What is the Maximum Fine for a Felony?

November 20, 2024

A felony is a serious crime, punishable by more than one year in prison and hefty fines. If you have been charged with a criminal offense in California, you can expect to pay up to $10,000 in fines. Even after serving time and paying your fine, a felony conviction will stay on your record forever, impacting your ability to find work or suitable housing.

If you are facing criminal allegations, our Santa Barbara criminal defense lawyers want to hear from you. We have successfully helped countless clients get their charges dropped or reduced.

What Crimes are Considered Felonies in Santa Barbara?

A felony is any criminal offense that carries at least one year of imprisonment in the county jail or state prison or is punishable by the death penalty. Lesser offenses that include a maximum of one year in prison are misdemeanors, with the exception of infractions (traffic offenses). 

The provisions for a felony are outlined under California Penal Code §17(a) PC. Common examples of felonies in Santa Barbara include:

Wobbler Crimes in Santa Barbara

Some felonies can be reduced to a misdemeanor. These are known as “wobbler” crimes:

A felony is punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000, although exact amounts are up to the discretion of the court. Although the statutory fine for conspiracy is $10,000, if you conspire to commit identity theft, you may be fined as much as $25,000.

Hiring Tenacious Representation to Defend Felony Charges

A felony charge involves the most serious penalties, making it essential that you hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer. At Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, our Santa Barbara criminal defense lawyers believe that no matter who you are, you deserve the right to exceptional representation. We pride ourselves on providing our clients with an aggressive defense, giving them the best chance of maintaining their freedom.

Our team of attorneys thoroughly understands the California Penal Code and knows what elements must be present in each crime. If we believe that you have mistakenly been charged with a felony, we will file a 17(b) motion to get your charge reduced to a misdemeanor. A 17(b) motion may be filed after your preliminary hearing, sentencing hearing, or once you have completed probation. 

However, there are times that you may be ineligible for a 17(b) reduction. In that case, we will explore other methods to help you receive a lesser sentence. At Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, we believe that the criminal justice system has stood the test of time because of its never-ending commitment to seeking the truth. We are honored to be able to help our clients preserve their legal rights by being your advocate along the way.

Facing Felony Charges? Contact Our Santa Barbara Criminal Defense Lawyers Today

The attorneys at Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, understand the stress that a felony charge creates for a family. If you or a loved one has been accused of committing a felony, do not hesitate to contact our legal team. To schedule your free case evaluation with a Santa Barbara criminal defense lawyer, contact us online or by phone today.