Orange County Criminal Defense Attorneys
Orange County Criminal Defense
ORANGE COUNTY RESOURCES
Orange County is home to over 3,010,000 people as of the 2010 census and is the sixth most heavily populated county in all of the United States. Orange County is home to not only a wide variety of people, but an array of criminal activity within its borders. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, crimes had decreased in 2010 for the county as a whole as well as for most individual cities located within Orange County. However, crime is still prevalent throughout the region. With a large mix of poor, middle class, and wealthy individuals, a variety of crimes are committed each day.
All of these crimes are punished under specific California Penal Codes and can result in both imprisonment and fines designated for each form of crimes. Orange County criminal defense attorney Jeremy Goldman is committed to defending the rights of criminal defendants and protecting them from the penalties they may suffer under California's criminal prosecution.
Understanding Misdemeanor and Felony Charges
Under California law, crimes are separated into two forms of charges: misdemeanors and felonies. This division is based on the seriousness of the crime and each have their restrictions on what penalties can be issued. Misdemeanors are seen as lesser criminal acts and are often punished by monetary fines and shorter prison sentences, depending on what the crime was. Many forms of crime are split between misdemeanor and felony due to the context of the criminal activity, such as drug possession often being a misdemeanor while drug trafficking being a felony. Felonies are crimes of high seriousness such as murder, rape, robbery, and burglary. These crimes are frequently punished with long-term prison sentences and heavy fines. While only first degree murder can be punished by the death penalty, all felonies carry serious penalties.
How Sentencing is Determined
When a defendant is found guilty, he or she is subject to penalties decided by the court of law depending on what the crime was charged as. However, the California Penal Code has set in place a strict guideline on the punishments that are allowable for each crime and while sentences can be reduced, they cannot be enhanced to more than the maximum punishment unless allowed by specific rules stated in the Penal Code. Misdemeanors do not frequently carry prison sentences greater than a year, but those found guilty of multiple crimes will face consecutive punishments decided for each crime.
California Three Strikes Law
Since 1994, California has carried out the Three Strikes Law, in which criminals convicted of their third felony crime can be punished by a life prison sentence with a possibility of parole after a long period of time. Compared to other states' Three Strikes Laws, California has the strictest law, with third strikes consisting of theft or assault resulting in life sentences amid much controversy. While not all defendants face Three Strikes punishments depending on the prosecution, those that do can be in danger of extreme penalties that result in a life in prison.
Orange County Probation
Probation can be seen as a second chance for those convicted of a crime to re-enter society and start a new life instead of spending years in prison. Probation is granted most often for first-time offenders and those convicted of a misdemeanor crime, with more serious offenses rarely seeing the chance for probation. In order to receive probation, a judge must believe that the subject does not pose a risk on probation and can benefit from not being in prison. However, probation comes with strict rules and stern penalties if the subject violates their guidelines. When a person commits a severe probation violation in OC, he or she can be sent to prison, either for the original sentence that he or she was penalized with or a lesser stay in prison.
Hiring an Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, all criminal charges are serious accusations that should be dealt with accordingly. Being convicted of a crime can result in not only heavy fines and prison time, but problems in one's personal relationships and career. As such, those facing criminal charges should seek the counsel of an experienced defense attorney. The Orange County criminal defense lawyer Jeremy N. Goldman can help if you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Southern California. Our knowledgeable law team is dedicated to protecting the rights of citizens and will apply their years of experience to helping your case. Call the Law Offices of Jeremy N. Goldman today for a consultation on your case at (800) 349-1619.
