Trial-Tested Experience to Help Keep You Out of Jail
27+ Years of Criminal Defense Experience in Salinas
Felonies are more serious than crimes that are classified as misdemeanors and subject to harsher penalties, if you are convicted. Although it is best to avoid any criminal record, felony convictions have the greatest impact on your life. At Law Office of John Klopfenstein, our Salinas felonies lawyer fights to protect the rights of individuals accused of felony crimes in plea bargaining and at trial.
If you are facing felony charges, call our Salinas felony defense lawyer at (831) 751-3947 to arrange a free consultation.
Felonies in California
California classifies criminal offenses as misdemeanors or felonies. The most serious crimes are considered straight felonies, which means the charges cannot be reduced to misdemeanors. If you are facing charges for a straight felony, it is important to seek legal representation immediately.
Some examples of felonies in California include:
A felony conviction may result in penalties that include more than a year in jail, much longer prison sentences, fines of up to $10,000, and even death in certain situations. Some felonies can result in a sentence of felony probation and a year in jail. In addition, you may be ineligible for admission into certain educational programs and be denied professional licenses, so the impact can be lasting.
When a Misdemeanor Becomes a Felony
In California, certain misdemeanors can be elevated to felonies for a variety of reasons. This can happen based on the details of the alleged offense, prior convictions, and other circumstances, such as assault and battery on an alleged victim that is a member of a protected group. When a misdemeanor is elevated to a felony, you are facing harsher penalties and your record can’t be expunged.
Misdemeanors that can be elevated to felony charges are known as wobblers. When representing a client accused of a wobbler, we fight to have the offense charged as a misdemeanor. Our Salinas felonies attorney knows the local District Attorneys and judges, which is beneficial when negotiating plea bargains and seeking to have charges reduced to a misdemeanor.
What is the Minimum Sentence for a Felony in California?
The minimum sentence for a felony in California is up to three years in county jail, by a state prison sentence up to life (with or without the possibility of parole), or by the death penalty. If you plead guilty to a felony in California, you will be sentenced to the terms of your plea bargain. If a jury found you guilty after a trial, the judge must sentence you to the punishment prescribed according to applicable California state law. However, that state law is not as simple as looking up the punishment for a particular crime and sentencing you.
Do Felonies Go Away in California?
In California, felonies can go away from your record if you can get the felony expunged.
Planning Your Legal Defense
When you are charged with a felony, your legal defense and protecting your rights are extremely important. The best way to start is by invoking your right to an attorney before questioning by police. You may think you are helping by attempting to show that you are innocent, but statements made to police are used by prosecutors and it is easy to say the wrong thing in extremely stressful situations.
Our Salinas felonies lawyer fights to protect your rights and advocates for you at every phase of the legal process. Whether disputing aspects of your arrest, negotiating a plea bargain, or preparing a strong defense for your trial, you can rest assured that our criminal defense attorney will provide the most effective legal representation possible for your situation.
California classifies criminal offenses as misdemeanors or felonies. The most serious crimes are considered straight felonies, which means the charges cannot be reduced to misdemeanors. If you are facing charges for a straight felony, it is important to seek legal representation immediately.
Some examples of felonies in California include:
- Murder
- Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence
- Rape
- Lewd acts with a child under 14
- Sale of a controlled substance
A felony conviction may result in penalties that include more than a year in jail, much longer prison sentences, fines of up to $10,000, and even death in certain situations. Some felonies can result in a sentence of felony probation and a year in jail. In addition, you may be ineligible for admission into certain educational programs and be denied professional licenses, so the impact can be lasting.
When a Misdemeanor Becomes a Felony
In California, certain misdemeanors can be elevated to felonies for a variety of reasons. This can happen based on the details of the alleged offense, prior convictions, and other circumstances, such as assault and battery on an alleged victim that is a member of a protected group. When a misdemeanor is elevated to a felony, you are facing harsher penalties and your record can’t be expunged.
Misdemeanors that can be elevated to felony charges are known as wobblers. When representing a client accused of a wobbler, we fight to have the offense charged as a misdemeanor. Our Salinas felonies attorney knows the local District Attorneys and judges, which is beneficial when negotiating plea bargains and seeking to have charges reduced to a misdemeanor.
What is the Minimum Sentence for a Felony in California?
The minimum sentence for a felony in California is up to three years in county jail, by a state prison sentence up to life (with or without the possibility of parole), or by the death penalty. If you plead guilty to a felony in California, you will be sentenced to the terms of your plea bargain. If a jury found you guilty after a trial, the judge must sentence you to the punishment prescribed according to applicable California state law. However, that state law is not as simple as looking up the punishment for a particular crime and sentencing you.
Do Felonies Go Away in California?
In California, felonies can go away from your record if you can get the felony expunged.
Planning Your Legal Defense
When you are charged with a felony, your legal defense and protecting your rights are extremely important. The best way to start is by invoking your right to an attorney before questioning by police. You may think you are helping by attempting to show that you are innocent, but statements made to police are used by prosecutors and it is easy to say the wrong thing in extremely stressful situations.
Our Salinas felonies lawyer fights to protect your rights and advocates for you at every phase of the legal process. Whether disputing aspects of your arrest, negotiating a plea bargain, or preparing a strong defense for your trial, you can rest assured that our criminal defense attorney will provide the most effective legal representation possible for your situation.
About The Firm
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Over 200 Jury Trials to Verdict
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Areas of Practice
Handling Criminal Law Cases
Domestic Violence |
DUI |
Gun Crimes |
Drug Crimes
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Felonies
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Violent Crimes
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