Facing Felony Charges in California?

A Fresno Felony Defense Lawyer Can Build You a Strong Defense

You made a mistake — made an error in judgement. You might not have known exactly what you were doing at the time. Your emotions might have gotten the better of you. You may not have even known what you were doing or that you were breaking the law. Nonetheless, you have been accused of a felony crime in California. You want to serve as little jail time and pay as little fines as possible. In order to do so, you need an unbiased Fresno felony defense lawyer to hear out your side of what happened and put together a strong legal defense that will advocate for the best possible legal result.

The criminal defense attorneys at Hammerschmidt Law Corporation advocate for the rights of clients in the central California area who have been accused of felonies.

What Is Considered a Felony Crime in California?

California Legislation defines a felony as a crime where the potential sentence of confinement can last for more than a year. Typically, felonies encompass more violent and serious crimes than misdemeanors and carry stiffer penalties. Crimes that can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor in California are called “wobblers”. Many prosecutors will charge wobblers as felonies, but they may be plea bargained down to a misdemeanor.

Examples of potential felonies include:

  • Homicide. This includes attempted murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.
  • Violent crimes. Examples of these crimes include assault with a deadly weapon, battery, rape, mayhem, arson, carjacking, kidnapping and extortion.
  • Drug crimes. Crimes involving drugs do not only include selling them, but also possessing them for purposes of selling, transporting and manufacturing the controlled substances.
  • Property crimes. This type of felony includes vandalism involving property damage of more than $950, such as auto theft, embezzlement and fraud.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI). Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol is a felony if you have three prior DUI convictions, or one prior DUI felony. If driving under the influence caused a death or injury, however, it might be charged as a felony without a prior conviction.

Possible defenses include mistaken identity, false accusation, lack of intent, entrapment, self-defense and that the police may have acquired the evidence against you illegally. An experienced Fresno felony defense lawyer will be able to examine the circumstances of your case and decide the best defense to move forward with.

What Are the Consequences for Felony Crimes in California?

Depending upon the felony, you could be facing jail time and monetary fines. Outside of that, you might face discrimination when applying for housing or work due to having a felony on your record. Other consequences for being convicted of a felony in California might include losing your right to:

  • Vote while imprisoned or on parole;
  • Serve on a California jury;
  • Serve in the military unless you obtain a waiver;
  • Own a firearm (unless you receive a pardon from the governor).

Also, please note the California Three Strikes Law. This law states that a person be sentenced to twice the term in state prison for the felony he or she has been accused of if they already have a felony conviction on their record. If a person has two or more strikes and the new charge is a serious or violent felony, he or she might qualify for a 25 year-to-life sentence.

Questions? Call Our Fresno Felony Defense Lawyer Now

If you have been arrested on felony charges in California, please reach out the Fresno felony defense lawyers at the Hammerschmidt Law Corporation. We strive to provide the highest level of legal representation and act in the best interests of our clients. Our team can put together a proper legal strategy that could reduce possible jail time and monetary fines. Also, we can help if you have served your sentence and are having problems re-registering to vote.

Contact us at your earliest convenience. Call us at (559) 233-5333 or contact us online, so we can start working on your case as soon as possible.