Some people think that getting charged with a misdemeanor isn’t that big of a deal, but you don’t have to get a felony conviction to go to jail. Many types of misdemeanor charges can result in a stay in prison. You need to defend yourself and you have to figure out the best way to push back against any accusations that have been leveled against you. Our Dallas County criminal lawyers may be able to help you.
What Are the Potential Punishments for a Misdemeanor?
There are actually three classifications of misdemeanor charges and different potential penalties to go along with them. The three categories and their potential punishments are:
Simple: This is the least serious type of misdemeanor. Crimes in this category can be punished with up to 30 days in jail and a fine between $105 and $850.
Serious: These types of crimes can be punished with up to one year in jail and a fine between $430 and $2,565.
Aggravated: The court issues harsher punishments for this kind of misdemeanor. A fine of $850 to $8,540 can be ordered along with a prison sentence of up to two years.
What Crimes Can Be Considered a Misdemeanor?
There are many types of crimes that can be charged as a misdemeanor. Some common examples include:
- Driving with a suspended license
- Disorderly conduct
- Assault
- Drug possession
- Shoplifting
- Trespassing
- OWI
Depending on the type of crime, you could be charged for a more or less consequential type of crime. For example, assault can be charged as a simple, serious, or aggravated misdemeanor while driving with disorderly conduct is probably only going to be considered a simple misdemeanor.
Can I Get a Misdemeanor Conviction Removed From My Record?
Not all types of misdemeanor crimes can be removed from your criminal record. Generally, it’s only possible to get a conviction expunged if you obtained a deferred judgment. This means that instead of going to jail when convicted, you were assigned probation. If you successfully completed your probation, you may be able to ask to have a crime expunged after keeping an otherwise clean record for the next two years.
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
An attorney can help you defend yourself from these charges and potentially keep you out of jail. The goal is to beat the charges completely, but if that is not possible your attorney might be able to secure a plea deal. This would mean admitting guilt in exchange for a lesser sentence, like probation instead of jail time. A defense lawyer cannot make any promises, but you can be sure that we will fight for the best possible outcome.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you want to learn more about what our attorneys can do for you, contact Iowa Defenders and schedule a case consultation. Every case is different, so we want to hear about your situation and help you find a defensive strategy that could help you avoid jail time and other harsh punishments.
