Mandatory Minimum Sentences in Los Angeles

How Sentencing Works in California

Generally, a judge decides a defendant’s punishment after they plead guilty or are found guilty at trial. Punishments should be proportional to the crime, and judges have legal guidelines in place to help them choose the sentence that best matches the offense. Sentences can also be determined through a negotiated agreement with the prosecutors on the case, this is called a “plea agreement.”

Judges can consider any circumstance related to your case, such as:

• Whether you were the main offender or an accessory
• Whether you hurt someone or actively tried to avoid hurting anyone
• Your mental state at the time of the crime

However, if your crime falls under California’s mandatory minimum sentencing law, the judge has less of an influence on your punishment because there are already rules in place. This means that if you plead guilty or are found guilty, you will be subject to at least the minimum sentence set by law. The judge cannot give out a shorter or more lenient sentence—even if the specifics of your case would otherwise allow for it.

There are three main types of criminal offenses: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. All three include crimes that are subject to mandatory minimum sentencing in California.

How Much of Your Sentence Do You Serve in California?

In California, the time you serve in prison or jail depends on various factors, including the specific offense you were convicted of, your criminal history, and your behavior while incarcerated. California uses a complex “good time credits” and “work time credits” system to determine how much of your sentence you will serve.

Under California law, most inmates can earn good time credits for good behavior, participation in rehabilitation programs, and other positive actions. These credits can reduce the length of your sentence by up to one-third. In addition, inmates who work in specific jobs or participate in certain vocational or educational programs may be eligible to earn work time credits, which can further reduce their sentence.

However, it is essential to note that not all inmates are eligible for a good time or work time credits. Inmates convicted of certain violent or severe offenses may be ineligible or required to serve a more extended portion of their sentence before becoming eligible.

In general, the amount of time you will serve in California will depend on various factors and can vary widely from case to case. If you have been convicted of a crime in California, it is essential to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney to understand your rights and options and to determine the best course of action for your situation.

What Are “Wobbler” Offenses?

California law has a provision for what is known as “wobbler” offenses. These are crimes that can potentially be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts of the case and the criminal history of the defendant. Many crimes in Los Angeles count as wobblers, so it is important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney who can argue that your crime should be charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony.

Misdemeanors are more serious than infractions but are less severe than felonies. Examples of misdemeanors include:

• Disorderly conduct
• Driving under the influence of drug or alcohol (DUI)
• Domestic violence
• Petty theft
• Shoplifting
• Probation violation
• Public drunkenness
• Simple assault or battery
• Driving with a suspended license
• Possession of drugs like cocaine and heroin for personal use

Under California law, the maximum sentence for a misdemeanor cannot be more than one year in county jail. However, some misdemeanors have a maximum jail sentence that is less than a year.

Felonies are the most serious offenses according to California law. There are three terms an offender can be punished with if convicted with a crime in California—high-term sentence, mid-term sentence, and low-term sentence. Each crime has three possible punishments based on its severity—for instance, a two-year, four-year, or six-year sentence. It is up to the judge to decide which specific sentence to choose. Someone convicted of a felony can also be given probation, in which case they could receive one year or less of jail, or even no jail at all.

Examples of felonies include:

• Assault
• Domestic violence
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter
• Murder
• Rape
• Robbery

California also has something called the “Three Strikes Law” which means that anyone convicted of a serious or violent felony, having already been convicted of two other serious or violent felonies, can be sentenced to prison for 25 years to life.

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