Los Angeles Felony Defense Attorney

Get Years of Experience on Your Side When You Need it Most

Martinian & Associates is a criminal defense firm that can provide reliable legal advice regarding the defense of felony charges. We have extensive trial experience and will provide competent representation in court. Our firm will look for evidentiary flaws that can be used to reduce your charges, and will ensure your constitutional rights are protected.

How are Felony Charges Sentenced?

A felony is a serious crime that can result in harsh penalties, including incarceration in a state prison. There are many different types of crimes that can be charged as a felony, including robbery, sexual abuse, rape, murder, and burglary. Contact a felony defense attorney at once if you have been charged with a felony. A skilled lawyer can review your case and explain the court process in detail.

A conviction in a felony case can result in:

• Probation
• Jail time
• Fines
• Restitution
• Court-ordered counseling
• Loss of the right to own a firearm
• Loss of voting privileges

Severity of sentencing will depend on many factors, including seriousness of the crime, injuries or fatalities that occurred during the commission of the crime, use of a firearm, if the crime involved a child, if the defendant was on probation or parole when the crime was committed, and any prior criminal history. A felony conviction is also a strike under the state's Three Strikes Law. Penalties will become increasingly harsh for each felony strike, and can ultimately result in life in prison.

Felony Sentencing Schedule

The sentencing schedule and procedure for felony offenders is listed in detail in California Penal Code § 1170-1170.9. Those convicted of felony offenses may face imprisonment in either county jail or state prison, depending upon the offense and any potential plea bargains. According to the California Courts, felony offenders are listed in three primary categories: those who will be committed to county jail, those who are excluded from punishment in county jail and those who fall into the category of state prison punishment and felonies without designated housing. Please reference the Felony Sentencing After Realignment document for further information. Listed below are some common penalties for various felony offenses in the state of California and in Los Angeles.

Murder
According to California Penal Code § 187-199, murder is the "unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought." Anyone tried and found guilty of first degree murder shall be punished by death or imprisonment in state prison for life without the possibility of parole.

Grand Theft
According to California Penal Code § 484(e), anyone found guilty of stealing property that has a monetary value of more than $950 is guilty of grand theft- there are some exceptions. When grand theft involves theft of a firearm, the penalty is imprisonment in state prison for 16 months, two or three years. In all other cases of grand theft, the penalty is maximum imprisonment in county jail for up to one year.

Vehicular Manslaughter
This is a crime that involves the unlawful killing of another human being due to intoxication or negligence without malice aforethought. This crime is punishable per § 1170 of the California Penal Code which involves imprisonment for 16 months, two years or four years.

To learn more about felony offenses or to take the first step toward aggressive representation for your felony allegations, please do not hesitate to contact a Los Angeles felony defense lawyer from Martinian & Associates INC. today!