Whether you’re facing a felony charge for a violent crime or non-violent offense, you need a qualified and seasoned Bronx felony lawyer to handle your case. You may feel that your situation is hopeless or that it’s obviously a misunderstanding. Regardless of the circumstances, allow a defense attorney with experience managing felony criminal proceedings to represent you to give yourself a fair chance at a favorable outcome.
The legal professionals at The Vitaliano Law Firm have a deep understanding of criminal law and take on felony cases in particular. By entrusting one of our skilled defense lawyers to work on your case, you can rest assured that your future is in capable hands. Our felony defense law firm has extensive, practical experience with cases involving drug violations, grand larceny, firearms violations, fraud, extortion, racketeering, embezzlement, cyber crimes, homicide, etc.
A felony offense in the state is a very serious act to be accused of and charged with. Felonies are a step above a misdemeanor crime but can range in severity. The state categorizes felony crimes into classes — with Class E being the lowest class while Class A offenses are the most serious — based on the level of malice involved in the particular act. Your Bronx criminal defense lawyer may be able to get the charges against you lowered to a lesser felony class.
Here are some examples of felony crimes in New York:
Each felony class entails a different range of minimum and maximum penalties. Class A felonies generally have a maximum sentence of life in prison and a Class B felony conviction may be followed by up to 25 years in prison. The most time someone convicted of a Class C felony offense can be imprisoned is 15 years. A conviction for a Class D felony is punishable by up to seven years of incarceration. The maximum amount of time a defendant may be sentenced for a Class E felony is four years.
The minimum jail or prison time for a felony conviction is a couple of years. In many cases, non-violent crimes result in the offender receiving lesser penalties. A person’s criminal history can also impact their sentencing, such as if they’ve previously been convicted of a felony. In addition to incarceration, penalties also include paying fines and providing restitution to the victims.
Yes, you can fight against felony charges in the state, no matter the circumstances. It’s strongly advised that you consult with a qualified felony defense lawyer about your situation to see whether it’d be more advantageous to contest the charges or to pursue a plea deal for lesser sentencing. It’s beneficial to speak with a criminal law professional since they have a deep understanding of legislation and court procedures.
Class A felonies are identified as being the most serious, but all felony offenses are regarded as relatively severe. Class A felony crimes include murder, acts of terrorism, first-degree conspiracy, using a chemical or biological weapon, etc.
If a defendant is convicted of a Class A felony, they may face decades of incarceration or even life in prison. Depending on the circumstances, your defense attorney may be able to get the charges against you decreased to a lesser felony offense.
Felony convictions cannot be expunged from an offender’s criminal record. Qualifying individuals can request the court to seal certain felonies if they don’t have multiple convictions and after ten years have passed without committing a crime. Sex offenses, violent felonies, and Class A crimes are not eligible to be sealed. You also cannot request to have your record sealed if you currently have an open criminal case.
A qualified defense lawyer is a valuable resource to have when facing felony charges, whether you plan to plead guilty or don’t think you can be proven innocent. Your lawyer can investigate the charges, learn what evidence the prosecution is likely to use in their case and collect evidence of their own to build a compelling defense on your behalf. Even if convicted, your attorney can argue why you should receive lesser penalties, such as a shorter jail sentence.
The jobs and professions you may not be able to pursue due to a felony conviction in NY will depend on the specific crime. For example, a felony involving alcohol or drugs will likely prohibit you from obtaining or keeping a commercial driver’s license.
A conviction for a sex crime will disqualify the offender from working with children or near education facilities. It’s also unlikely that a convicted felon will be able to acquire a business permit or other professional licenses.
Our defense attorneys at The Vitaliano Law Firm can ensure your rights are protected and that your trial is fairly handled. Whether a lawyer is able to prove your innocence, lessen the charges against you, or help you acquire minimum penalties, it’s worth fighting for your case. Contact us today to speak with a skilled and experienced defense attorney about your circumstances.