Misdemeanors
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Los Angeles Misdemeanor Lawyer
What Are the Different Types of Misdemeanors?
Common standard misdemeanors could be:
- Drug Possession for Personal Use
- Petty Theft
- Prostitution
- Domestic Battery
- DUI w/o Injury
- Violating a Restraining order
Misdemeanors in the state generally fall under one of two categories:
- Standard California misdemeanors – punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000
- Gross (or aggravated) misdemeanors – punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 or more
Note that in Los Angeles County, courts are required to impose sentences on the lower end of the penalty range if there are no extraordinary circumstances present. Misdemeanors in California are crimes for which the punishment will not be more than 1 year in county jail.
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Criminal Defense
Misdemeanor Probation
Misdemeanor violations are often punished with misdemeanor probation, also referred to as “summary” or “informal” probation. Misdemeanor probation typically lasts for 1 year, during which the defendant must comply with the terms of their probation order, which could include:
- community service or labor;
- counseling or treatment programs; or
- electronic monitoring or house arrest;
- restitution to the alleged victim.
Los Angeles County courts are required to grant probation in eligible cases if there are no extenuating or extraordinary circumstances. An experienced misdemeanor lawyer like Attorney Eric Samuel Adams, Jr. can help argue for probation instead of jail time in such cases.
“Wobbler” Offenses
Expunging a Misdemeanor
California law allows for most misdemeanor convictions to be expunged, except for sex crimes against children, which cannot be expunged. An expunged record means that the defendant is not required to disclose the existence of the expunged conviction as part of their criminal history on a job application or in an interview.
In general, a defendant is eligible for misdemeanor expungement in California if they:
- have successfully completed probation; and
- are not currently charged with, on probation for, or serving a sentence for a criminal offense.
Let Adams Law Help You Today
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor in Los Angeles, do not hesitate to contact an attorney for legal support to combat your charges. While misdemeanor convictions are not as serious as felonies, they still call for some time in jail and fines, and they also leave a mark on your criminal record. As a result, if you have been unfairly accused, it is imperative to enlist the help of a misdemeanor defense attorney to argue for mitigated charges (such as in the case of a wobbler offense) or an entire dismissal, if appropriate. Adams Law has experience obtaining numerous dismissals for clients before and can develop an effective strategy to fight your misdemeanor charges.
Why Choose Adams Law?
We Go The Extra Mile
Creative
Willing to Think Outside the Box to Get Results
Compassionate
Empathetic Willingness to Step Inside Peoples Shoes
Courageous
Not Afraid in Court and Fearlessness When Litigating
