• Speak with An Experienced Defense Attorney Today
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

misdemeanor charges lawyer

Popular culture has, in many ways, desensitized us to the seriousness of a run in with the law. Police dramas and “reality” cop programs are actually giving viewers a very unrealistic idea of what it means to be charged with a crime. So many times, on TV and in movies, we see our favorite characters breaking the law, but we rarely see them suffering the consequences because they “knew a guy” or “had a friend” that could get them off scot-free.

In real life, however, being charged with a crime is serious and “knowing who to talk to” is an anecdote that may be as likely to get you charged with bribery as it is to help you escape your existing charges. That is not to say that some crimes and charges are not worse than others, but all must be taken seriously, as any of them could effect the lives of you and your family forever.

What is a Misdemeanor?

A misdemeanor is the next step up from a general infraction. Infractions are things like traffic tickets or minor drug possession charges, and are often punished by giving the culprit a ticket or fining them. A misdemeanor carries more serious ramifications that are punishable by larger fines, jail time, or a combination of the two.

A wide range of crimes can fall under the misdemeanor label, and different kinds of misdemeanors are organized into different groups depending on the type of crime that was committed:

  • General misdemeanors typically include crimes like stalking, disorderly conduct, forgery, resisting arrest, internet crimes, and thefts or “criminal mischief” involving items worth less than $500.
  • Driving misdemeanors are handed out when carless driving results in the injury or death of another person.
  • Drug misdemeanors are a little more unique in our state. Residents of the state may be charged with a drug misdemeanor if they posses more than one ounce of marijuana but less than eight ounces. Medical marijuana card holders are subject to the same laws, but are able to legally posses two ounces of marijuana and some marijuana plants (as determined by their physician). This type of misdemeanor can also include the possession of any schedule V controlled substance.
  • Assault misdemeanors include the crimes of domestic violence, child abuse, and third degree assault.
  • Sexual misdemeanors include lesser crimes than their felony counterparts, but still come with registration requirements and lengthy/expensive treatment requirements.

The 3 Classes

In Colorado, misdemeanors are divided into three classes based on the severity of the crime. Each one has the potential to involve jail time and/or fines, as the judge sees fit:

  • Class 1 misdemeanors are the most serious. These are punishable with anywhere from six to eighteen months in jail and/or with a fine ranging from $500 to $5,000. If a crime is considered to be of extraordinary risk, the maximum jail sentence can be up to twenty-four months in jail.
  • Class 2 misdemeanors can be punished with a jail sentence of three to twelve months. Those charged with a class 2 misdemeanor may also be fined in addition to, or instead of jail time, to the tune of $250-$1,000.
  • Class 3 are the lesser of the the three evils, but still have the potential to be life changing. Those charged can receive up to six months of jail time or fines ranging from $50 to $750, or a combination of both of these.

The Truth about Misdemeanors

The thing about misdemeanors is they aren’t always as black and white as the above classifications make them seem. Yes, jail time and fines are fairly standard, but differing circumstances mean that certain misdemeanor charges have the potential to be more or less harmful to the accused’s life than others.

For instance, if the crime is on the less severe side, a plea bargain may be reached that allows the accused to avoid jail time in lieu of a lesser punishment, like probation or community service. In the flip side, a misdemeanor that presents “an extraordinary risk of harm to society,” allows the judge to sentence the culprit to an additional six months of jail time on top of that which comes from the misdemeanor’s class ranking.

Facing Misdemeanor Charges?

Misdemeanor charges are serious, and should not be handled in court without the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you’ve been accused of a misdemeanor within the we can help you navigate the intricacies of the court room as your case comes to trial.

In either case, a qualified attorney can make all the difference in the end result of a misdemeanor charge. The attorneys at Wolf Law are ready and willing to help, no matter what your situation is. Let us take matters into our hands; call us today at 720-479-8574 for a free and confidential consultation to assess your legal troubles.

Click for a FREE CONSULTATION about Legal Help for Misdemeanor Charges

Featured Blogs
  • Answers to 6 Common DUI Questions
  • Assault or Self-Defense?
  • happy hour to sober
  • breathalizer thumbnail
  • 4/20 safety
  • domestic violence cases
Certifications
Testimonials

Domestic Violence Defense

I hired Jeff Wolf to represent me in a domestic violence defense case. The results were excellent. Him and his team are awesome. They handled everything for me. Trust your freedom with Wolf Law!

— - John D.

Best Possible Outcome Thanks to Wolf Law

When I walked into the office I was at a low point I can’t describe. When I talked to Jeffrey Wolf I wanted to hear, “Don’t worry, you’re going to be fine.” Instead I was told the honest truth: I was in serious trouble, but he would fight like crazy to get me the best possible outcome. After thinking about that I realized it was far better to hear the truth rather than a lawyer trying to get my business, and in the end I got exactly what Jeff said: Good advice, an excellent professional defense, and I believe the best possible outcome I could have wanted. I highly recommend Wolf Law.

— David R.

