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.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Misdemeanor Attorney in Springfield, MO.
Asking the right questions is knowing half of the answers, and a traffic offense lawyer is the person to ask if accused of any such offense in Missouri. In the U.S., traffic laws can be different from one state to another. So, asking your Missouri lawyer the right questions is critical in understanding your legal…
A felony law firm defends people charged with serious crimes. Upon making an arrest, police are obliged to inform the person of their Miranda Rights. These include the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. This means that the arrested person is not obliged to answer any police questions until they have…
A defense lawyer specializes in helping people charged with serious crimes. The defense lawyer works for the accused person, not for the police. The lawyer is there to uphold the legal rights of the person, as part of due process in any criminal proceeding. A defense lawyer is a person for the accused to speak…
A sex crime lawyer handles the legal defense of a person accused of such a crime. The lawyer argues for the defendant’s rights, attends police interviews, and represents them in court. Sex crime cases are extremely emotive, involving as they do severe, lasting harm to the victim. Of all the people involved, a sex crime…
Knowing the right questions to ask your traffic offense lawyer is crucial. The seriousness of…
If you are facing criminal charges, you should speak to a felony law firm immediately.…
Anyone accused of a crime needs to speak to a defense lawyer as soon as…
Being accused of a sex crime is serious, even when innocent. A sex crime lawyer…
Anyone charged with any form of murder needs a homicide attorney.
A felony law firm specializes in defending people who are facing felony charges. Anyone accused…
