Are You Facing Felony Charges?
Mesa Felony Defense Lawyer
Crimes in the state of Arizona fall under one of two categories – misdemeanors or felonies. When you are convicted of a crime, what happens to you depends on which category your crime comes under. A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and will have harsher penalties that could be imposed by the court. Felony offenses are further relegated to additional classifications, with the most serious felony being a Class 1 felony, on down to Class 6 felonies. The punishment connected with each classification reflects the seriousness of the crime committed. But if you are convicted of a felony of any classification, you will be facing imprisonment, fines, and a criminal record.
Once you have served your sentence and handled any other imposed penalties, you will undoubtedly find your life more difficult. Employment opportunities will be fewer, you might lose some basic civil rights, such as the right to vote and own a firearm, and you will have the stigma of being a felon. There are many ways a felony defense attorney in Mesa can help you if you are facing felony charges. They can bring actions that result in anything from a charge being dismissed to reducing penalties, wherever possible.
Classes of Felonies
If it’s your first felony conviction, the judge has the ability to sentence you to probation if he so chooses. Common exceptions to this are sex crimes, homicide, and other violent or weapon related crimes. But if you are facing a second or subsequent conviction, the judge generally cannot order probation but must sentence you to doing time within the minimum and maximum range for the class of your felony. There can be exceptions to this; a skilled, experienced Mesa felony defense attorney can fight to obtain a plea agreement. This has the possibility of probation being ordered instead of a prison sentence.
Classes Of Felonies
- A Class 1 felony is the most serious. You can be sentenced to 25 years to life as well as the death penalty. Murder is a Class 1 felony.
- A Class 2 felony can bring a sentence of up to 5 years in prison with probation and fines. These crimes include sales of narcotics, manslaughter, sexual assault, armed robbery, theft and more.
- A Class 3 felony can bring a sentence of up to 3 ½ years in prison with probation and fines. These crimes include auto theft, possession of marijuana intended for sale, selling stolen property, and more.
- A Class 4 felony can bring a sentence of 2 1/2 years in prison with probation and fines. These crimes include possession of narcotics or other dangerous drugs, forgery, I.D. theft, aggravated DUI, and more.
- A Class 5 felony can bring a sentence of 1 ½ years in prison with probation and fines. These crimes include credit card theft, fleeing a police officer, assaulting a police officer, and more.
- A Class 6 felony can bring a sentence of 1 year in prison with probation and fines. These crimes include possessing drug paraphernalia, aggravated DUI, resisting arrest, and more.
All the penalties noted above are for first-time offenders. Second or subsequent offenses can double or triple these penalties.
It’s extremely important to contact a felony defense attorney in Mesa if you have been charged with a felony. The attorneys at the Workman Law Group are highly qualified to defend felony criminal charges. We know how to present your case in the best light to the judge and jury, who must consider all the factors, including those that could result in a less extreme punishment. Your entire future rests on the aggressiveness and effectiveness of your legal team in developing and presenting your case. Call now.