| In Ventura, several major felonies come with serious consequences if convicted, from jail time to massive fines and having criminal records to sites like lookupinmate.org that can affect your future employment opportunities. |
If you or someone you know has been charged with a major felony. In that case, it’s important to consult an experienced Ventura criminal defense lawyer to ensure you have the strongest possible defense, whether that means negotiating a plea deal, going to trial, or seeking an appeal.
Here are some of the most common major felonies in Ventura, California, and how a criminal defense lawyer can help fight them.
Table of Contents
Theft
In Ventura, CA, theft is classified as an offense that involves taking something of value from another person without permission. However, you can also be charged with theft for knowingly obtaining stolen property. In some cases, you may even be charged with grand theft for stealing particularly expensive or sentimental items. Regardless of how much money or what kind of item was taken, theft is always considered a major felony in Ventura County.
If you’ve been arrested for theft, one of our Ventura criminal defense lawyers can help defend your rights by examining evidence to evaluate its validity.
Drug Possession
According to California Penal Code Section 11350, anyone who possesses more than 28.5 grams of marijuana or eight grams of hashish is subject to criminal prosecution for drug possession. What does possession mean? The law doesn’t define it, but you can be charged with possession if you have drugs on your person (in your pocket) or in your property (even locked up). A misdemeanor carries a sentence of up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer can often win by challenging the basis for police action against you, i.e., whether they had probable cause or reasonable suspicion to stop or search you, which led them to find any illegal items. If they didn’t have these reasons at their disposal, then usually, there won’t be enough evidence on its own to charge you with a crime, so it should be dismissed or reduced at trial.
Burglary
The criminal offense of unlawful entry into any structure intends to commit robbery or some other crime. The burglary might involve force, but it will be classified as burglary instead of robbery if no force is used. Burglary can also consist of entering any vacant building to commit another crime inside that building. Both types of burglary are felonies under California law, which means they each carry potential penalties, including state prison sentences.
If you’ve been charged with burglary or think you may be facing charges for burglarizing property, it’s important to act quickly. A prominent Ventura County defense lawyer can assist by helping you navigate the legal process and explaining your rights.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
One of Ventura’s most serious traffic-related offenses is hit-and-run, which is considered a major felony. A driver must stop after an accident, whether it’s with another vehicle or an unattended object. In most cases, they must remain at the scene until police arrive. Suppose you fail to follow these rules and flee from an accident without stopping or exchanging insurance information. In that case, you could be arrested for hit-and-run immediately upon discovery of your wrongdoing.
An experienced Ventura criminal defense lawyer will analyze all evidence against you and represent your interests in court. Your lawyer will fight to dismiss any allegations that do not match up with events, call into question observations made by witnesses, and protect your rights under both state and federal laws.
The Bottom Line
Any felony is serious, but some carry greater consequences than others. A Ventura criminal defense lawyer can help you decide which criminal defense strategy works best for your case. If you’re facing any felony charges, contact them as soon as possible to start preparing for your legal defense.
