Best Strategies to Stay Out of Jail
Criminal charges in California are primarily divided into either a misdemeanor or felony offenses. The type of charge will dictate the potential for jail time and fines. The less serious misdemeanor offense is any crime for which the maximum sentence is not more than one year in the county jail.
Many people who were charged with a misdemeanor make the mistake of failing to get legal advice from a criminal defense lawyer attorney because they don't believe it's necessary.
However, California misdemeanor charges can result in harsh consequences, including jail time and hefty fines. Further, a criminal record can impact your ability to remain employed, maintain specific jobs, and even qualify for a loan.
Common California Misdemeanor Crimes
Some of the most common misdemeanor crimes in the state of California include the following:
- Vehicle Code 23152 VC – DUI,
- Health and Safety Code 11350 HS – drug possession,
- Penal Code 243(e)(1) PC – domestic battery,
- Penal Code 273.6 PC – violating a restraining order,
- Penal Code 459.5 – shoplifting,
- Penal Code 647(b) – solicitation of prostitution,
- Penal Code 415 PC – disturbing the peace,
- Penal Code 602 PC – trespassing,
- Penal Code 314 PC – indecent exposure,
- Penal Code 240 PC – assault.
Common California Felony Crimes
California's more severe felony offense is described as any crime with a maximum penalty of more than one year in custody. Being charged with a felony is much more powerful than a misdemeanor.
Put simply, if you were arrested and charged with a felony crime, then you need to retain an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away. A felony conviction carries long-term consequences, such as prison time, large fines, restitution, and will prevent holding certain types of employment.
Some of the most common felony crimes prosecuted in the state of California include the following:
- Penal Code 245(a)(1) PC – assault with a deadly weapon,
- Penal Code 243(d) PC – aggravated assault,
- Penal Code 322 PC – child pornography,
- Penal Code 273.5 PC – corporal injury to a spouse,
- Penal Code 207/209 PC – kidnapping,
- Penal Code 261 PC – rape,
- Health and Safety Code 11351 HS – drug sales,
- Penal Code 487 PC – grand theft,
- Penal Code 187 PC – murder,
- Penal Code 211 PC – robbery.
Coronavirus and Overcrowding Impact on Jail Time in LA County
Many people are scared to death of going to jail in Los Angeles County, and that's because jail is no laughing matter. There are violent criminals in the Los Angeles county jail, and they do not segregate people. Meaning once you go in there, you're going in with all the population, typically.
It takes a while before they start sending people to different facilities who might be more violent. So, I understand people not wanting to go to jail and avoid jail at all costs.
As I make this post, one great thing is you do have some luck on your side because of the COVID-19 virus and overcrowding, prosecutors, judges, and police don't want people in jail right now because there's not enough room.
People are right on top of each other. You're 15 more times likely to get the Coronavirus than if you are not in jail. They don't have a room. In a lot of cases, you have situations where they're not shipping people to prison right now, even though they've got a prison sentence because they don't want to spread the Coronavirus. So, that's one good thing on your side.
Retain the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer
The next thing is going to be a skill. That means you have the best criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles that money can buy on your side. This is no time to skimp. If you're going to do it, you do it once; you do it right; you never do it again. You've come to the right place. I've been doing this for almost three decades.
One of the biggest concerns on clients' minds is that you have criminal cases in Los Angeles is they do not want to go into custody. Not only for safety reasons, as I've mentioned, but also because they've got a job, they've got a family. They have responsibilities and things, so they do not want to go into LA county jail.
Type of California Crime and Criminal Record
Other factors that are going to decide if you go into the Los Angeles County jail system include the following:
- your criminal record,
- the type of crime that you have committed, and
- the type of punishment that makes sense for your case.
That's why it's so important to get a criminal defense attorney with a lot of experience because a lot of times, I can come up with angles and strategies that make sense to the prosecutors and judge why you shouldn't go into jail.
Example
For example, sometimes I have clients that have stolen a lot of money from people, such as a Penal Code 503 embezzlement case, theft, and various misdemeanor and felony theft-related offenses.
I will tell the judge, listen, how will they ever pay the money back if you put them in jail? They're going to lose their job and ability to pay the people around, and then the victim doesn't get compensated for the loss.
Instead, let's come up with a different strategy. Let's give them some time to pay this money back and keep them out on the streets so they can work. That's just one small strategy example that can be employed to keep you out of jail under the right circumstances.
Criminal Defense for Crimes in Los Angeles
So, if you're trying to stay out of jail and you have a criminal case pending in Los Angeles, pick up the phone now. Take the first step. Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding. I handle cases in San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles criminal courthouses.
Those people who commit crimes in the San Fernando Valley don't want to go to jail either because they will serve their jail time in either LA county jail on Bouche Street, Twin Towers across the street from LA county jail, or Wayside. Those are the three facilities in LA county.
If you commit your crime in the county of Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley or downtown Los Angeles, or any of the surrounding areas that are part of Los Angeles County, you're going into one of those three jails.
They're overcrowded, they're dangerous, they're unsanitary, they're unhealthy. Make your move now. Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding. The Hedding Law Firm is based in Los Angeles County, and or firm offers a free case review by phone, or you can fill out our contact form.
