Santa Ana Criminal Defense Attorney
A misdemeanor conviction is punishable by a maximum of one year in jail and $1,000 or less in fines. Some common misdemeanor offenses include DUI, shoplifting, and driving on a suspended license. Based upon a person's prior criminal record or severity of the crime, the District Attorney may change a misdemeanor charge to a felony, making the consequences of conviction even more serious. Protect yourself by hiring a Santa Ana criminal defense attorney to represent you!
What type of penalties am I facing?
Misdemeanor offenses fall between infractions and felonies. Crimes such as simple assault, trespassing, and disorderly conduct are considered low-level offenses and are not prosecuted as harshly as felonies. Whether a crime is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the facts of the case and any prior criminal record you may have.
Punishments for misdemeanors may vary but can include the following:
- Up to one year behind bars
- Payment of fees to the court
- Potential probation
- Community service
- Payment of restitution to the victim
Any charge of a misdemeanor can be enhanced to a felony if you have been charged with a similar crime in the last ten years.
Expungement of Misdemeanors
Expungement is the process by which a person convicted of a misdemeanor of to be able to legally claim that they have not been convicted of a crime. Expungement of a crime takes place under certain circumstances—a person may not be facing a current criminal charge or be on probation and the sentence must not involve state imprisonment. Expungement can only happen after a probation sentence has been completed.
A successful expungement petition can result in an early termination of probation, withdrawal of a plea, dismissal of a case, having an arrest changed to a detention, or having a criminal record sealed. Expungements can be denied if the court does not believe it to be in their best interest, the filing fee was not paid, or probation was violated.
Your Satisfaction is Our Priority
A Santa Ana criminal defense attorney can work to have your crime expunged if possible under your specific circumstances. At Darwish Law, we fight relentlessly for the best outcome possible for our clients. This includes arguing in court or in a settlement to have your charges reduced if they cannot be dropped altogether. Work with our team today to have experienced and aggressive criminal defense on your side.
Contact Darwish Law to schedule your free consultation where we can discuss your legal options!