6-Month Jail Sentence Reduced to 90 Days

I was arrested in May 2014 for a warrant that I had since 2010 for DUR, I was facing a six month jail sentence that would have caused me to lose my business, home, as well as once again re-offend me. After countless calls and conversations and meetings with numerous attorneys I was referred to Jeffery Wolf. By simply speaking with him over the phone I felt a little at ease, until I met with him and after that I was completely at ease. He made feel the way an attorney is suppose to make a client feel. He was extremely personable, caring, honest, completely honest, and very detailed as to what his process is and what will take place in court.

On the day of my hearing Jeff arrived a little early and had me wait in the hallway while he stepped into the court room and went to bat for me. The result was a 0 point violation allowing me to keep my DL, a six-month jail sentence reduced to 90 days in-home detention, and a $67 fine, which was way more than I expected.

I highly recommend Jeff he is an excellent attorney that takes your case as serious as you do. I hope I never have to hire an attorney again but if I do without a doubt Jeffrey Wolf will be my first and only thought.

— David

AMAZING LAWYER

Mr. Wolf was recommended to me through my cousin. I was facing a very serious legal matter and Mr. Wolf was amazing. He explained everything to me in detail. He listened to my questions and was very helpful. I am so thankful that he was my lawyer.

— Amy K

Highly Recommended

First of all, I would like to thank Colleen Kelley and all the staff at Wolf Law for helping me greatly with my legal matters. I called and was able to get consulted that same day, and the prices are very manageable. Colleen did an awesome job and took her time reviewing all the evidence and negotiating with the DA. In my first case she was able to get the charges completely dismissed, which was very impressive. I had a second case where she got me a deferred judgment deal, which was great considering the charges pending. I am very pleased with her efforts and time spent working on my case. Again, I would highly recommend Wolf Law, giving them 5/5 stars!

— Michael

Professional. Attentive. Experienced. Successful.

I was referred to Jeff by one of my friends who was recently represented by Wolf Law in his DUI case; I will be forever grateful for that recommendation. Jeff made this extremely stressful process feel much more manageable from start to finish. He was always responsive and highly communicative, even throughout my barrage of anxiety driven questioning. He was a maestro in the courtroom and was able to get me the absolute minimum penalties. He even got certain areas of my very unique case dismissed – saving me thousands of dollars in the process. While I hope I never have to, I will surely be recommending Wolf Law as DUI representation to any of my friends and family in the future.

— Anonymous

I Recommend Jeff Wolf to Anyone Needing Legal Defense

I retained the services of Jeff Wolf after I received a DUI. During the free consultation, Jeff reviewed his services and the details of what would happen before, during and after my trial. He was very thorough, supportive and diligent in ensuring all my questions were answered. I am thrilled with the level of service he provided for an extremely reasonable fee. Jeff was accessible and reassuring throughout this entire process. The end-result of my hearing was exactly what I had expected based on Jeff’s counseling. This is a direct result of his knowledge and experience with the court and the system. I was very impressed with his closing presentation in court and his professionalism and felt that the judge reduced my fines and my sentence because of Jeff’s efforts. I have already recommended him to two other people and will continue to recommend him to anyone requiring the services of a defense attorney.

— Monty

Jeff is a Powerhouse in the Courtroom

Jeff is truly an expert in his field. He is extremely knowledgeable and bright and it was clear throughout his management of my case that he is highly respected. He was very supportive of my desire to see my case through to trial, he was always empathetic, and he took the time to understand my personal and professional situation. He was determined to get me the best outcome with the least impact to my personal and professional life and he succeeded. We were dealing with a refusal and I have little doubt that I would not have had the same results with another attorney. Jeff is a powerhouse in the courtroom! I am beyond appreciative and would strongly recommend anyone facing challenging legal issues to seek out Jeff’s expertise.

— Jana S.

Thanks!

Dear Ms Kelly you have truly been a blessing to me.When this situation took place I searched and searched for a qualified attorney to represent me in fighting for my life att after att turned me towards wolf law and I told myself I wanted the best and she clearly overachieved. After doing so much for me and my family I felt I need to compensate her for what I feel was going the extra mile and she insisted that what I’ve paid was enough. That kind of integrity and dedication to your clients says a lot about wolf law. I will always be indebted to you guys thanks for everything.

— Jared T.

Expedient, Thorough and Effective

Fortunately, I don’t find myself needing legal representation often…only once before have I needed an attorney. My situation was interesting…I was given a disorderly conduct summons and felt it was far beyond the pale in terms of its validity. I didn’t want this on my record and needed help navigating the legal process. I did some research on a few attorneys and read about Jeff Wolf’s practice. I called Jeff and we spoke the same day. He listened to me and I met with him a few days later. He took the time to explain his process and approach, which made sense to me and seemed to be in the right dollar range for what we were dealing with. Thankfully, my case was dismissed. Jeff took the time to show the DA that there were inconsistencies all over the place and that there was no way I was guilty…likely shouldn’t have even been issued a summons. As I said to Jeff, I hope I never have to talk with him again, but I won’t hesitate to call if need be.

— Christian