Your Expert Felony Lawyer in San Diego

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If a felony charge has been filed against you in California, this can have life-changing consequences. Most felony convictions in California do not lead to the death penalty, but even less strict sentences like probation, parole, and prison terms can be devastating long term. I, felony lawyer Michael C. MacNeil, understand this, and I also realize that time is of the essence in a felony case. As a result, I am eager and ready to fight for you to help you to avoid a conviction in the Golden State.

How a Felony Lawyer Can Help You to Address Various Types of Felonies in California

Per California law, two categories of felonies exist in the state: straight felonies and wobblers. A straight felony is a type of crime that immediately has to be classified as a felony. An example is murder, firearm theft, rape, or transporting/selling a drug. A wobbler is a felony that may be reduced to a misdemeanor with the help of a felony attorney. Examples of these types of crimes include petty theft, assault, and possessing a drug.

Consequences of California Felonies

Felonies are typically punished through imprisonment, with three types of prison terms being possible: low (two years), middle (four years), and high (six years).

As a rule of thumb, felony offenders in California get the middle prison term. Offenders generally aren’t sentenced to high terms unless their crimes involve aggravating factors, such as extreme violence or weapon use. In addition, the low term is reserved for offenders whose participation in their crimes was minimal.

Note that punishments for California felonies can also include fines. If a fine amount is not spelled out in the California statute defining a given crime, a judge may end up imposing a fine that is no higher than $10,000. This fine may be in place of time behind bars, or it might be imposed in tandem with a jail/prison sentence.

FAQ

When Could Misdemeanor Charges Be Elevated to Felony Charges?

If you currently face a misdemeanor charge in San Diego, for example, this charge may become a felony if you have prior convictions, or if your case details are inflammatory. For instance, your petty theft misdemeanor could turn into a felony if you inadvertently injured someone while committing the theft.

In this situation, you may find yourself spending multiple years behind state prison bars. In addition, you may not be able to get your criminal conviction expunged. The felony will also count toward your three strikes per the state’s Three Strikes Law, which states that you must face between 25 years and life in prison without parole if you get three strikes.

Why Hire a Felony Lawyer When Facing a Felony in California?

A felony lawyer can search for evidence to prove your innocence in court. However, they can also help you to answer a number of specific questions that are critical to your case. These questions include the following:

Is your felony charge correct, or are you being overcharged?
Can you lower your bond?
Is the prosecution’s plea offer a fair one, or should you keep negotiating to secure a better one?
Is it in your best interest to proceed to trial?
What can you expect in the way of sentencing (e.g., prison, community corrections, probation)?

Seek the Help of Felony Lawyer Michael C. MacNeil Today

I, felony lawyer Michael C. MacNeil, am ready to represent you in court if you need felony help in California.

I will put your best interests first, which means you don’t have to worry about falling victim to unethical practices, like foot-dragging to boost billable hours. In addition, I will be the only one handling the details of your criminal case.

Call me today to schedule a free case evaluation. We’ll go over the details of your case and figure out how best to proceed to protect your rights and your future.

what people say

Michael was hired on short notice to handle our case and was successful at helping us obtain a permanent restraining order. Michael was thorough and detailed and kept us informed all along the way. We would not hesitate to obtain Michael's services again.
-C A.

Michael was amazing and thorough in all his advise. He told me up front about what he thought the settlement would be and he was spot on!He has the most reasonable fees for the area and provides exceptional service and attention.Go with Michael and you won't regret it!Doctor B
-Prakash B.

Michael MacNeil was able to successfully help us navigate through a family law issue that stumped every other attorney we spoke to. With regards to his ability to secure a move-away order, I am writing this review from Europe where I now live. Thanks Michael!
-Alex M.

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Andrew

19:29 10 Feb 24

I was dealing with a very malicious neighbor who filed baseless lawsuits as harassment to cover up their illegal construction. Michael sucessfully defeated them in court; and was also able to get them to pay my attorney fees, thereby detering further baseless lawsuits. Michael is unique in that he will work with his clients to devise feasible and successful court strategies, is affordable, is unassuming. and gets back to you when you have a question, unlike other attorneys. Michael also has a lot of experience since he spent many years as a deputy district attorney and in private practice dealing with a wide variety of civil and criminal cases. He knows his way around a court room. I was very satisfied with his representation and highly recommend Michael MacNeil if you need smart, effective representation.

Alan Lewis

23:53 20 Oct 23

As a former attorney, I can tell you that Michael is one of the best I've worked with. His advice is spot on, he gets the job done and doesn't overbill. If you're on the fence, this is your sign to hire him.

Angel Rosario

22:39 05 Aug 23

Excellent Attorney. Got my issues settled quickly and fairly!

Jon Clayton

03:59 28 Jan 23

Incredible. He is ethical and honest and what a family law attorney should be. He helped with a contempt issue and was spot on the entire time. He was easy to work with and incredible supportive. I would give him more stars if I could.

Shekia Drake

02:48 13 Jan 23

I cannot brag on Mr. MacNeil enough!! I thank God for him and giving me strength to get through my divorce. It was rough, but Mr. MacNeil gave me reassurance that everything would work out through communication and helping me understand this whole process. He's very honest, fair, and goes above and beyond for his clients. His communication is ON POINT! I was worry-free throughout majority of this process. BTW... I was not paid or begged to write this review. He's just that awesome in my opinion.

Ken Jeters

17:42 06 Jun 22

Mr. Michael MacNeil was my attorney for a very difficult divorce procedure. I could not have found a better attorney to represent me. Mr. MacNeil was exceptional in details, follow through, and outstanding representation in court. His knowledge, honest advisement and professionalism achieved a positive result that I will always owe him my debt of gratitude. I have never worked with a better attorney in my life.

Suzanne Fox

16:54 06 Jun 22

Mr. Michael MacNeil recently handled some family legal matters that were quite extensive. He is one of the most outstanding professionals we have ever worked with. He handled everything in a timely manner with a meticulous attention to details. We had the best representation and advocacy, and because of his outstanding work we had an excellent outcome. We highly recommend him and he is the only one we will use to handle any future legal matters if any arise.