Misdemeanor criminal charges, although considered less severe than a felony crime, may still result in significant fines and jail time. In some situations, circumstances of a misdemeanor crime may exist which may elevate the charges to a felony charge, such as the severity of the crime, injuries of a victim, and your prior criminal record.

Any criminal conviction has the potential of you receiving jail time, and therefore must be taken seriously and aggressively defended. A misdemeanor conviction may follow you around for a long time, and may affect the choices and opportunities which you may seek to pursue regarding employment matters, educational opportunities, housing issues, or other areas of your life.

Misdemeanor crime conviction penalties commonly include:

• Minor misdemeanor charges: no prison time and up to $150.00 fine;

• Fourth degree misdemeanor charges: no more than 30 days in prison and up to $250 fine;

• Third degree misdemeanor charges: no more than 60 days in prison and up to $500 fine;

• Second degree misdemeanor charges: no more than 90 days in prison and up to $750 fine;

• First degree misdemeanor charges: no more than 180 days in prison and up to $1,000 fine.

Depending upon the circumstances and evidence against you, we may be able to get the misdemeanor charges dropped, reduced, negotiate on your behalf for a diversion program, or probation instead of jail time. Of course our primary goal is to get your misdemeanor charges dropped, and protect your freedom.

In addition to the standard fines and penalties awarded for a misdemeanor conviction, depending upon the misdemeanor crime you are convicted of, and the circumstances of the offense, you may also be subjected to:

• Suspension of your driving privileges;

• Attend mandatory anger management classes;

• Having your license revoked;

• Potential vehicle forfeiture;

• Community service;

• Lengthy terms of probation;

• Forfeiture of property or assets;

• Forfeiture of certain basic civil rights (felony convictions).

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor crime in the Perrysburg, Toledo, Maumee, Sylvania, Lambertville or the Northwest Ohio and Southwest Michigan areas, contact an experienced attorney & lawyer at Stephen A. Skiver & Associates, LLC, today by calling (419) 931-0067 (Ohio) or (734) 568-0136 (Michigan).

As a progressive law firm dealing with today's legal issues, we provide you the voice of experience, and quality legal representation in your misdemeanor defense or other criminal defense legal needs.

Serving the Perrysburg, Toledo, Lambertville, Northwest Ohio, and Southeast Michigan area; providing professional Misdemeanor Defense Attorney & Lawyer legal services.