Kingman Criminal Defense Lawyers

Collateral Consequences and Criminal Defense in Kingman, Arizona

A plea deal may not always be the victory it seems to be. If you end up with a misdemeanor on your criminal record, you could face serious collateral consequences for your criminal conviction, even if you end up not spending a single day in jail. These consequences can have a greater impact on your life than you might realize. According to the Vera Institute, collateral consequences of even a minor drug conviction or a minor misdemeanor, or even just an interaction with police can include:

These are just some of the collateral consequences individuals might face. Other consequences can include higher insurance rates and added challenges in accessing programs, jobs, and aid. When a person facing criminal charges agrees to a plea deal to avoid jail time, he or she may not always realize the other consequences he or she might be taking on. This is where a criminal defense lawyer in Kingman, Arizona can help you navigate the criminal justice system and understand the consequences of taking a plea deal. If you find yourself facing arrest or criminal charges, consider reaching out to the Kingman criminal defense attorneys at Oliverson Law, PLLC. We can take the time to help you understand your options and the potential solutions available given your situation.

When facing criminal charges, much may be on the line. Your future job opportunities, your reputation, your family, and your freedom may be at stake. The Kingman, Arizona criminal defense attorneys at Oliverson Law, PLLC know what is on the line. We are here to help you fight your charges and find a path forward that works.

• Family Separation. Parents who are arrested or who are convicted of even minor crimes are at greater risk of being involved with child protective services. These parents might find themselves facing ongoing involvement of the child welfare system, the potential removal of children, or ongoing interaction with child protective services, even if their crimes were only minor. According to the Vera Institute, once child protective services become involved, parents can face ongoing surveillance. They may have to face regular drug testing, unplanned child welfare visits, and court appearances.
• Unemployment and Difficulty Securing Jobs. According to the Vera Institute, a misdemeanor conviction can reduce a person’s earning capacity by as much as 16 percent, and time in prison can reduce a person’s earning capacity by half. Employers who conduct background checks might learn about a person’s criminal history, which could result in employment issues. Some criminal convictions can even result in the loss of a person’s professional license or make it very difficult for a person to obtain certain professional licenses.
• Due to changes in immigration laws, certain criminal convictions can put immigrants at risk of deportation or at risk of losing their immigration status. Even people who have been long-term permanent residents could lose the ability to gain citizenship.
• Housing Challenges. A criminal conviction can lead to eviction. Some renters may not rent to individuals after they see a criminal conviction in their background check, and some public housing programs bar individuals with criminal convictions from securing public housing. Individuals with criminal convictions may have greater difficulty securing loans, including home loans.
• Public Benefits. Individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes can be barred from accessing programs like SNAP and other public benefits, like Medicaid.
• Individuals with criminal records may not be able to secure federally subsidized loans and may also face discrimination when applying for school admissions.
• Loss of Rights. Individuals charged with DUIs could lose their driver’s license, and in some states, individuals who have been convicted of a felony can lose the right to vote.

Misdemeanor Lawyer in Kingman, Arizona

Misdemeanor charges are more minor than felony charges and tend to carry shorter jail times. While misdemeanor charges are indeed not as serious as felony charges, the collateral consequences of a misdemeanor conviction can be just as serious. There are three classes of misdemeanors in Arizona.

If you are facing misdemeanor charges, the misdemeanor lawyers in Kingman, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC may be able to help. Our attorneys can review the details of your case, look at the evidence police might have against you, and help you navigate the next steps. Misdemeanor charges can carry serious collateral consequences, even when a person convicted doesn’t face jail time. The misdemeanor lawyers in Kingman, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC are here to help you.

Have you already pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor or were convicted of a misdemeanor? The misdemeanor attorneys in Kingman, Arizona may also be able to help you get a misdemeanor charge sealed from your record. If your record can be sealed, this can help protect your reputation and may be able to help you avoid some of the serious collateral consequences that individuals face after a misdemeanor conviction. The sealing of Arizona criminal records falls under Arizona Law 13-911. If you have paid all your fines and served your time in jail, you may have the option to seal your records. The Kingman, Arizona misdemeanor attorneys at Oliverson Law, PLLC may be able to help you.

• Class One Misdemeanor. DUI offenses, domestic violence, drug crimes, and some theft crimes (involving property or services where the value of property or services is less than $1000), are considered class one misdemeanors. Other class one misdemeanors include indecent exposure, arson, disorderly conduct, cruelty to animals, gambling, prostitution, driving on a suspended license, and other crimes. If you are convicted of a class one misdemeanor, you could face up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2000 (Arizona Law 13-802; Arizona Law 13-707).
• Class Two Misdemeanor. Criminal trespass, underage alcohol consumption, game and fish violations, and reckless driving are considered class-two misdemeanors. Class 2 misdemeanors carry fines of up to $750 and up to four months in jail.
• Class 3 Misdemeanor. Criminal trespass in the third degree, excessive speed violations, fireworks violations, and more are class three misdemeanors. Class three misdemeanors carry fines up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail.

Contact a Kingman, Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

The Kingman, Arizona criminal defense lawyers at Oliverson Law, PLLC know how stressful it can be to face criminal charges or to be under arrest. If you are under police investigation, you might not know what to do, and may be frightened. A criminal defense attorney in Kingman, Arizona can help you navigate the criminal justice system, stand beside you if you are facing police questioning, and help you understand your options going forward. We can perform our own investigation, gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and help to build the strongest possible case. If you or someone you love is facing arrest or criminal charges, having a strong criminal defense is important. The criminal defense lawyers in Kingman, Arizona are here to help you every step of the way. You are innocent until proven guilty and have a right to see your day in court. You don’t have to navigate the legal system alone. Let the Kingman, Arizona criminal defense lawyers at Oliverson Law, PLLC fight for you.