Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Read About the Criminal Charges You Face

Criminal Charges come in three types: Infractions are the least serious and are most commonly seen in traffic matters like Speeding or Running a red light. The most punishment you can get with an infraction is a fine.

Misdemeanors in California refer to any crime where you can spend a year or less in jail. Most people charged with a misdemeanor never do ANY jail time but there is always the potential to do up to 1 year although that rarely occurs. Common misdemeanors are Driving Under the Influence, Driving on a suspended license and Domestic Violence. Notably, some misdemeanors can also be charged as felonies like Drunk Driving and Domestic Violence. Charges that can be either a misdemeanor or a felony are called “wobblers”. The severity of a case determines whether a wobbler is filed as a felony or a misdemeanor. For example, if a Drunk Driving Case involves significant injuries to the victim it can be filed as a felony; or if the victim in a Domestic Violence case is significantly injured then that charge can also be filed as a felony.

Felonies are the most serious offenses and can carry years of prison as a sentence or even a life sentence. The most common felony crimes are Sales of a Controlled Substance, Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Assault with Great Bodily Injury/Force Likely, Gang Offenses and Child Sex Offenses.

California also has the “Three Strikes Law”. This is a sentencing law wherein the Judge’s discretion is taken away. If you commit a new violent crime and you have a prior record of at least two violent crimes, you can be automatically sentenced up to life in prison. Even with only one prior conviction you can receive a doubling of the normal sentence if the prior crime and the new crime are violent. Fortunately, the law has evolved in the three strike area and now Judges have the freedom to “strike a strike” so as not to cause an unduly harsh sentence. However, Judges will generally only do that in extraordinary situations.

The description above is a very broad overview of criminal charges in California. Consult with Mr. Bruzzo directly on your specific charges for free. Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636.

Criminal Law Information:

• California Penal Codes
• Vehicle Codes
• Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
• Health and Safety Codes
• Oprima aqui para Español

These links are provided to help you find more information about the specific criminal charges you are facing:

• Assault and Assault with a Deadly Weapon
  Penal Code Section 245
• Assault/Battery on a Peace Officer
  Penal Code Sections 241(c) and 243(b)
• Bad Checks/Insufficient Funds
  Penal Code Section 476(a)
• Battery
  Penal Code Section 242-243
• Burglary
  Penal Code Section 488
• Carrying a Concealed/Loaded Firearm
  Penal Code Sections 12025 and 12031
• Certificate of Rehabilitation / “Cleaning Up Your Record”
  Penal Code Sections 4852.01
• Child Abuse
  Penal Code Sections273a (a) and 273a (b)
• Criminal Threats
  (Penal Code Section 422)
• DMV Hearings
• Domestic Violence
  Penal Code Sections 243(e)(1) and 273.5
• Driving on a Suspended License
  Vehicle Code Section 14601
• Driving Under the Influence
  Vehicle Code Sections 23152, 23153
• Drunk and Disorderly
  Penal Code Section 647(f)
• Drunk in Public / Public Intoxication
  Penal Code Section 647(f)
• Expungement
  Penal Code Section 1203.4
• Forgery/Possession of Fictitious Instruments
  Penal Code Sections 470(d) and 475
• Hit and Run
  Vehicle Code Section 20002-20003
• Juvenile Law
  Welfare and Institutions Sections 602 et. sequential
• Lewd Conduct in Public Place
  Penal Code Section 647(a)
• Military Law
  Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
• Pardons
  Penal Code Section 4852.01
• Parole Hearings
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
  Health and Safety Code Sections 11350 and 11377
• Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance
  Health and Safety Code Sections 11351 and 11378
• Receiving Stolen Property
  Penal Code Section 496(a)
• Residential Burglary
  Penal Code Section 459
• Resisting Arrest/Obstruction of Justice
  (Penal Code Section 148(a)
• Restraining and Protective Orders
• Rape
  Penal Code § 261
• School Expulsions
• Sex Cases
  Penal Code Sections 261.5, 288, 288a, 314 and 647
• Strike Cases
  Penal Code Sections 667 and 1192.7
• Theft
  Penal Code Sections 484-488
• Transportation of a Controlled Substance
  Health and Safety Code Section 11352
• Unlawful Intercourse
  Penal Code Section 261.5
• Vandalism
  Penal Code Section 594
• Warrants

If you can not find the penal code, vehicle code, uniform code of military justice or health and safety code you are looking for – please contact William Bruzzo at (714) 547-4636 or Online help request.