How Our Alameda Defense Lawyers Can Put Your Mind at Ease
There is no question that facing criminal charges is a stressful situation. While we can’t take all of your stress away, our team will do our utmost to make navigating your legal situation as low-stress as possible. We’re prepared to handle all the details of your defense by:
- Thoroughly investigating the underlying facts and circumstances of your charges to obtain all available evidence, rather than relying on evidence that is turned over by the state
- Explaining your charges and advising you of your legal options as well as the best-case, worst-case, and likely outcomes for your situation
- Developing factual and legal defenses and putting together a case strategy aimed at securing you the best possible outcome
- Challenging the prosecution’s case by moving to exclude any evidence that was obtained in violation of your rights and seeking to reduce or dismiss charges due to insufficient evidence
- Negotiating with prosecutors to obtain a plea deal (when appropriate) that avoids the most serious penalties that could stem from a conviction
- Representing you in all court hearings and aggressively defending your rights at trial if you choose to fight your charges and assert your innocence
Our Alameda criminal defense lawyers are prepared to work tirelessly to give you the greatest possible peace of mind during this challenging time.
Penalties for a Criminal Conviction in Alameda County
Penalties for a criminal conviction in Alameda County vary depending on the grading of the offense. Criminal offenses are graded as either misdemeanors or felonies.
Misdemeanors
Some misdemeanor offenses have a maximum penalty outlined in the criminal statute that governs the offense in question. Where a specific penalty is not prescribed, penalties range from six months to one year in jail and/or a fine of $1,000. In addition, California law further specifies that “one year” in jail means 364 days, so that offenders who are lawful permanent aliens avoid harsh immigration consequences that would come from having served 365 days in jail.
In many cases, a misdemeanor conviction does not include any jail time but is, instead, tied to other penalties such as probation, house arrest, community service, education classes, behavioral or substance abuse treatment, and fines and restitution.
Some crimes under California law are considered “wobbler” offenses, meaning that they can be charged as misdemeanors or as felonies, usually depending on the facts of the offense. Common wobblers include DUIs, domestic violence, assault, battery, and theft charges.
Felonies
Penalties for a felony conviction are dependent on whether the felony falls in the low-tier, mid-tier, or upper-tier for sentencing. Sentencing ranges for felony offenses depend both on the severity of the offense as well as the defendant’s prior criminal history, whether the person is on probation or parole, if there were any vulnerable victims involved, whether a weapon was used to execute the crime, or if the crime is considered a strike.
Low-tier felony offenses may result in prison terms that range from two to six years, while penalties for mid-tier felony offenses can range from three to eight years. Upper-tier felony convictions may result in penalties as significant as 20 years imprisonment, although the most severe crimes, such as murder, can have penalties such as life imprisonment without parole.
In addition to incarceration and fines, a criminal conviction can also result in other long-term consequences, such as:
- The loss of the right to own firearms, if you have been convicted of a felony offense
- The obligation to register as a sex offender, if you are convicted of certain sex-based offenses
- Disqualification from obtaining certain professional licenses or a greater likelihood of having applications for professional licenses denied
- Difficulty applying for employment, housing, or educational opportunities
It is partially because the stakes of a criminal case are so high that it is imperative that you speak with an attorney at our firm as soon as you can after being arrested. The sooner that we’re alerted to your situation, the sooner we can start defending your rights, protecting your reputation, and save you time from fixing something that could have been avoided by being proactive.
Our Alameda Criminal Defense Attorneys Have Your Back
Don’t leave your future to chance when you are facing the criminal justice system in the East Bay. Connect with a firm that has a reputation for getting the job done and ensuring that your story is told, and your rights are defended. Contact Lamano Law Office for a confidential consultation with our Alameda criminal defense attorneys to learn more about your options and about our approach to representation. We look forward to assisting you.
