Defend Your Rights with Our Experienced Lawyers
At the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, our criminal defense attorneys have the experience and resources to help clients facing all types of charges. Whether you’re trying to handle a traffic ticket, have been arrested for a misdemeanor, or are facing felony or federal charges, our legal team is here to provide the support and aggressive representation you need. To discuss your rights, and how to protect them, you can email Ms. Landry and her staff here. In addition, you can listen to, and or download, her OC, CA Criminal Defense Attorney podcast episodes by clicking here.
Arrested for a misdemeanor or felony? Contact our firm for a free case review!
When it comes to criminal justice, the majority of cases will involve either misdemeanor or felony charges. In California, misdemeanors and felonies are general terms used to classify the severity of a criminal offense. Each charge will have unique characteristics, and will demand a unique defense.
Key Differences Between Misdemeanors and Felonies
- Misdemeanors – In California, misdemeanors are any crime punishable with less than one year of incarceration. In general terms, misdemeanors are less serious than felony crimes. Common misdemeanors include most DUI offenses, shoplifting, domestic violence, public intoxication, prostitution/solicitation, and drug possession.
- Felonies – Felonies are more serious crimes that carry jail or prison sentences of over one year. Felonies include a number of serious theft, sex, and violent crimes. Some common felonies include: grand theft, drug manufacturing/cultivation, robbery, auto theft, aggravated assault, murder.
Understanding Wobblers: Misdemeanor or Felony?
Because criminal cases are always unique, there are times when the same crime can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony. These crimes are referred to as “wobblers” and often become a factor in cases where defendants can fight for reduced charges, penalties, and sentencing.
In California, prosecutors can choose to file a crime as either a misdemeanor or felony based on:
- The unique facts of a case; and
- A defendant’s criminal history
As an example, two people that commit similar crimes may face different charges based on their criminal record. Prosecutors are more likely to more severely punish a person with a lengthy or serious criminal history. Whatever the circumstances, individuals charged with wobblers should work with experienced attorneys to work on minimizing the charges and penalties they face.
Get Your FREE Case Evaluation Today!
If you have questions about your case, whether you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor or felony, and how our legal team can fight for you, our firm is here to help. We serve clients throughout Orange County.
Contact the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry today for a free case evaluation.
