Arrested for a Misdemeanor in Los Angeles, CA?
Misdemeanor Charges
If you or a loved one is facing misdemeanor charges in California, do not underestimate the damage that a misdemeanor conviction can have on the rest of your life if your case is not properly handled by a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. A highly trained attorney can help to significantly reduce the charges one is facing and, in many cases, help you avoid conviction or even achieve a case dismissal.
Although misdemeanors are not as serious as felony charges, they can affect one’s life negatively for years to come. Don’t make the mistake of not protecting yourself legally because you think the charges are not serious. Our firm has been assisting clients with misdemeanors successfully for years. With over 50 years of combined experience, we have been able to obtain dismissals for hundreds of our clients. If you are facing any of the following types of misdemeanors, please call our firm immediately:
- Drug crimes
- Theft crimes
- DUI
- Assault
- Bail Jumping
- Trespassing
- Obscenity
- Minor in possession of alcohol
- Public intoxication
- Indecent exposure
No matter what type of misdemeanor you are being charged with, there are effective defense strategies that can be taken advantage of to protect your rights and avoid a conviction.
Los Angeles Misdemeanor Arrests for Marijuana
A 2011 report from the Center of Juvenile and Criminal Justice shows that the odds of a Californian getting arrested have dropped dramatically over the last decade for almost every offense, except for misdemeanor marijuana possession. In 2010, more than 54,800 Californians were arrested for this criminal offense. As of June 30, 2011, 1,325 inmates were serving sentences in California prisons for marijuana offenses, illustrating why it is so important to fight the accusations and charges brought against you. Los Angeles is a hot-spot for law enforcement officers to make marijuana arrests, and you must contact a criminal defense attorney who you can trust as soon as possible.
Penalties for Misdemeanors
After a misdemeanor arrest, the suspect will be taken to the nearest police station and booked. This process includes identification checks and fingerprinting. In many cases, the suspect will then be released on a promise that he or she will appear at citation. If the misdemeanor offense is drug or alcohol related, then the suspect will be required to stay at the police station until he or she can safely care for himself or herself.
The penalties for a misdemeanor can reach up to a full year in prison and fines of up to $4,000. Even if jail time is waived, you will still have a permanent criminal record that could affect you for the rest of your life unless an attorney is able to dismiss your charges. A misdemeanor can bar you from living in the area of your choice or even obtaining the job you desire. If you would like to better understand how a misdemeanor charge can affect you and what actions you can take right now to help avoid the conviction, speak with an attorney at your earliest convenience.
