MISDEMEANORS

A Misdemeanor Is A Criminal Charge

A misdemeanor is a less serious charge than a felony, but it is still a criminal charge and therefore must be taken seriously. It is important to retain the services of a skilled, hands-on criminal defense lawyer such as Lee's Summit misdemeanor attorney Michael W. Hanna.

If you are convicted or plead guilty on a misdemeanor charge, the penalty may not seem that severe in itself, but the conviction is a precursor to bigger trouble. As with serious felonies, prior misdemeanor guilty pleas and/or convictions are having consequences in more and more areas. For example, certain drug charges can prevent you from qualifying for various kinds of government aid. Generally, a conviction or guilty plea to any charge may affect your ability to get certain benefits in the future.

To avoid potential future trouble, a misdemeanor must be properly handled. This can call for creative thinking. A skilled criminal defense attorney may be able to argue the charge down to an infraction, which is not a criminal charge.

Especially if you are a good person who has nonetheless violated the law, a practiced attorney will try to get a diversion agreement if at all possible. For certain crimes, the prosecutor may enter into a diversion agreement under which the defendant enters probation-like supervision for 12 to 18 months. Upon successful completion of the supervision and payment of any restitution, the charge is dismissed.

In Lee's Summit, Independence, and Raytown, Contact Misdemeanor Charge Attorney Michael W. Hanna

Misdemeanors may not seem like such serious matters but they can have serious consequences. An experienced attorney can minimize those consequences. Contact Michael W. Hanna online or call 816-399-3359 to set up an initial exploratory consultation. The office accepts all credit cards except American Express.