Will You Go to Jail for a Criminal Conviction in Prattville, AL?
Will You Go to Jail for a Criminal Conviction in Prattville, AL?
You have just been arrested in Prattville, and now you’re facing a criminal charge. You may be wondering if you’re going to spend time in jail and what your options might be to maintain your freedom.
To learn more about your rights, you should contact a criminal defense attorney in Prattville, AL, right away. A criminal defense lawyer knows how to navigate the system and can help you with your defense and work to keep you out of jail.
Different Penalties for Different Crimes
In Alabama, crimes are categorized as violations, misdemeanors, and felonies. Whether or not you’re sentenced to jail or prison time depends on the classification of the crime.
Violations
Violations are considered the least severe of the three crime classifications. If you’re guilty of a violation, you may have to spend up to 30 days in a county jail. Violations might include a traffic ticket or third-degree criminal trespass.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanor crimes fall under three categories: A, B, and C. The most serious misdemeanors are Class A, while B and C lessen in severity.
Class A Misdemeanors
Class A misdemeanors may include the possession of marijuana for use personally or the theft of goods of up to $6,000. You can spend up to one year in jail and/or pay a fine of up to $6,000.
Class B Misdemeanors
If you resist arrest, are charged with animal cruelty, or are found guilty of witness tampering, you may have to spend up to six months in jail. Pleading guilty to this type of crime may also involve paying a fine of up to $3,000.
Class C Misdemeanors
For a class C misdemeanor, such as trespassing or disorderly conduct, the court may impose a sentence of up to three months in jail and the payment of a fine of up to $500.
Felonies in Alabama
The most serious offenses in Alabama are felonies. Crimes of this type can carry a prison sentence of one year or more or, in some cases, even lead to the death penalty.
Courts classify felonies as Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D.
Class A Felonies
A Class A felony is punishable by a prison term of 10 to 99 years. Examples of these offenses include first-degree (forced) rape, first-degree burglary, first-degree arson, first-degree domestic violence, or murder. Some convictions may also include capital punishment.
Class B Felonies
Statutory sentencing for these crimes can include prison terms of two to 20 years. Examples of Class B felonies include first-degree assault, first-degree manslaughter, and second-degree rape, also known as statutory rape.
Class C Felonies
Class C felonies may lead to an incarceration period of 366 days to 10 years. Some of these crimes may include robbery (with actual or threatened force), child custody interference, or breaking and entering.
Class D Felonies
Class D felonies result in prison times of 366 days to five years. A defendant may receive this sentence if they’re charged with possession of a controlled substance or are arrested for credit card fraud, among other offenses.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Prattville, Alabama Now
The right criminal defense attorney can negotiate with prosecutors and present defenses to help you avoid jail time whenever possible.
To get the best defense for a criminal conviction in Prattville, you need to consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Contact the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. to learn more about your rights and how we can craft a defense that will lead to a more successful outcome.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. serves Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County, the River Region of Alabama and throughout the State of Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka Prattville, Selma and Tuskegee. No attorney-client relationship is established by requesting a consultation or emailing Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr.. Information submitted in such communication is not privileged and may be subject to disclosure.
