Accused of a Misdemeanor

The following details the unique rights and procedures for those accused of a misdemeanor.

What is a Misdemeanor?

A misdemeanor is more serious than an infraction yet less serious than a felony.  Although generally accompanied by fines, misdemeanor charges may sometimes result in jail time.  Some common examples of misdemeanors include: petty theft, prostitution, public intoxication, driving under the influence, simple assault, disorderly conduct, trespass, and vandalism.

Under California law, the maximum punishment for a misdemeanor charge is one year in county jail.  The California Criminal Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich advice every prospective client to consult with an attorney before entering his/her plea in a misdemeanor case.  The plea may have significant effects on the direction of the case, thus communicating with a California Criminal Defense Lawyer before entering a plea is of utmost importance.

Most misdemeanor cases permit the defendant’s attorney to appear on his/her behalf.  If permitted, the defendant is not required to accompany his/her attorney to court, which is quite helpful for defendants who cannot miss work or school to attend court.

Bail

If the defendant is in custody, he/she will have access to bail, which is set forth in the county bail schedule. See Bail for more information.

Pretrial Conference

insufficient evidence - misdemeanor
During a pretrial conference, your attorney can challenge the evidence against you

The pretrial conference occurs after the arraignment and provides the defense attorney an opportunity to negotiate a plea offer or convince the prosecutor to drop the charges completely.  During the pretrial conference, the defense lawyer may discuss the weaknesses and flaws in the prosecution’s case in the hope that doing so will prompt the prosecutor to drop the case entirely.  In addition, an experienced California Criminal Defense Attorney at Wallin & Klarich will introduce mitigating factors in the hope that doing so will prompt the prosecutor to make a more lenient offer.  Mitigating factors may include the defendant’s providing restitution to the victim, attending counseling sessions, and/or obtaining awards or accolades for his/her work.

Speedy Trial Rights

If the defendant is charged and not in custody at the time of his/her arraignment, he/she has a right to trial within forty-five days of the arraignment date.  If the defendant is charged and in custody at the time of his/her arraignment, he/she has a right to trial within thirty days of the arraignment date.  The right to a speedy trial can be waived to grant the defense counsel sufficient time to prepare for the case.

Call Wallin & Klarich Today

Consulting with a California Criminal Defense Lawyer at Wallin & Klarich is the most effective way a defendant can ensure that his/her right to a speedy trial is honored.

If you are charged with a misdemeanor or believe you may face a misdemeanor charge in the near future, please contact the California Criminal Defense Lawyers of Wallin & Klarich by calling (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 or by submitting the form at the top of this page.

  • Contact Us Now

    If you or a loved one have been accused of a crime, now is the time to contact us.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SCHEDULE YOUR free consultation

If you or a loved one have been accused of a crime, this is the time to contact us.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.