Riverside Felony Lawyer

Common Felony Charges In Riverside

Felony charges are varied and may encompass a wide range of offenses. It’s important to understand that a felony charge is not necessarily tied to your past criminal history. While criminal history may be taken into account for some charges, others are designated as felonies as a first offense, which means that you could be facing serious penalties even if you have no record of past criminal offenses.

The most common felony charges in Riverside are as follows:

• Selling a controlled substance
• Robbery
• Kidnapping
• Assault with a firearm
• Carjacking
• Rape

These serious offenses are fairly straightforward and will be prosecuted as felonies due to the very nature of the crime. On the other hand, some offenses are not quite so cut and dry. These so-called “wobblers” could be prosecuted as felonies or could be charged as misdemeanors instead:

• Vehicular manslaughter
• Committing assault with a weapon other than a firearm
• Domestic violence
• Statutory rape

In these cases, the court has additional leeway in how they handle the charge, and the details of the case are going to make a big difference. Past criminal offenses and the impact on the victim will be under consideration as well as the circumstances surrounding the crime itself.

Possible Penalties For Felonies In Riverside

Felonies carry stiff penalties. As the most serious designation for criminal offenses, a felony also has the most serious potential outcomes for defendants. Because felonies incorporate such a wide range of offenses, courts typically look at them with a three-tiered system to assign penalties. Across this spectrum of potential outcomes, a defendant is facing a range of possible consequences:

• Incarceration: Felony charges differ widely in their possible prison sentences with the most serious offenses carrying a potential life sentence. For offenses without clear incarceration guidance, 16 months to three years is a typical sentence. 
• Fines: Felony offenses can carry stiff monetary penalties. Many felonies carry fines of up to $10,000, but the court has a lot of leeway and may levy fines in even larger amounts. 
• Probation: For some felonies—especially in less severe cases or for first-time offenders—the defendant may receive a “suspended sentence.” Instead of incarceration, the defendant will need to meet the conditions of probation for an assigned length of time.
• Additional Consequences: The court’s official sentencing is only part of the bigger picture. Being found guilty of a felony can cause lasting and ongoing consequences across virtually every area of life. 
  • Deportation: A felony offense may jeopardize a defendant’s immigration status.
  • Loss of Job Opportunities: Being found guilty of a felony may cause an individual to lose their professional license, get fired, or be barred from future job opportunities. 
  • Sex Offender Registries: Some felony convictions require registration with a sex offender registry, which carries its own set of penalties and limitations. 
  • Firearm Limitations: After a felony conviction, you may be legally barred from owning a firearm. 
  • Housing Obstacles: Some housing conditions will not allow those with a felony conviction.