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The legal system recognizes that not all crimes are equally severe, and the tiered classification of offenses may give the impression that a misdemeanor is a minor inconvenience rather than a life-altering event. While it’s certainly true that a misdemeanor carries fewer and less severe penalties than a felony charge, facing one still has the potential to cause serious disruptions at high costs — financial, social, and otherwise.
If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor in Riverside, finding a misdemeanor attorney who is experienced in these kinds of cases can help you smooth out the process with minimal disruptions to your life.
We have a complex set of statutes that are designed to serve multiple purposes. In the case of serious offenses, the punishment for the crime is often about removing the offender from a situation in which they can offend again in the future. That’s not necessarily the case with misdemeanors. The courts recognize that many crimes are not as harmful to society at large, but they still serve as a threat or nuisance. Because of this, those committing these lesser offenses may face criminal penalties in order to deter them from committing the act again in the future.
Alejandro handled my criminal case. I was looking at a lot of time and he fought for me for over a year and a half and got me the best possible outcome. He was always honest and upfront about everything. Even after my criminal case was over he would still check on me just to see how I was doing. ( still does ) He was an absolute godsend and always encouraged me to not give up and keep going. Couldn’t ask for a better lawyer.
We are extremely grateful for all your hard work and dedication to helping our daughter. Our daughter’s life was in your hands and you fought for her. I appreciate you answering all my calls and constant long emails, for keeping our family and deployed daughter in Japan updated with the Court process. We are currently seeing a huge positive turnaround in our daughter. Thank you again from this Military Family. God bless and much success always.
This law firm goes above and beyond for their customers. The professionalism that comes from their office is elite. They respond in a great timely manner, you literally don't have to wait for any questions you might have. Not only do they provide you with a number you can call but they also have a number to text, which is not often something you come across. Hands down this law group is tremendous! If you are in need of someone to represent you in court I highly recommend going with them.
Well worth the 5 Five Stars. Extremely grateful for all your hard work. Alex has excellent customer service from himself and his office. Very knowledgeable, supportive just 100% the BEST ATTORNEY. No beating around the bush with Alex — straight the point. I would 100% Recommend and Use his service in the future.
From the beginning of my case to its resolution Alejandro did an outstanding job defending me. He worked hard to discover evidence of my innocence and was able to get the case dismissed. If your looking for an honest, dedicated, and knowledgeable attorney, look no further. Communicated well and treated me as human rather than a case.
This law firm goes above and beyond for their customers. The professionalism that comes from their office is elite. They respond in a great timely manner, you literally don't have to wait for any questions you might have. Not only do they provide you with a number you can call but they also have a number to text, which is not often something you come across. Hands down this law group is tremendous! If you are in need of someone to represent you in court I highly recommend going with them.
What kind of charges are considered misdemeanors in Riverside? The category is a broad one that encompasses a wide range of offenses. Many of them involve a crime without any immediate harm to a victim. Some of the most common misdemeanor charges include the following:
Other misdemeanor charges do involve direct harm to someone else but may not rise to the designation of a felony. These charges include the following:
Some misdemeanor charges are associated with violating conditions placed due to a previous altercation with the law. These misdemeanor charges include the following:
As you can see from the above lists, misdemeanors are not limited to a single type of criminal activity. Individuals facing misdemeanor charges may be well-versed in the criminal justice system with previous experience facing charges or may be looking at a charge for the very first time. Regardless, a misdemeanor charge has the potential to cause serious disruptions to your life.
The biggest difference between a misdemeanor and a felony is in the penalties assigned for each. If you are found guilty of a misdemeanor, you may face a range of penalties. These are defined in Code 19 of the California Penal Code. According to this code, those facing a misdemeanor may be sentenced to the following:
In addition, if the harm caused is severe, a District Attorney may decide to charge as a felony instead of a misdemeanor. These are referred to as “wobblers” and have the potential to hold much more severe penalties. These offenses may include steeper fines and longer jail or prison sentences. The District Attorney’s decision on whether to move forward with a felony or misdemeanor is based on a contextualized picture of the crime that includes the defendant’s past criminal activity and the severity of the harm done to any victims.
Alejandro handled my criminal case. I was looking at a lot of time and he fought for me for over a year and a half and got me the best possible outcome. He was always honest and upfront about everything. Even after my criminal case was over he would still check on me just to see how I was doing. ( still does ) He was an absolute godsend and always encouraged me to not give up and keep going. Couldn’t ask for a better lawyer.
If you are facing a criminal misdemeanor charge in Riverside, don’t delay in contacting a misdemeanor attorney. It may seem like a minor offense that you can handle on your own, but even a few months of incarceration has the potential to cause major disruptions to your life. When you consider the time missed from work and family responsibilities, you’ll see that this relatively short sentence presents serious consequences.
A criminal defense attorney who is experienced in handling misdemeanor cases can give you guidance on what steps to take to first defend your case. It’s possible that a strong defense could mean you face no charges at all — especially if there were procedural missteps involved in the case. Even if you do end up being found guilty of the misdemeanor offense, an attorney can help reduce your sentence and ensure minimal disruptions to your life.
Reach out today to talk to someone about your case. The stress and uncertainty looming over an upcoming court appearance can be greatly reduced with the assistance of an attorney who understands the system and the charges you’re facing. Get a chance to talk over the details of your case with someone who understands what the court will be looking for and how to best mount a defense against the charges. A misdemeanor lawyer will help examine the evidence against you and prepare you for what’s coming next.
The accused is taken into custody. Police will ask basic discovery questions like name and address to identify a person, then pivot to more specific questions related to the incident.
You have the right to remain silent to avoid disclosing evidence that could potentially be self-incriminating, as well as the right to an attorney to defend you in court.
The police will take you in for booking — Police will fingerprint you and get and updated photograph for their records. After, you’ll be given a chance to contact your criminal defense lawyer.
The arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you’re going to plea. If you plead guilty, the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, your attorney will prepare for trial.
In the discovery stage, you’ll get to see exactly what evidence the prosecution has against you. This is when your attorney can make additional requests for evidence if need be and strengthen your defense.
Accepting the plea bargain is the last chance to plead guilty before the trial. Reduced charges may be presented to quickly settle the case and avoid trial.
The prosecutor presents the case to the jury. Any evidence or witness statements are shared at at this time. Afterward, it’s your lawyers turn to take the stands and share your side of the story. The jury will make a final verdict.
At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you were found guilty of. Decisions are based on the advised penalties for the specific charges in question.
Jail or Prison Time
Substantial Fines
Lengthy Probation
License Suspension
Mandatory Education
Some people worry that the cost of a lawyer will outweigh the fines and penalties of a misdemeanor offense. However, the costs of a criminal charge are more complicated than they might seem. Jail time has the potential to cause lost wages and strained relationships. A criminal charge can remain on your record and cause missed opportunities in the future. The true cost of a misdemeanor may be much higher than it initially appears, and getting a lawyer will help you minimize these costs.
A misdemeanor is less severe than a felony, but it does have the potential to be highly disruptive. You don’t have to let a misdemeanor ruin your life, but you should explore all of your options to make sure you are doing all you can to minimize the disruptions and costs.
Depending on your legal status, it may make you deportable or excludable, and it may affect any future attempts of naturalization pursuant to the laws of the United States.
A misdemeanor charge is less serious than a felony, but it is still a criminal charge that carries weight both in terms of penalties and your criminal record.
The district attorney is building their case against you right now. The Prosecutor will not take your charges lightly — Will you?
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