Misdemeanor offenses are typically crimes with a punishment of incarceration of 12 months or less. In these cases, the jail term is served in a local or a county jail. In addition to jail time, there are other penalties that are the result of a misdemeanor. These penalties can include:
- Expensive fines
- Community service
- Probation
- The mandatory attendance of rehabilitation programs
In most cases, those who are charged with a misdemeanor do not lose their civil rights; however, they may suffer the loss of certain privileges. For example, someone who is charged with driving under the influence or reckless driving may lose his driver's license for a specific period of time. These consequences are referred to as collateral consequences of criminal charges.
The type of penalties that are given for misdemeanors depends on two factors. The first is the type of crime, and the second is the state in which the crime is committed. Each state has its own stipulations for the penalties that are associated with different misdemeanors.
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, a lawyer can seek to have your charges reduced or dismissed. If you have received such a charge in the Palm Springs area, you are going to want to have a lawyer represent you who has experience defending misdemeanors. The Law Office of Joseph T. Rhea has experience defending thousands of misdemeanor charges, and they will build a defense for you toward the goal of obtaining the best outcome possible.
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, contact the Law Office of Joseph T. Rhea as possible. Attorney Rhea will assess your case and start creating your defense right away.