It is always a scary thing to find yourself accused or charged with a crime. Not only do you have to worry about the consequences you may face, but also your family and loved ones. You could be looking at anything from a fine to serious prison time, and it is not always obvious what you will receive.
Criminal penalties can affect your life, your livelihood, and your reputation. Understanding them is vital, especially when you find yourself charged with a crime. Talking with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer may be the best way to understand what could happen to you from someone who will do all they can to prevent or lessen it. You may not always be able to avoid consequences, but you can at least soften the impact a guilty verdict has on your life.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony Penalties
Criminal charges are largely grouped into two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. A misdemeanor offense is a more minor crime, such as petty theft, vandalism, drunk driving, or assault. They carry lesser sentences, usually a fine or light jail time.
A felony offense, on the other hand, is a more severe crime, including arson, murder, theft, and crimes of that nature. A felony will be much harder to defend and carry heavy fines and prison sentences.
Though the difference seems easy to understand, what constitutes one versus the other can be confusing. For example, an assault charge can become a felony if a weapon is involved. There are factors that can heighten or lower your charge based on the circumstances of the crime.
Can Aggravating Factors Impact My Case?
Aggravating factors can and often do impact your case, elevating the penalties or even changing a misdemeanor to a felony. The nature of the crime and your actions after arrest have a major impact on the judge’s ultimate decision, so it is best to work with your criminal defense lawyer and be on your best behavior.
Just as there are aggravating factors, there are also mitigating factors. You can ease the sentencing, facing far more lenient consequences than you originally expected. For example, if you are only an accomplice in a crime, your sentence will be lighter.
Collateral Consequences After Your Sentence
Even after you have finished your sentence, be that paying your fines, performing your community service, or serving prison time, your conviction can stay with you for a while. In most cases, your charge will go on your permanent criminal record. This stays with you forever, coming up on any background check. In some cases, this can be expunged or removed, but you cannot count on this.
Applying to colleges, getting professionally licensed, finding employment, and renting a house or apartment will all be affected. None of these things will be impossible, but your conviction will almost certainly come up and affect how others view you.
If you are in the process of immigrating, a criminal conviction will seriously affect your ability to move forward. In some cases, immigration may become entirely impossible. The right to vote and to own a gun can be limited or taken away if you are convicted of a crime.
Speak With Your Criminal Attorney About Your Possible Defenses Today
If you are facing a criminal conviction and are worried you are out of options, a criminal defense attorney may still be able to help you. There are options such as an appeal to lighten criminal consequences, and you may be able to have some crimes stricken from your record entirely.
Troxell Law is a Colorado-based legal team that is ready to help you push back when you are accused of a crime. When you are ready to get help, reach out for a consultation by calling or completing our online contact form.