If you are facing serious criminal charges, one of the most important decisions you will make is who to hire as your personal defense attorney. Your choice of representation may decide the outcome of your case. It is important to select a highly experienced attorney who will fight for you with passion and dedication. A Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer is the best person to turn to if you are facing a felony charge. There are several factors you should consider before choosing a criminal defense attorney.
California Felony Laws. Only state laws on felonies are federal offenses. California’s state law allows the felony charges to be filed against anyone regardless of their innocence or guilt. The majority of felony convictions occur in areas with large populations. For this reason, the prosecutor normally requests that the defendant enter a plea bargain to minimize their sentence.
The three strikes and you are punished provision in California law is one of the most complicated aspects of a criminal attorney’s job. Although it is not considered a felony, the three strikes provision can impose substantial fines, as well as additional jail time. If you have three different prior California felony charges, you may be eligible for a resentencing hearing, in which case your sentence will be reduced.
California’s three strikes and you clause to require that the prosecutor prove that you committed the specific offense. The three strikes rule can impose a prison term of up to three years, although in some cases the court may require up to four years’ probation instead. The penalties regarding probation vary from case to case, so a competent California criminal attorney can determine what kind of sentence your particular offense merits. If you have already completed probation but are now facing another criminal charge, a good California defense lawyer can discuss the details of your particular situation with you and arrange a limited plea bargain.
In many California misdemeanor cases, the punishment is probation only. Misdemeanor charges are usually handled by California narcotics detectives, although other county and state police departments also handle these cases. If your case has any type of mitigating circumstance, however, your California defense lawyer may be able to work out a plea bargain. Sometimes this can be as simple as adding a few days to your probationary sentence. Other times, additional time may be granted depending on the circumstances of your offense.
The California felony charges you face can be quite serious, even if your specific crime does not involve a firearm. If you are facing such serious charges, it is essential to retain the services of a competent California criminal defense law firm. A qualified lawyer can explain the complexities of the law to you and help you make decisions about your future.