Understanding which category your offense falls into is important in determining what kind of sentence you may be facing if you are convicted. This is not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the crimes that may fall into multiple categories. The following are some examples of wobbler offenses: In these cases, the defendant can be charged for either a misdemeanor or felony and they are called “wobbler offenses.” Prior convictions or the use of a weapon can have a significant influence on whether the case is determined a felony or misdemeanor. Some crimes can fall into multiple categories or a gray area between misdemeanor and felony. Infractions are the least severe of the types of criminal offenses in California. This means there’s no jury or public defender assigned to these cases. Infractions may result in a fine, and there is usually not a full trial conducted for an infraction. These are often traffic violations or other minor issues.

Infractions do not result in prison time. Crimes under this category can include domestic violence, some cases of DUI or DWI, murder or manslaughter, and assault. A felony can result in life in prison or probation. Feloniesįelonies are used for the most significant criminal charges. Misdemeanors also often come with a fine between $1,000 to $2,000.

A misdemeanor can result in a sentence of up to a year in prison. Some crimes that are most likely to be charged as misdemeanors include public intoxication, theft, and trespassing. When being charged with a criminal offense, there are three categories your case can fall into.

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