What is a Wobbler Crime?
Certain criminal violations can be on the borderline between misdemeanors and felonies, depending on certain factors, like the way the crime was committed or your criminal history. These are known as “wobbler” crimes. If there is any way that a potential felony can be downgraded to a misdemeanor, you owe it to yourself to call The Umansky Law Firm and get representation from an experienced lawyer.
What is a Wobbler Crime?
There are certain types of crimes that may be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the severity of the crime. Other factors might play into this as well, such as:
- The Value of Property Stolen or Damaged – If the crime in question is a property crime, then the value of the property that was stolen or damaged may be a determining factor for how this crime will be charged.
- The Defendant’s Previous Criminal History – A defendant with no criminal history will tend to be offered more slack than one with a lengthy criminal record. This can also be a factor in determining how a particular crime will be charged.
- The Use of Weapons in the Crime – If any weapons were used while the crime was being committed, that can heighten the severity of the crime and may bump the crime up from being charged as a misdemeanor to being charged as a felony. The use of weapons during the crime raises the stakes for all involved.
These are just some of the factors that can go into how a crime is charged. Prosecutors are often given a significant amount of leeway to determine how they will pursue a particular charge, and different personalities and considerations all weigh into the final decision. This is why you should always have the best team of legal professionals ready to defend you.
How Attorneys Can Help with Wobbler Crimes
Obtaining an attorney to defend you when you are charged with a wobbler crime is one of the best decisions that you can make. Attorneys have professional relationships with the District Attorney’s (DA) Office, and they can work out a deal for you that you might not have received otherwise.
Our team does this all the time for our clients. We know that it is our responsibility to advocate for our clients to the best of our ability, and that means doing what we can to have charges reduced for them when possible. Wobbler crimes are a great example of a time when the severity of charges is very much on the line and is a primary concern.
Call Us if You Are Charged with a “Wobbler” Crime That Could Quickly Become a Felony
Our team is ready to stand up for you and protect you against any charges that begin to become a little too aggressive. You might think that it won’t happen to you, but it only takes one overly aggressive prosecutor to set you back significantly.
With this in mind, reach out to our criminal defense team today to obtain the legal representation that you deserve so that you are never burdened with the possibility of being charged of a crime you didn’t commit.
