Ask a random person what comes to mind in relation to the word ‘California,’ and you’ll probably hear responses related to ‘Hollywood celebrities,’ ‘earthquakes’ and ‘national parks.’ Far less likely is that someone will reply with an answer related to California’s penal records — however, the Golden State has a less than golden record when it comes to criminal offenses. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, California was listed as the state with the most arrests in 2007, and Criminal Justice Statistics Center reports that there were 1,545,012 arrests in California in 2014. Given the number of opportunities for a resident to end up in one of the 123 jail facilities across the state, one might find it helpful to preemptively research options for attorney services. Living out in the San Joaquin Valley? Here are a few reasons you should find a reputable a family law attorney in Kings County CA :
- Smaller offenses still carry great weight. In California, first-degree robbery carries a state prison sentence of three to nine years, which is a notable amount of time. But did you know that second-degree robbery — which applies to a robbery that results in the injury of someone not related to the crime, and/or is committed with an accomplice or a deadly weapon — is also punishable for two to five years? If you’re facing consequences of that degree, you’ll want to make sure you’ve properly vetted the pool of local attorneys to represent you.
- You’ll receive more than a slap on the wrist for drunk driving. It may happen frequently — more than 1.4 million people are arrested for it each year! — but don’t disregard the repercussions of driving under the influence. One’s first DUI conviction in California may also result in up to six months’ imprisonment in the county jail and also result in a six-month license suspension. Additionally, the maximum penalty for a misdemeanor first DUI conviction in California is a $1,000 fine plus over $2,600 in penalty assessments. These are large dollar amounts you won’t want to face alone, which is where a drunk driving attorney or a family law attorney in Kings County CA and other areas can make a difference.
- If you’re wrongfully charged, it’s helpful to have a knowledgable advocate in your corner. When traumatizing or anxiety-inducing situations occur, many people misinterpret information by mistake. Unfortunately, those unreliable witnesses are sometimes the only witnesses, which can result in accidental arrests of the wrong people. Research shows that the main cause in more than half of wrongful conviction cases — 52.3% — was eyewitness misidentification, followed by perjury by a witness, which contributed to 11% of the convictions. Additionally, a survey of 188 judges, prosecuting attorneys, public defenders, sheriffs and police revealed that 10,000 people in the United States may be wrongfully convicted of serious crimes each year. Should you ever find yourself on the accused end of that situation, you will want a criminal defense lawyer or a family law attorney in Kings County CA who can quickly vindicate you, rather than allow another person’s mistake to cost you time and money.
Whether you’re facing criminal charges or simply want to be prepared, a reputable and reliable family law attorney can serve as a source of consolation and knowledge. Know of a good family law attorney in Kings County CA? Leave a comment below.