Reduction of Charges

Cleaning Up Your Criminal Record – Reduce Your Felony Charge or Conviction to a Misdemeanor – California Penal Code Section 17(b)

If you qualify, an experienced criminal defense attorney can submit a motion that may persuade a court to reduce your felony conviction to a less severe misdemeanor. Your offense, however, needs to be a “wobbler” in that it must have been possible to charge it as either a felony or a misdemeanor. It is also required that you had been granted probation upon your conviction.

Factors That Are Considered in Reducing a Felony to a Misdemeanor

Granting a Section 17(b) motion is completely within the discretion of the judge. Having your felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor is not as simple as fulfilling all the necessary requirements; it ultimately comes down to persuading the judge that you are worthy of this reduction. There are a number of factors that a sitting judge may consider when making that determination:

1. The nature of your felony offense; if it was a violent or non-violent crime,
2. How well you completed your probation requirements,
3. Your personal life history,
4. Your criminal record

Because the question of whether or not you can reduce your felony conviction to a misdemeanor hinges on the single determination of a judge, it is very important that you have a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney pleading on your behalf. Our experienced attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been representing clients in this capacity for over 30 years. Call us today at 888-280-6839 or visit us online at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.