What is a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that the law considers less serious than a felony. It is still punishable with fines and jail time. In Oklahoma, misdemeanor charges could lead to as much as $500 in fines and one year in jail. Common examples of misdemeanors include petty theft, DUIs, and drug possession. Misdemeanors can be both violent or nonviolent crimes. However, crimes involving violence have a chance of stiffer fines and more jail time. If you have a misdemeanor charge, do not hesitate to contact the Chickasha misdemeanor defense attorneys at Wirth Law Office for legal representation. It is important to have someone on your side who knows what they are doing and has a proven track record of success.
How does the process work?
Misdemeanor defense attorneys in Chickasha at Wirth Law Office are familiar with every step of the process, and they can assist you from beginning to end. The first step of charging someone with a misdemeanor is arresting the person. Usually, this happens after the police witness the crime. For example, if the police catch someone in possession of marijuana, they can arrest that person on the spot. However, if the police do not witness the crime, they need to get a warrant to arrest the person. One way to do this is to have someone come forward who witnessed the drug possession. Otherwise, the police may hear someone talking about it or see it on a video.
After the arrest is the arraignment, where the accused pleads guilty or not guilty. If the accused pleads guilty, the judge sentences him/her without a trial. The defendant would serve no more than a year in jail and owe no more than $500 in fines. The judge sets bail while the defendant is in custody. The cost of bail for a misdemeanor ranges from $500 to $5,000. Once someone posts bail, the police release the defendant.
After arraignment, if the defendant does not plead guilty, comes the preliminary hearing, in which the prosecutor must establish probable cause. That means they need to prove with at least 51% certainty that the accused committed the crime. A grand jury could indict the defendant instead. After the preliminary hearing is the pretrial. During pretrial, the defense will make motions to suppress evidence that may be inadmissible in court. Following the pretrial is the trial itself. The trial will be in front of either a jury or just a judge. Once a verdict is decided, it is delivered in a sentencing hearing along with the defendant’s punishment(s).
Low-cost Consultation with Chickasha Misdemeanor Defense Attorney
Most people accused of misdemeanors will seek out an Oklahoma criminal defense attorney as soon as bail is posted. The sooner you have representation, the better your chances are of getting the desired result. If you have been charged with a criminal misdemeanor, Chickasha misdemeanor attorneys at Wirth Law Office are ready to represent you. Choose the skilled, knowledgeable Chickasha misdemeanor criminal attorneys at Wirth Law Office to ensure your case is handled with strength and reliability. Call us at (405) 272-4100 or fill out the form at the top of this page.