Butler County Criminal Lawyer

Facing criminal charges or prosecution can be overwhelming, particularly for those who do not have legal representation. No matter what type of offense you might be charged with, a Butler County criminal lawyer could serve as your advocate. An accomplished defense attorney could help you fight against a wide range of offenses and work to protect your constitutional right to due process.

Illegal acts against people in Butler County are described in Chapter 6 of the Criminal Code of Alabama as offenses involving danger to the person. Sanctions for criminal charges of this variety may vary based on the specific offense and whether it is charged in the first, second, or third degree.

First-degree assault, for example, is a Class B felony punishable a two to 20 years prison sentence and a possible $30,000 fine. Conversely, a third-degree assault is a less serious offense—a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a jail sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $6,000.

Sanctions for other offenses in Georgiana and around Butler County also vary based on the degree of the offense and whether it is categorized as a felony or misdemeanor. A Butler County criminal attorney could provide an overview of the punishments associated with any charges a defendant is facing.

Offenses involving damage to and/or intrusion upon property in Butler County are outlined in Chapter 7 of the Alabama Criminal Code. As with offenses against the person, the penalties for offenses against property vary given the nature of the offense. For example, the classes of each degree of burglary are as follows:

• First-degree burglary offense is a Class A felony
• Second-degree burglary is a Class B felony
• Third-degree burglary is a Class C felony

Each felony class is associated with a different term of imprisonment and maximum fine. The prison sentence for Class A felonies have a potential prison sentence of ten to 99 years, while Class B felonies may lead to imprisonment for two to 20 years.

Finally, Class C felonies could include one to ten years of potential prison time. A criminal lawyer in Butler County could explain which legal penalties a person may face for any property offense.

Chapters Eight and Nine of the Criminal Code of Alabama describe offenses involving theft, forgery, and fraudulent practices. The severity of the theft and forgery offense would dictate whether it is charged in the first, second, third, or fourth degree.

As with other crimes, first-degree offenses are the most serious and are associated with the most severe sanctions. Theft of property in the first degree, for example, is a Class B felony that involves the theft of property valued at over $2,500, punishable by a prison term of two to 20 years and a fine.

Fourth-degree theft of property, meanwhile, is a Class A misdemeanor that involves stealing property valued at less than $500. The punishment upon conviction for this offense could include a sentence of up to one year in jail and a possible fine. No matter which degree of criminal offense a person is charged with, an experienced attorney in Georgiana could review the allegations against them and build their defense.

If you are facing criminal charges or prosecution, a Butler County criminal lawyer could serve as your legal counsel. An intelligent attorney could explain your legal options while standing by your side during this trying time. Call today for assistance with your case.