A misdemeanor offense, while not being of the most serious classification of crime, still has the potential to result in imprisonment, fines, and a major disturbance to your day-to-day life. If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor, you’re not alone. Tens of thousands of misdemeanor cases are filed in Arizona courts each year for a variety of different offenses.
Luckily, an experienced attorney may be able to find ways to reduce your penalties, obtain alternative sentencing, or get the charges dismissed entirely. Attorney Charity Clark has over 12 years of experience in Arizona’s courts, having worked in many of the state’s counties as a criminal defense lawyer for individuals facing misdemeanors, felonies, and other legal troubles. Take advantage of a free 30 minute consultation to discuss your case with Charity Clark herself and receive expert advice on what next steps to take to fight your misdemeanor charges.
Misdemeanors are more serious than petty offenses, which by law can only result in fines. However, the repercussions of a misdemeanor are far less than those of a felony conviction, which may result in the loss of certain civil rights.
As a classification, misdemeanors can cover crimes related to violence, theft, traffic transgressions, and many other low-level offenses. Specific examples which may earn somebody a misdemeanor conviction include:
As with all criminal offenses, the penalties may increase if an individual has an existing criminal record, especially for crimes of the same nature.
Another factor that may increase penalties into a higher level of misdemeanor or beyond the misdemeanor classification altogether is the perceived danger of the offense, which would be higher in cases like property theft of a weapon, or DUI with a child in the vehicle, just to give two examples.
If you have consulted with your lawyer and are reasonably sure that you are facing a misdemeanor charge, there are three different levels under which your charge could fall.
Class 1 Misdemeanor
This is the most serious of misdemeanor convictions. It is usually the starting point for crimes of an intermediate severity (DUI, theft, etc.) as those offenses are often also charged as low level felonies. Class 1 misdemeanors also generally include all non-aggravated assault charges.
The penalties include a maximum of 6 months in prison and fines of up to $2,500.
Class 2 Misdemeanor
Class 2 misdemeanors are often a conviction to increase the severity of a Class 3 offense, which may occur in the case of prior offenses, or to suit the gravity of a crime that could fall under any of the three levels of misdemeanor.
The penalties include a maximum of 4 months in prison and fines of up to $750.
Class 3 Misdemeanor
This is the least severe misdemeanor charge and is often the penalty for offenses deemed minimally dangerous, such as speeding, loitering, physical contact with the intention to provoke another person, etc.
As such, the penalties include a maximum of 30 days in prison and fines of up to $500.
Along with imprisonment and fees, many individuals will have the option of probation as a means to “do their time”.
If you no longer have the option to preempt a charge that will be filed against you, your best course of action is to contact a lawyer who can help you sort out your charges and help you find the best defense for your circumstances. This process will include sorting through any evidence and documentation of the alleged offense, figuring out what defense strategies may work in your favor, and keeping up with any court dates you may have.
Attorney Charity Clark offers free 30 minute consultations to hear your side of the story and to provide you with advice backed up by over a decade of legal expertise. With a small legal team and a long history in the courtroom on cases big and small, Charity Clark Law prides itself on its diligent and effective work while still maintaining a personal connection with each individual client.
To schedule an appointment with Attorney Charity Clark, please fill out our contact form or call our office to set up your free 30 minute consultation. Charity Clark Law is located in Tempe and we are proud to serve both Maricopa and Pinal county clients.
