A misdemeanor attorney is a criminal defense lawyer who represents people charged with minor offenses. Although misdemeanor offenses are less serious than felony offenses, they do appear on a convicted person’s criminal record and may jeopardize future employment and educational opportunities. As a result, many people charged with misdemeanors hire a misdemeanor lawyer to represent them in court.
Misdemeanor penalties vary by country, but they are generally less severe than felonies and do not result in the loss of personal liberties such as the right to vote or obtain a passport. A misdemeanor conviction usually carries a small fine or a sentence of less than thirty days in prison. Despite the relatively light penalties, a misdemeanor charge can result in serious consequences if the convicted person has a criminal history or if any victims were injured as a result of the misdemeanor act.
A misdemeanor attorney’s job is to help the defendant avoid a trial by negotiating a plea bargain, or a reduced sentence in exchange for pleading guilty. If a plea agreement cannot be reached, the misdemeanor lawyer will prepare a persuasive defense strategy, provide expert legal advice throughout the trial process, and argue on the client’s behalf in court to ensure that his or her constitutional rights are protected.
Although most misdemeanor offenses do not require a jury trial, if one is necessary, the misdemeanor attorney is responsible for selecting jury members who are most likely to be sympathetic to his or her client. Misdemeanor attorneys are also responsible for informing their clients of the potential outcomes of the misdemeanor charges, as well as what to expect if they are convicted of the offense, due to their advanced knowledge of criminal law. A misdemeanor lawyer will also assist each client in determining the best course of action based on the specific facts of the charges and the client’s needs.
Public defenders and private attorneys are the two types of defense attorneys. The government employs public defenders to represent indigent clients who cannot afford to hire their own attorney, whereas private attorneys are chosen and paid privately by the client. Individuals facing misdemeanor charges should consider retaining the services of an experienced criminal attorney, regardless of whether the attorney is a public defender or a private criminal defense attorney, due to the complexity of criminal law. Indeed, legal representation can often mean the difference between a misdemeanor conviction and a dismissal.