Why Hire an Oakland, CA Felony Lawyer
When you’ve been charged with a felony, a solid criminal defense attorney is recommended to help clear your name.
Here’s how an attorney helps you.
They Fight to Protect Your Rights
Law enforcement officials could have violated your rights during your arrest. Whether they failed to read you your Miranda rights or they arrested you after an illegal search and seizure, your felony lawyer will scrutinize the officer’s conduct to ensure your constitutional rights are upheld.
They Craft a Solid Felony Defense Strategy
The prosecution will work diligently to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A felony lawyer fights to dismantle the prosecution’s arguments and create doubt in your case. Your felony lawyer also advises you on how to best approach your case and guides you through the criminal process.
They Thoroughly Investigate Your Case
Your felony defense attorney will need compelling evidence to fight your charges. This might include reviewing the crime scene, interviewing witnesses, or examining physical and forensic evidence to find inconsistencies or discrepancies in the state’s felony case against you.
Seth Morris is a considerate and brilliant lawyer. Couldn't recommend him more!
Common Types of Felony Crimes in the Bay Area
Our felony lawyers have experience with many felony crimes. The facts of your case will determine the severity of your charges. Common felony crimes include:
- Murder under California Penal Code § 187
- Rape under California Penal Code § 261
- Voluntary manslaughter under California Penal Code § 192(a)
- False imprisonment under California Penal Code § 236
- Child pornography under California Penal Code § 311.11
- Aggravated battery under California Penal Code § 243(d)
- Kidnapping under California Penal Code § 207
- Torture under California Penal Code § 206
Penalties for an Oakland Felony Conviction
The consequences you can be stuck dealing with after a felony conviction can vary considerably depending on the specific details of your case. Many felony convictions can carry low, middle, and high prison terms. The judge makes the final decision at their discretion during your sentencing.
For example, a burglary conviction could result in two, four, or six years in prison. Suppose aggravating factors are present, such as a child being involved, use of a weapon, lack of remorse, or a victim enduring serious bodily injury. In that case, you could face harsher sentencing.
However, not every felony charge carries specific sentence terms. In these cases, you could be sentenced pursuant to California Penal Code § 1170(h), which allows county jail terms of sixteen months, two or three years. It is important to work with a skilled felony defense lawyer in Oakland to help avoid or minimize these penalties.
Collateral Consequences of a Felony Conviction
Other criminal penalties and collateral consequences you could face if convicted of a felony in Oakland, CA include:
- Fines as high as $10,000
- Probation or parole requirements
- Community service
- Citizenship or immigration issues
- Random drug or alcohol testing
- Court-ordered anger management treatment
- Trouble finding a job
- Difficulty finding affordable housing
- Child custody issues
- Court-ordered substance abuse treatment
Wobbler Crimes: When Can You Face Felony Charges?
A wobbler crime is a crime that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the facts of your case. Aggravating factors that exist in your case will ultimately determine your charges.
Straight Felonies
Straight felonies are crimes that cannot be reduced to or charged as misdemeanors. Some examples of straight felonies include:
Felonies That Could Be Reduced to Misdemeanors
Some examples of felonies that could be reduced to misdemeanors include:
- Sexual battery under California Penal Code § 243.4
- Domestic violence under California Penal Code § 273.5
- Assault with a deadly weapon under California Penal Code § 245(a)(1)
- Vandalism under California Penal Code § 594
Felony Charges and California’s Three-Strike Law
Under California Penal Code § 667, California’s Three-Strike law refers to additional penalties a defendant can receive for being convicted of multiple serious or violent felonies. Each time a person is convicted of a serious or violent felony, they get another strike added to their record and additional penalties on top of their initial sentence.
For example, someone on their second strike could receive a double sentence under California Penal Code § 667.2, while a third striker could get twenty-five years to life in prison. If this is your third felony charge, the penalties you face could be far more severe than you previously thought.
Defense to Felony Charges in California
The specific defense strategy used in your case could vary depending on the type of felony you have been charged with.
Felony defense options that may be available to you include:
Self-Defense
A significant number of the felony crimes defendants face are violent crimes. This includes rape, murder, battery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. To avoid a conviction, your lawyer may be able to argue that you were acting in defense of yourself or others.
However, for this defense to be successful, your felony lawyer must show that you had reasonable belief that you or someone else was in immediate threat of serious bodily harm, and that your reaction included a reasonable use of force.
False Allegations
False accusations of criminal activity are far more common than people realize. People who are in the middle of custody battles, divorce, a messy break-up, and other tumultuous relationships may find themselves being falsely accused of serious felony offenses. Your attorney will be tasked with providing the court with evidence that your accuser had ulterior motives.
Unlawful Police Conduct
Police and law enforcement have been known to engage in unscrupulous tactics to build cases against defendants. If you were unlawfully stopped, police searched you or your property without permission or a warrant, or otherwise engaged in unlawful conduct, any evidence obtained during these acts should be deemed inadmissible at trial against you.
Charged with a Felony in Oakland? Contact Morris Law P.C. Today
As the most serious type of criminal charge, you’ll need a robust defense if you’re facing a felony. Attorney Seth Morris is dedicated to representing defendants facing all kinds of criminal charges, including felony offenses in Oakland, California. He’ll fight to protect your rights and secure the best outcome, even if the odds seem stacked against you.
Call 510-225-9955 or contact Morris Law today to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney in Oakland, CA.