Martinez Criminal Lawyer

While some criminal offenses are more severe than others, all criminal convictions have the potential to derail your personal and professional life. A criminal conviction may result in the loss of your job, family, and freedom, depending on the severity of the offense. If you are facing a criminal charge, you may benefit from consulting with a Martinez criminal lawyer about your case.

From low-level traffic offenses to major felonies, you likely will need a legal advocate to protect your rights and represent your interests. The consequences of a criminal conviction can be harsh and have a damaging effect on your future. By getting the help of a defense attorney, you may be better situated to fight back against your criminal charges effectively. En Español

Categories of Criminal Offenses in Martinez

All criminal offenses fall into one of three categories under state law: infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies. Infractions are the least serious offenses for which individuals can receive only fines and community service instead of jail time. Some common examples are speeding tickets and other minor traffic violations.

What are the Penalties for a Misdemeanor Offense?

Misdemeanor offenses are more severe than infractions, but not as severe as felonies. A misdemeanor offense carries the potential for up to one year in the county jail and a maximum $1,000 fine. Disorderly conduct, trespassing, and vandalism all are examples of misdemeanor offenses.

What Crimes are Considered Felonies?

Crimes classified as felonies are the most serious of all criminal offenses. Murder, rape, and robbery all are felony charges that can result in steep fines and prison sentences ranging from 16 months to life. A criminal attorney in Martinez may be able to build a strong defense, regardless of the level of the charges that individuals are facing.

Wobblers: How Misdemeanors Become Felonies

Prosecutors can charge various crimes under state law as either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the situation. These offenses are often known as “wobblers.” Some relevant factors involved in this determination include the severity of the crime, the extent of the injuries to any alleged victims, and the previous criminal record of the accused persons.

Some typical examples of crimes that are wobblers under state law include:

• Forgery
• Some subsequent DWI or DUI offenses
• Illegal possession of loaded or concealed weapons
• Burglary

Other wobblers include statutory rape, domestic violence crimes, and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm. Individuals can face a broad range of penalties for these crimes, depending on how prosecutors charge them. An experienced criminal defense lawyer in Martinez understands that crimes that qualify as wobblers may give individuals room to seek reduced charged based on mitigating circumstances in their cases.

Common Crimes in Martinez

State law lists hundreds of different criminal offenses, but some occur much more often than others. Low-level misdemeanors are more common crimes than murder, for instance, but plenty of serious felony offenses do occur regularly throughout the state. For example, alcohol-related offenses are typical, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), public intoxication, and possession of alcohol by minors.

Other common crimes deal with property and bodily harm or threats of harm to others. Property crimes include trespassing, vandalism, and theft. Crimes against people may consist of assault and battery, sex offenses, and domestic violence crimes.

Speak with a Martinez Criminal Defense Attorney for Advice

Engaging the services of a Martinez criminal lawyer could be the most effective mechanism for positively resolving your case. Without the legal advice that you need, you may experience harsh consequences that impact various aspects of your life well into the future.

Immediately contacting legal counsel can be the best way to protect your rights and build your defense. To schedule your first consultation, call now.