Although the consequences of a misdemeanor conviction are less severe than those for a felony conviction, a misdemeanor charge should not be taken lightly.
For this reason, if you are charged with a misdemeanor in Muskogee, you should always contact an experienced attorney to advise you on how best to defend the charge.
Read further to learn the most common ways to defend a misdemeanor in Muskogee.
What is a Misdemeanor in Muskogee?
Misdemeanor crimes in Muskogee are offenses such as simple assault and battery, public intoxication and vandalism, for which the maximum penalty is a fine and up to 12 months in a county jail. In addition to the sentence given to you by the judge, if convicted, you may also face difficulty finding employment and housing, and you may also face the suspension of your driver’s license and certain professional licenses.
In addition, some misdemeanor convictions can lead to more serious charges later. For example, a first DUI arrest in Muskogee is normally charged as misdemeanor; however, a second or subsequent DUI arrest within a ten-year period may be charged as a felony. Therefore, a misdemeanor in Muskogee should be defended in as serious a manner as a felony arrest.
Defending a Misdemeanor in Muskogee
It is not unusual for misdemeanor suspects to elect to forego legal representation and represent themselves. Unfortunately, however, this decision often results in a less than desirable outcome.
A knowledgeable and experienced of a criminal defense attorney can help better defend a misdemeanor charge. Here are the most common strategies employed by an attorney in defending misdemeanor charge in Muskogee:
Getting the Charges Dropped
Firstly, just because you have been arrested does not mean that the state has to prosecute you. If your defense attorney can intervene with the state early enough, he may present factual or legal evidence that may persuade them not to proceed with the charges against you.
Getting the Charges Reduced
Secondly, the state’s attorney’s office may be willing to accept a plea bargain, wherein you agree to plead guilty in exchange for a reduction in the charge against you. This can often result in you spending little or no time in jail.
Obtaining a Deferred Sentence
You may also be eligible to receive a deferred sentence, whereby the state’s attorney agrees to dismiss the charges against you after a period of probation. If you commit no further offenses and comply with any other requirements of your probation, the charge against you will be dropped and it will not be included on your criminal record.
Obtaining a Suspended Sentence
Even if you do not qualify for a deferral, your attorney may be able to persuade the judge to suspend your sentence. Though you are convicted and sentenced to a period of time in jail, the judge may suspend your sentence upon your continued good behavior. As long as you do not reoffend, and you fully comply with any condition imposed upon you by the judge during sentencing, you will be able to avoid spending time in jail.
Low-cost Consultation: Muskogee Misdemeanor Defense Attorney
For a consultation with an experienced Muskogee criminal defense attorney in the Wirth Law Office – Muskogee, call today at (918) 913-0725, or call toll-free at 1-(888) 947-8452 (Wirth Law). If you prefer, you can use the box in the upper right-hand corner of this page to send a question or brief message.
