Ventura Criminal
Defense Attorneys
The Law Offices of Krause & Hirschhorn, P.C., will aggressively defend your case to bring about the best possible outcome.
Types of Criminal Charges in California
In California, crimes are generally classified into three categories:
- Infractions: An infraction is an offense punishable by a maximum fine of $250.00 dollars and does not include a probationary term or jail. Most traffic tickets are infractions.
- Misdemeanors: A misdemeanor is defined as a crime for which the maximum sentence is no more than one year in county jail. A misdemeanor is more serious than an infraction but less serious than a felony. Misdemeanors fall into two basic categories: Standard misdemeanors, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000; and aggravated misdemeanors, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 or more.
- Felony: A felony is a crime that carries a maximum sentence of more than one year in jail or a prison sentence. The most serious felony, murder, can even be punishable by death. People convicted of a felony may also be fined up to $10,000 in addition to or instead of imprisonment.
There are also certain crimes known as “wobblers” in California. These are crimes which can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony (or, in some cases, a misdemeanor or an infraction). At the Law Offices of Krause & Hirschhorn, P.C., we focus our practice to protecting the rights of our clients and preserving their freedom. As career criminal defense lawyers, we have successfully defended many clients facing the following, whether they are felonies or misdemeanors:
