Felony charges are brought when a person has done something that could lead to a sentence of one year or longer in jail along with other potential penalties. These are considered the most serious crimes and, after a conviction, a person will lose some of their basic rights. The rights a person can lose due to a felony conviction include the right to vote, the right to own a gun, and even the right to travel outside the country.
To avoid losing their rights, the person will want to hire a criminal defense attorney in Rockwall, TX who can help them avoid a felony conviction. Avoiding a felony conviction doesn’t mean they will avoid any conviction, but they could end up with the charges dismissed, so they are not convicted of any crime. In other cases, they will still be convicted of a crime, but the attorney can help them obtain a plea deal, so they are convicted of a misdemeanor and not a felony. They will still have a criminal record, but they will not lose their rights.
The most common way to avoid felony convictions is through a plea deal. Many crimes have a lesser crime that the person can plead guilty to as a way to avoid the felony conviction. If the person is charged with felony theft, for example, they could accept a plea deal for a misdemeanor theft charge. They will have a conviction, but it will not be a felony, and they will not have their rights taken. The sentences will also be much lower, so it won’t have as much of an impact on their life right away or on their future.
Those who are arrested and charged with a felony face losing many of their basic rights and longer sentences. They do have the option of working with a criminal defense attorney in Rockwall, TX to get a better outcome and might be able to avoid the felony conviction through a plea deal or by having the charges dismissed. Browse the website for the Law Office of Tim Hartley today to learn more and to find a lawyer you can speak to about your own situation.
