San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, the type of charge you are facing will impact how harsh your punishments will be. Also, the level at which you are charged can have far-reaching implications for your life long after you serve your time and pay your fines. For example, a misdemeanor charge may be considered a lesser crime in the eyes of others, and it will come with milder punishments than a felony. Felony offenses can come with steep fines and hefty jail sentences, not to mention being considered a “felon” can be a black mark on your reputation for the rest of your life.
After being arrested and charged with a crime, your best possibility of securing the most advantageous outcomes is to work with an experienced attorney. When you choose your lawyer, do your research because not all attorneys are the same; just because you can secure one for a lesser expense does not mean you will be getting quality legal counsel. In many cases, including with your legal representation, what you get is what you pay for. When you want a qualified and seasoned attorney with a proven track record of success in California representing your best interests, you can count on the San Diego criminal defense attorney at The Law Offices of David M. Boertje.
Why You Want Your Charges Reduced
It may seem like a small thing to have a California felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor since all criminal charges come with penalties. But, this is not true. There are several reasons why you should do whatever you can to find a way to get your charges reduced if it is not possible to have them dropped. Having an attorney by your side who knows how to do this is essential.
Consider the following implications that can impact the rest of your life even after you serve the time that will come with a felony conviction:
- When you apply for a job, your background check will show your criminal record, but if your application asks if you have ever been charged with a felony, you can honestly answer the question with a solid no.
- Convicted felons have a much harder time obtaining a bank loan.
- A felony conviction may come with probation time after your release from prison. This means you are not completely free, even on the outside. Just one slip up could send you back to prison.
- You will lose the ability to legally own a firearm.
- Inability to obtain an active professional license.
- Building relationships with new people can be challenging because your felony conviction may scare people off from wanting to get to know you.