The following criminal law overview is provided to give our readers succinct, helpful information about what to expect from the criminal justice system. A Sigal Law Group criminal defense attorney can explain the specific aspects of an individual's case within this context, in much greater detail and with highly knowledgeable advice.

Felonies

Felonies in California (as elsewhere) are the more serious class of criminal offenses, with significant potential jail or prison time. Felony offenses include:

• drug crimes
• both violent and nonviolent crimes with prior convictions
• sex-related crimes (e.g., rape, sexual abuse of a child)
• white-collar crimes (such as embezzlement, identity theft, fraud)

Felonies can also count against an individual under California's "three strikes" law, with its increase in punishment for each subsequent felony. It is truly in a person's best interests to have a skilled defense lawyer fighting any felony charges.

Misdemeanors

Although misdemeanors are sometimes thought of as "less serious" than felonies, a misdemeanor conviction can still have very serious effects on one's life, starting with jail time and a fine up to $1,000 and following you with a negative impact on your ability to get the education, job and home that you want.

Examples of the vast number of misdemeanors in California include:

• some probation violations
• driving without a valid license
• disorderly conduct
• initial DUI offenses
• solicitation of prostitution
• violation of a restraining order and other domestic violence offenses

"Wobbler" Offenses

In California, some crimes can be charged by a prosecutor as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Examples of these offenses, sometimes referred to as "wobblers," include:

• indecent exposure
• petty theft
• loaded firearm in a public place
• spousal abuse

An individual could be arrested for a felony offense but then be charged with a misdemeanor, or the other way around — misdemeanor arrest, felony charge. Here again, it's crucial to have an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, working toward reducing your criminal charge exposure.

Federal Crimes

Federal criminal charges are issued by a prosecutor working for the United States government. The federal criminal law system is different from the California system, but it is no less harsh. It includes felonies and misdemeanors, and the cases are processed in different courts. There is a federal courthouse in Los Angeles, and Sigal Law Group's criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience counseling individuals dealing with federal criminal matters here.

Violent Crimes

Violent crimes — whether state or federal charges — have the most severe penalties, up to life imprisonment and capital punishment (the death penalty). However, the incidents that give rise to charges of violence often have more than one interpretation; the victim, the accused, and witnesses may each claim a different version of the events. A skilled criminal defense attorney conducts a thorough investigation (beyond that of the law enforcement) and provides the strategies that will minimize the negative impact of a violent crimes charge.

Domestic Abuse

As with violent crimes, there are often conflicting reports regarding an instance of domestic abuse. A Sigal Law Group defense attorney strives to obtain the whole picture and provide the best possible defense to charges such as:

• spousal abuse
• assault and battery
• forced sexual acts
• stalking
• violation of a restraining order

Domestic violence is prosecuted very vigorously in California.

Drug Crimes

Drug crimes, in the state of California, are considered very serious matters and almost always carry severe penalties. Even if this is your first offense- you are arrested for a drug-related crime, it is in your best interest to have an aggressive criminal defense attorney fighting on your behalf.

Some of the drug crimes that are harshly prosecuted include:

• Drug possession
• Distribution of drugs
• Drug manufacturing
• Drug trafficking
• Possession with the intent to sell
  

DUI

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substances (DUI) is a crime in California, and a defense attorney is a must for anyone charged with DUI. The penalties for DUI depend on a number of factors, such as:

• prior offenses (such as DUI, driving recklessly or with a suspended license)
• the age of the accused
• his or her blood alcohol content
• the circumstances regarding the driving
• the existence of accompanying charges (such as manslaughter, homicide, property damage)
• whether other persons, especially minors, were in the vehicle

White Collar Crimes

The term "white collar crimes" may sound lightweight, but these offenses include both misdemeanors and felonies that carry heavy penalties, including long-term incarceration. Examples of white collar crimes are:

• bribery
• computer crimes
• embezzlement
• forgery
• fraud
• identity theft
• perjury

No matter what type of criminal charges you're facing or the phase of the criminal justice process you're at, you will benefit greatly from the involvement of the experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Sigal Law Group.

Contact a Van Nuys criminal law attorney at our offices today for a free consultation.