" I insist upon my clients being treated fairly, with respect and consideration."

CRIMINAL LAW:

MISDEMEANORS . FELONIES . DUI

Criminal law involves cases where a person is charged with a crime. Criminal law includes both misdemeanors and felonies.

MISDEMEANORS: Misdemeanors involve crimes that carry a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail and a thousand dollar fine. Not all misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of one year in the county jail. Misdemeanors can be something as minor as driving without a valid drivers license or something as serious as misdemeanor manslaughter. Misdemeanors also involve drug and sex offenses.

FELONIES: Felonies involve crimes where a person can be sentenced to over a year in state prison. Under certain circumstances a misdemeanor can be charged as a felony. Some crimes can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. In those cases the District Attorney has the discretion to charge the case as a misdemeanor or a felony. Felonies also involve drug and sex offenses.

DUI: DUI's also known as Driving Under the Influence, involves cases where a person is charged with driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If a person's blood alcohol level was more than .08 at the time that person was driving the Department of Motor Vehicles will suspend that person's license for four months if it is a first offense. If it is a second offense within seven years, the Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend a person's license for a year. DUI's are usually charged as misdemeanors. If a person has three previous convictions for DUI within a seven year period of the current case, the current DUI can be charged as a felony.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
LEGAL RESOURCE GUIDE

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

LOS ANGELES COUNTY
COURT HOUSES

ORANGE COUNTY
COURT HOUSES

RIVERSIDE COUNTY
COURT HOUSES

SAN BERNARDINO
COURT HOUSES

VENTURA COUNTY
COURT HOUSE

PROP 36