Van Nuys Felony Defense Criminal charges for the most part fall into three main categories:

infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Typically, infractions and misdemeanors are minor crimes. However, a felony is a much more serious charge, which may be punished by prison time of more than one year. If charged with a felony, an experienced Van Nuys felony defense attorney is essential in mitigating the penalty you receive, as well as the impact the charge may have on your future. The charge of felony is the most serious criminal charge that can be made against individuals in the U.S. legal system, and can often result in life-changing consequences for the convicted. Long prison terms are the typical result of felony convictions. However, not only may those convicted of felony crimes serve prison time; their lives after being released from prison may never be the same. Those with prison time behind them may not be eligible to vote, serve in the military, own firearms, or be hired for most jobs because prospective employers take time spent behind bars into consideration when making hiring decisions. Attorneys who take on the responsibility of defending individuals who have been charged with commission of felony crimes should be ready to take their case all the way to a jury trial. However, when a plea agreement is the best course of action, they should do everything in their power to lessen the damage a felony charge will have on defendants futures. Types of Crimes that Are Considered Felonies A variety of crimes, both violent and non-violent, may bring felony charges. Crimes such as: Murder / Manslaughter Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Child Molestation Kidnapping Sexual Assault Burglary Extortion Arson Serious Drug Crimes Elder Abuse Domestic Violence

Mistaken Convictions Happen Early in 2011, the Northern California Innocence Project at Santa Clara University worked to help free an innocent man who had been charged and convicted of a felony crime.

Superior Court Judge Paul A. Bacigalupo, after weeklong testimony that raised questions concerning whether there was enough substantial evidence to prove the accused committed the crime, overturned the 1992 murder conviction of Francisco Carrillo after the only witnesses to the alleged crime recanted their identification of Carrillo as the shooter of Donald Sarpy. Carrillos murder conviction had as its basis, identification testimony from six people; one was the victims own son. Sarpys son Dameon was with five other friends when the shooting occurred, but none of them were wounded in the gunfire that killed his father. Early in March of 2011, all six of the six witnesses to the drive-by shooting who were with the victim, Donald Sarpy, when the gunman drove by and fired the gun, testified that they had not really seen the gunman clearly and so had misidentified Francisco Carrillo as the shooter. During six days of testimony witnesses admitted that they did not see the gunmans face. Furthermore, they admitted that they were influenced in making their false identification and accusation of Carrillo as the shooter. The first statements that witnesses had given to police were conflicting and vague ones at best. Some claimed to have heard an Hispanic gang slogan, and they could identify the shooter only as a male Hispanic teen. Further, witnesses could not agree on the appearance of the car itself. Descriptions were given which ranged from shiny to dull to black. They could not agree as to the number of males in the shooters car. Due to the lack of existence of physical evidence linking Carrillo to the shooting, the testimony of those six witnesses had been critical to the prosecution and conviction in the case. In Prison Almost 20 Years for a Crime He Did Not Commit Francisco Carrillo, age 37, told a Los Angeles Times reporter that spending almost twenty years in prison for a crime he did not commit was the worst thing that any human being could experience. He said that an innocent man going to prison for a crime he did not commit is far worse than even the tragedy of the real killer remaining free due to an unjust conviction. Two other men have currently admitted that they were the ones involved in the drive-by shooting. They have confessed to the shooting of Donald Sarpy, defense investigators say, and they have admitted that Francisco Carrillo had nothing to do with the crime and was not involved in any manner. The two men who have allegedly confessed to the shooting refused to testify, stating their rights against self-incrimination. Even prosecutors conceded that the existence of the rebuttal of testimony and the new evidence mandated the reversal of the guilty verdict against Carrillo. They said that it is extremely unlikely that they would attempt to retry Carrillo for the crime. Optimal Criminal Defense

As is evidenced by the story above, consequences of felony conviction are severe indeed. Those charged with felony offenses need experienced, professional attorneys on their side who will take the time to closely examine all the facts of the case and methodically review all witness testimony in order to establish inconsistencies. Such careful review could have exonerated an innocent man in the California case described above. If You or a Loved One Has Been Charged with a Felony in California, Contact Our Felony Defense Attorneys at Lessem & Newstat, LLP. Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara County criminal defense attorneys Jeremy Lessem, Joshua Newstat, and Mark Lessem have handled thousands of felony cases on behalf of clients throughout California. Call (800) 295-1054 or fill out our convenient online contact form. These articles are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Professional legal counsel should be sought for specific advice relevant to your circumstances.