Kentucky divides criminal offenses into two categories – felonies and misdemeanors. While felony charges are higher grade and considered more serious, misdemeanor charges can still result in up to one year in jail. Misdemeanor crimes can also cost you your job, prevent you from obtaining employment and destroy relationships. As criminal defense lawyers, we understand how serious the fallout from a misdemeanor charge can be. We take our job defending you just as seriously as we do with felony charges. Our attorneys use various methods – from formal discovery to Freedom of Information Act requests – to quickly gather all of the available evidence. We then use this evidence to being developing your misdemeanor defense strategy.
No person should have to go up against the government alone – hire our team of skilled criminal defense attorneys to defend you and defend your rights!
These are the two demeanor classes and sentencing guidelines for misdemeanors in Kentucky:
Class A Misdemeanor
Under the federal criminal code as well as in all states, the punishment for a misdemeanor is incarceration and, occasionally, a fine.
Class A misdemeanor or felony offenses in Kentucky are criminal charges that carry penalties of not more than twelve months in jail or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both county jail and fine. It can also become a state jail felony and then into a third degree felony depending on the nature of the crime. In most cases, Class A misdemeanors become state jail felonies.
Class B Misdemeanor
Class B misdemeanor offenses are less serious misdemeanors or criminal cases that carry a penalty of not more than 90 days in jail or a fine of not more than $250.00, or both jail and fine. An even lesser class of felony offense is what is known as a “violation” which carries a penalty of a fine of only, up to $250.00.
Regardless of whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or violation, felony convictions can have consequences and punishments other than imprisonment or a fine. Depending on the offense for which probation conditional discharge is being granted, different conditions may apply. A person convicted of a misdemeanor is usually a non-violent offender since nearly all misdemeanors are non-violent criminal offenses. If they do involve the use of force or violence, such as assault, the injuries produced are generally minor. However, regular meetings with a probation officer, completing community work, attending drug or alcohol treatment or other programs, and abstaining from trouble with the law are all typical requirements of probation for a person convicted. Judges have the authority to revoke probation if any of these conditions are broken.
The least serious offenses, Class C misdemeanors, might result in less severe penalties than Class A or B misdemeanors. Simple assault is an example of a Class C misdemeanor. As well as marijuana possession under 2.5 grams and disorderly behavior. For example, a conviction may be reported on your criminal background check which can result in the loss of a job or even future employment opportunities. You are entitled to defend yourself with the help of a defense attorney or lawyer.
As is in most states as well as Kentucky, the lowest category felony crimes can be recategorized as misdemeanors that carry lesser sentences. This is excluding the most severe crimes and offenses throughout the classification system that have mandatory penalties (for example, a federal crime as serious as treason or terrorism).
Our team of attorneys will examine every aspect of the case to develop your misdemeanor defense
Before going to court alone without an attorney and getting a criminal record, or just pleading guilty, carefully consider the full range of potential consequences and discuss the matter of a criminal offense with an experienced attorney. Our team of criminal defense attorneys in Lexington KY is always available to discuss your case. Call us at 859-258-2697 to speak with an attorney today.
