defense attorney by hiring one or having the court appoint you one. The better choice is to hire the Simmrin Law Group.
Some of the roles we play include:
- Analyzing the prosecution’s evidence
- Getting your side of the story
- Representing you in court
- Forming plea deals and lowering charges when possible
- Interviewing and cross-examining a witness
Our primary goal is to get you out of jail with the least consequences possible. We must consider your criminal history and the severity of your crime when we fight for your freedom. Some cases are more complex than others, and you will get a different result than someone else.
Speak to the Simmrin Law Group Today
If you face a criminal charge in South Park, you must move swiftly to hire legal representation. The criminal process is fast and harsh, and you can face severe consequences for a crime you did not commit or harsher consequences than what your crime calls for. The Simmrin Law Group knows that the criminal process does not work for everyone, and we fight to defend anyone facing criminal charges.
Speak to a criminal defense lawyer in South Park immediately.