Felony Charges Attorneyin San Bernardino, California

Understanding California Felonies

In California, a felony is a serious crime that is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. Felony charges are more severe than misdemeanor charges and include offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, drug trafficking, and felony DUI offenses, among others. These crimes are the most serious of all criminal offenses, and a conviction can lead to years in state prison, expensive fines, and in some cases, restitution to a victim.

Types of felonies

There are several different types of felony charges in California, including:

Violent felonies

These are crimes that involve the use of force or violence against another person. Examples include murder, rape, assault with a deadly weapon, weapons charges, and others.

Drug crimes

These are crimes that involve the possession, sale, or trafficking of illegal drugs. Examples include drug possession, larger quantities of illegal substances, trafficking, and manufacturing.

Property crimes

These are crimes that involve the theft or destruction of property. Examples include burglary, robbery, and arson.

White collar crimes

These are crimes that are committed for financial gain. Examples include embezzlement, fraud, and money laundering.

Penalties for felony charges

The penalties for felony charges in California vary depending on the crime’s severity and the accused individual’s criminal record. In general, the penalties for felony charges can include:

Imprisonment: Felony charges can result in a sentence of up to life in prison.
Fines: Felony charges can result in tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
Probation: Felony charges can result in probation, which requires the defendant to follow certain conditions and restrictions, often for many years.
Restitution: Felony charges can require payment for restitution, with the convicted individual required to pay for any damages or losses caused by the crime.

Aggravating factors in felony charges

Aggravating circumstances are factors that make a felony more serious. The following are some examples of aggravating circumstances that can affect felony charges:

Use of a deadly weapon
Commission of the crime for financial gain
Commission of the crime against a vulnerable victim, such as a child or an elderly person
Commission of the crime in a public place
Commission of the crime while on probation or parole

The court may impose harsher penalties if any of these aggravating circumstances are present.

Defense strategies for felony charges

When facing felony charges in California, several defense strategies have proven to be effective in court, including but not limited to:

Challenging the evidence: The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. If the evidence is weak or circumstantial, the defense will challenge the validity of the evidence.
Arguing self-defense: If the defendant was acting in self-defense, they might be able to argue that they were protecting themselves or someone else from harm.
Cases of mistaken identity: If the prosecution has identified the wrong person as the perpetrator, the defense can argue that the defendant is innocent.
Rights violations: If the police engaged in any activity that violated the Constitutional rights of the accused, it could allow for evidence gathered illegally to be suppressed. Rights violations can include illegal stops, illegal searches, or other violations of rights.
Plea bargains: If the evidence is difficult to challenge due to video evidence, or witness testimony, the defense attorney could seek to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution to reduce the level of the charges from a felony to a misdemeanor or a reduced sentence.

The talent of your defense attorney matters.

If you are accused of committing a felony offense, one person stands between you and the full force of the criminal justice system: Your defense attorney. The legal skills, talent, and dedication of your attorney are, arguably, the most critical point in the final outcome of your case. When represented by our felony charges lawyer in San Bernardino, your case will be in the hands of a criminal defense attorney who brings a rare level of skill to every case. The firm is client-centered and there to help every step of the way. The firm offers the competent and diligent representation necessary when facing felony charges while delivering guidance and personal support. The firm offers financing for legal counsel, allowing the accused to have the highest quality legal representation without paying in full upfront. In the end, you can’t afford NOT to hire The Law Offices of Vincent Hughes – your future freedom may depend on it.