 ■ COLORADO SPRINGS MISDEMEANOR ATTORNEY
Depending on the severity of the crime you commit, you will either face felony charges or misdemeanor charges. In general, less serious criminal offenses are considered misdemeanors, while severe and violent criminal offenses are labeled as felonies. If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, you should contact a Colorado Springs Criminal Defense Attorney immediately to prevent escalating charges and unnecessary jail time.
Misdemeanors are often victimless crimes such as disorderly conduct, trespassing, prostitution or public intoxication, and they often come with a year or less of jail time. If this is your first offense, a quality criminal defense attorney may be able to negotiate less severe punishments like mandatory education, probation and community service.
In the state of Colorado, misdemeanor crimes are separated into 3 classes depending on the severity of the crime and the punishment involved.
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Class One Misdemeanors: Class one misdemeanors are the most severe with 18 months imprisonment and/or $5000 fine. In some situations, a judge may even choose to extend the penalty to longer than 18 months if the crime is determined to be an “extraordinary risk crime”.
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Class Two Misdemeanors: Class two misdemeanors are less severe by nature and come with a maximum 12 months imprisonment and/or a thousand dollar fine.
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Class Three Misdemeanors: Class three misdemeanors come with a maximum of 6 months imprisonment and/or a $750 fine.
In addition to possible jail time and hefty fines, misdemeanor charges often come with mandatory community service requirements and probationary periods.
Even though misdemeanor crimes are less severe than felonies, they can have devastating and far-reaching consequences. Misdemeanor convictions can significantly hamper a person’s ability to find a job. Many companies will not hire someone with a criminal record, no matter how small, and some professional licenses may even be revoked based on a misdemeanor conviction. In addition, if you are sentenced to jail time, your incarceration can place a tremendous amount of pressure and burden on family members left behind. Without proper legal representation, you may find yourself paying much too high of a price for the crime you committed.
You should never have to face criminal charges alone, no matter how small. If you are charged with a misdemeanor anywhere in the El Paso County area, contact a Colorado Springs Criminal Defense Attorney immediately. A skilled criminal defense attorney will be on your side to help you avoid exorbitant fees and unnecessary jail time. |
