A misdemeanor attorney can defend people charged with minor crimes. The term misdemeanor is used in the United States to broadly refer to crimes carrying a penalty of less than one year in jail. Although it is a minor crime, a misdemeanor is still an arrestable offense, which is why it is important to have a Missouri lawyer in your corner.
In U.S. law, a misdemeanor is a criminal offense that is less serious than a felony. Misdemeanors generally carry penalties such as fines, probation, community service, or a jail sentence of less than one year. Like every state, Missouri has its own laws and classifications for misdemeanors.
In the state of Missouri, misdemeanors are divided into four classes, from A to D, with D being the least severe and only punishable by fines. Common examples of misdemeanors across all classes include:
Keep in mind that misdemeanors are arrestable offenses. After being booked in at the station, the arrested person (the defendant in the case) will be permitted a phone call to arrange a misdemeanor attorney. The attorney, in turn, arranges bail and negotiates for reduced charges.
A misdemeanor becomes more serious when the defendant has been convicted of it before. In legal terms, this is known as a repeat offender. For example, DWI is a class B misdemeanor on the first conviction, but it is raised to a class A misdemeanor if the defendant already has a DWI conviction on their record in the past five years. If they have more than one, they will be facing a felony DWI conviction. It is crucial to have a misdemeanor attorney on your side for any charge, especially those that can be elevated to felonies later on.
A misdemeanor attorney fights for the rights of the defendant, working to ensure that they are not treated unfairly or made an example of in court. In action, this looks like consulting with the defendant, negotiating the charges with law enforcement, and arranging bail. These Missouri lawyers will then start preparing a defense for court, and they will attend court with the defendant. In general, they will do most of the talking with the police and the judge, arguing throughout the process for reduced charges with lighter consequences. If there is a conviction, the attorney can help the defendant navigate the consequences.
Anyone facing minor charges needs the help of a misdemeanor attorney. However, it is important to find one that you can feel confident in. Having the right Missouri lawyer on your side to represent you can make all the difference in an encounter with the judiciary. Consult Dean Price Law to learn more about how we can help in a misdemeanor case.
For more information or to schedule a consultation with us, call our Springfield office at (417) 865-2181. Call Dean Price Law today. NOTE: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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