Be warned: misdemeanor charges can have serious consequences!
It’s easy to think that a criminal charge for a misdemeanor may not be a big deal. Do not assume that because your charge is not a felony that you do not have to worry. A misdemeanor charge can have serious consequences that require the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Almost all crimes have both direct and indirect consequences and solving them requires professional help.
direct consequences
A judge can impose direct consequences for a misdemeanor charge if convicted. While these penalties may be lower than those for felonies, they are not insignificant and can easily alienate you from family and friends and/or affect his finances.
• cell: If you are involved in multiple misdemeanors, you may be sentenced to a year or more in jail. Some misdemeanors, such as being under the influence of a controlled substance, carry a mandatory minimum jail time of 90 days.
• Fines: Misdemeanors may require fines of $1,000 to $2,500 in some jurisdictions. Once the civil assessments are imposed, the fines become a significant amount of money which, if not paid, can lead to probation violation.
• Required Classes: You may be required to attend classes for some crimes, such as driving under the influence, petty theft, being under the influence, or domestic violence.
In some cases, you may be sentenced to community service or court supervision restricting your freedom.
indirect consequences
Indirect consequences are different in that they are typically immigration or civil penalties outside of criminal penalties. These can make it difficult for you to get on with your life and are not to be taken lightly either. Some of these may be:
• Loss of right to own a firearm: Some misdemeanor convictions restrict the right to own a firearm: for example, anyone convicted of a crime related to domestic violence cannot own any type of weapon.
• Ineligibility for public housing, housing vouchers, or other public benefits: The public housing authority has the right to deny you housing if there is convincing evidence that you were or are involved in drug or alcohol related activities.
• Find employment: While most states have criminal record discrimination laws, they can be difficult to enforce if you are in an at-will employment state.
• Driver’s license suspension: In some cases, you may lose your driver’s license. For example, driving under the influence of alcohol can suspend your driving privilege for up to six months.
• Loss or denial of a professional license: If you need a professional license to do your job, a misdemeanor conviction can get your license suspended and put you out of business.
• Deportation: Immigrants with lawful permanent resident status could be deported if charged with certain misdemeanors.
Being charged with a misdemeanor is no small feat and should not be taken lightly. You want to make sure you find an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you with this situation to protect your rights.
How do you find the right criminal defense lawyer?
The first thing you need to do is go online and see the background and experience, even if they refer you to a lawyer. Look at their reviews, not just a fancy website. You want to know what other clients have said about the criminal defense attorney.
