Felonies In California

The general definition of what constitutes a felony can be found in California Penal Code § 17(a). A felony is a crime that is punishable with death, by imprisonment in the state prison, or notwithstanding any other provision of law, by imprisonment in a county jail for more than one year.

In California, felonies are divided into two categories, straight felonies and wobblers. Straight felonies must always be charged as felonies no matter what the circumstances are surrounding the crime. This includes charges such as murder, rape and the sale of a controlled substance.

A wobbler is a felony charge that can be reduced to a misdemeanor depending on your criminal history, the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime and the quality of your legal representation. Felony charges that fall under the category of wobblers include assault, possessing a controlled substance and petty theft.

The Importance Of Hiring An Experienced Attorney

Except in cases where a different punishment is prescribed by any law of this state, every offense declared to be a felony is punishable by imprisonment for 16 months, or two or three years as provided in subdivision (h) of Section 1170.

If you were charged with a felony, hiring the right attorney is critical to protecting your rights and minimizing any potential penalties enforced. Attorney Jacob D. Zamora has a two-decade track record of success representing clients in felony cases. He fights relentlessly for his clients to reduce charges and penalties and, when possible, to get charges dropped.

Contact The Sierra Law Center, APC Today

If you are facing felony charges, contact attorney Jacob Zamora. Call 530-798-3548 or fill out the online contact form to set up a free initial consultation. The sooner you act, the more time you give attorney Zamora to gather evidence and build a strong defense, so call now.

Northern California | Felonies | Criminal Defense Attorney Jacob Zamora, Esq.