Orange County Felony Defense Attorney

Aggressive & Award-Winning Representation Since 1994

Certain crimes, typically those deemed more “severe” in nature, are charged as felonies. In California, felony crime convictions carry some of the harshest penalties, including life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or death.

If you or someone you care about is facing felony charges, you can’t afford to not fight back. Orange County felony defense attorney Jacqueline Goodman is prepared to put over 26 years of legal experience and a proven track record of success on your side. As a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the State Bar of California, Attorney Goodman is widely recognized for her expertise in criminal law and justice. She understands the system and what is at stake.

Contact The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman online or call (714) 733-1737 for a free and confidential case review.

Classifying Felony Crimes

Some crimes are always charged as felonies in the state of California; other crimes that are typically charged as misdemeanors may be charged as felonies if certain aggravating factors are present. The former are known as “straight” felonies, whereas the latter are known as “wobblers.”

Legally, a “felony crime” in California is one that is punishable by a maximum sentence of more than one year (12 months) in jail or state prison.

Some examples of common straight felonies in California include:

• Murder
• Rape
• Lewd acts with a child under the age of 14
• Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence
• The sale of a controlled substance

Meanwhile, wobbler felonies, or crimes that can be upgraded to felonies depending on the circumstances involved, include but are not limited to:

• Sexual battery
• Domestic violence
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Multiple DUI
• Certain white collar crimes, such as forgery

When Is a Criminal Charge Upgraded to a Felony?

In the case of wobbler felonies, certain factors are taken into account in order to determine whether the offense will be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony.

These factors may include:

• The criminal history of the alleged offender
• The age of the alleged offender
• The nature of the offense
• Whether a weapon was allegedly used in the commission of the crime
• The potential for future criminal behavior
• The level of cooperation with law enforcement
• The overall strength of the case

If, for example, you are arrested for burglary of an uninhabited building, but you have a history of prior convictions for similar offenses, you may face felony burglary charges. As a result, you will also face harsher penalties.

Contact The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman Today

A felony charge is a serious threat to your freedom, your finances, and even your life. If convicted, you could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines, a lengthy prison sentence, and even the death penalty. It is critical that you work with an experienced and aggressive felony defense attorney in Orange County in order to ensure your rights are protected.

Attorney Goodman handles every case that comes to The Law Office of Jacqueline Goodman directly. She will work with you at every stage of the process, providing honest legal counsel and answers to your questions as she fights tirelessly for the best possible outcome in your specific case. Put an award-winning criminal defense attorney on your side.

Call (714) 733-1737 to get started with a free consultation.