When you’re charged with a crime, your future is in the hands of someone else, and you could face serious penalties like jail time and heavy fines. While some crimes are clearly a felony or a misdemeanor under California law, other crimes can be charged either way depending on the circumstances surrounding the crime. These are known as “wobbler crimes.” Here’s what you need to know about wobbler crimes in California and what to do if you’ve been charged.
Examples of Wobbler Crimes
There are many different types of wobbler offenses in California, including, but not limited to:
- Burglary
- Spousal abuse
- Sex crimes
- Fraud
While simple spousal abuse may be considered a misdemeanor, a judge may charge you with a felony if the abuse was serious enough to warrant hospitalization or resulted in a temporary or permanent disability. A burglary may be elevated to a felony if a deadly weapon was involved, or if you have a history of burglary in the past. The more serious the circumstances surrounding the case, the more likely it is that the wobbler crime will be charged as a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
Felony Consequences
You will face many consequences when convicted of a felony. For example, if you are found guilty of a felony crime instead of a misdemeanor, your right to bear arms will be revoked and you will not be able to possess a firearm of any kind. You will also face lengthier incarceration, and your fines will likely be much higher. Avoiding a felony conviction for a California wobbler crime at all costs is of the utmost importance.
Why Hire a Seasoned Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Orange County is the key to increasing the possibility that the crime against you will be charged as a misdemeanor and not a felony. In cases where you were convicted of a felony, you may be able to petition the court to reduce your charges to a misdemeanor after the fact. An aggressive attorney will be able to examine all of the facts surrounding your case and will be able to use proven strategies to petition the court to charge the crime as a misdemeanor. If successful, your attorney may be able to negotiate alternative sentencing, such as mandatory community service and counseling, in lieu of jail time.
At the Law Offices of Joshua P. Visco, we understand the key differences between misdemeanor and felony crimes, and we can provide you with the solid representation you need to face the charges against you. Attorney Visco is a former prosecutor and has intimate knowledge of how the prosecution works. He will be able to offer you inside information that will be extremely valuable and pertinent in your case.
If you’ve been charged with a crime of any kind, your future is on the line. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case at (714) 242-1223 or toll free at (855) 4JPV LAW.