Trusted San Diego Misdemeanor Lawyer

Liberty Lawyers has decades of combined in experience in representing and defending all kinds of misdemeanor charges including trespass, burglary and assault charges. We are committed to defending pleas of not guilty in court, with a proven track record of success, and are also prepared to present guilty pleas to the court with the strongest reasons to minimise penalties.

What is a misdemeanor?

Misdemeanors are criminal offenses that are more serious than infractions but less serious than felonies. The punishment for misdemeanors can be a fine and/or prison time in the county jail.

How are misdemeanors punished in San Diego?

The penalty for being convicted of a misdemeanor depends upon what type of offense has been charged. There are three categories of misdemeanors, outlined below from strictest to lightest.

High or ‘gross’ misdemeanors (also called Criminal Class A misdemeanors) are treated similarly to lighter felonies and are punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment and significant fines.

These serious misdemeanors include:

Assault causing bodily injury
Burglary
Possession of a controlled substance
Unlawful possession of a weapon
DUI with no bodily injury
Violation of restraining order
Resisting arrest
Perjury

Ordinary misdemeanors (or Criminal Class B misdemeanors) are non-violent crimes that are punished less severely. The prosecution and the court will take the defendant’s character and potential criminal record into account when determining the severity of the punishment.

Ordinary misdemeanors include:

Criminal mischief
Criminal trespass
Prostitution
Indecent exposure
Graffiti
Theft of property worth between $50 and $500
Certain terrorist threats
Certain types of assault

Petty misdemeanors (Criminal Class C misdemeanors) are minor offenses and usually do not receive prison time unless there is a reason for offenders to have the sentences increased.

Petty misdemeanors include:

Certain types of assault
Theft of property worth less than $50
Reckless damage or destruction
Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle
Issuing a bad check
Falsely reporting a missing child or person
Disorderly conduct

Have you have been charged with or arrested for a misdemeanor in San Diego?

Although misdemeanor cases are not as serious as felony charges, they can still impact your life tremendously. The risk of jail time and hefty fines means that there is no time to waste.

On top of any financial loss or wasted months in prison, a criminal record with a misdemeanor conviction could potentially limit your future employment opportunities and civil rights.

If you have been charged with assault, burglary, trespass, possession of weapons or drugs, resisting arrest, graffiti or any other misdemeanor it is imperative that you find a criminal defense attorney to help you decide your best course of action.

At your arraignment you must choose whether to plead guilty or not guilty; a not guilty plea will lead to a jury trial. In either case, you will need a misdemeanor defense lawyer skilled in persuasion to either have the charges against you dismissed, or to argue for the court to award you the lightest possible punishments if you are convicted.

About our misdemeanor defense law firm:

Liberty Lawyers boasts decades of combined experience in criminal law defense proceedings. Our skilled misdemeanor attorneys will work with you through every stage of the process, from pre-trial investigations and bail proceedings until your case is dismissed or sentenced.

We understand that every legal situation is unique and are prepared to take the time to fully investigate each individual case and charge. Our defense lawyers will tailor their advice towards your own particular situation, fighting to have your charges minimized or dismissed and persuading the court to limit penalties if sentencing is unavoidable.

Our Misdemeanor Defense Service includes the following offenses:

Assault causing bodily injury
DUI with no bodily injury
Burglary
Criminal mischief
Criminal trespass
Possession of a controlled substance
Unlawful possession of a weapon
Prostitution
Indecent exposure
Theft of property worth up to $500
Reckless damage or destruction
Graffiti
Disorderly conduct
Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle
Falsely reporting a missing child or person
Violation of restraining order
Resisting arrest
Issuing a bad check
Perjury
Certain terrorist threats
Certain types of assault

Our misdemeanor defense attorneys serve San Diego and surrounding areas. The sooner you reach out to us, the better we will be able to use our accomplished team to protect your interests and fight against your charges.

There is no time to waste, and criminal charges are too serious to settle for anything less than an outstanding legal defense team. Call us now for a free consultation at (619) 236-3400.