Connecticut Criminal Defense

Charged with a Crime in Connecticut?

Criminal Defense Lawyers Explain Charges and Penalties

A criminal conviction can drastically affect the rest of your life. You may face the possibility of jail time, fines and other penalties, and your reputation may be damaged. Additionally, a conviction may prevent you from finding work and/or housing in the future. Since so much hangs in the balance, you should always work a criminal defense lawyer with a history of success. Even innocence is not always an ironclad defense – law enforcement and prosecutors may not care about your side of the story, but will simply focus on getting a conviction. An attorney can work to enforce your rights and expose any misconduct or negligence that may have led to your arrest. In many cases, a good lawyer can get your charges or penalties reduced, minimizing the negative impact on your life.

If you have been arrested or someone you know was taken into police custody, then you should find a lawyer as quickly as possible. No matter what kinds of charges you face, from a misdemeanor to a felony, finding an attorney you trust is essential. To speak with a local Connecticut criminal lawyer today, consult our local listings.

What Are the Basic Types of Criminal Charges?

The type of criminal charge you face may vary depending on the nature of the alleged crime. Although each state has its own specific classifications, the general types of charges are:

• Infraction. An infraction is the least serious type of charge you can face. In fact, some states handle infractions as civil cases, rather than criminal cases. Traffic violations and other minor offenses usually fall into this category. Jail is generally not a possibility for infractions, so you are not entitled to a jury trial and the state will usually not appoint you a lawyer. However, you can still hire one of your own.
• Petty offense. Some states categorize low-level criminal conduct as petty offenses. This may include illegal acts like gambling, disturbing the peace, public indecency, pollution violations and theft of items of low value.
• Misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is a more serious charge and county courts typically handle these cases. Common misdemeanor charges include assault, criminal trespass, theft and certain drug crimes, including possession and sale.
• Felony. This is the most serious type of criminal charge and state and/or federal courts usually handle these cases. Common felonies include murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, vehicular homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and certain drug crimes.

In some cases, a criminal defense lawyer can negotiate on your behalf with the prosecution to reduce the severity of the charges you face. If the court reduces your charge from a low-level felony to a misdemeanor, for example, then the repercussions you face may be much less serious.

What Is the Penalty for a Misdemeanor in Connecticut?

Each state has its own system for classifying misdemeanor and felony charges, and penalties may vary as well. The general penalties you may face for different types of criminal charges in Connecticut are:

• Class A Misdemeanors. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious misdemeanors in Connecticut, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000. An example of a crime in this class is prostitution.
• Class B Misdemeanors. A class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. An example of a crime in this class is embezzlement of property worth $500 to $1,000.
• Class C Misdemeanors. A class C misdemeanor conviction can result in a jail term of up to three months and/or a fine of up to $500. An example of a crime in this class is theft of property worth $500 or less.
• Class D Misdemeanors. Class D misdemeanors are the least serious misdemeanors in Connecticut, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $250.

What Is the Penalty for a Felony in Connecticut?

Like misdemeanors, each state has its own system for what qualifies as a felony and what penalties may result from a conviction. In Connecticut, possible felony charges and penalties include:

• Capital Felonies. People convicted of ‘capital felonies”, otherwise known as “murder with special circumstances” in Connecticut will be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Capital felony specifies causing the death of another person, intentional murder or otherwise, while committing, attempting to commit, acting in furtherance of, or fleeing any of the following felony crimes:
  • Robbery.
  • Burglary.
  • Kidnapping.
  • First degree sexual assault.
  • Third degree sexual assault.
  • Third degree sexual assault with a firearm.
  • First and second degree escape.
• Class A Felonies. A class A felony is punishable by ten to 50 years’ or 25 years' to life imprisonment and/pr a fine of up to $20,000. Sexual assault of a child under the age of 12 is a class A felony.
• Class B Felonies. A class B felony conviction can result in a prison term of one to 40 years and a fine of up to $15,000. Theft of property or services worth more than $20,000 is a class B felony.
• Class C Felonies. Class C felonies are punishable by one to ten years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. A person who misrepresents his or her age in order to entice a child can be convicted of a class C felony.
• Class D Felonies. A class D felony is the least serious type of felony in Connecticut, punishable by a state prison term of one to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. Promoting (advancing or profiting from) prostitution is a class D felony.

Additionally, Connecticut imposes special sentence for “Persistent Offenders”. People who have prior felony convictions can expect to receive longer prison sentences than first time offenders, even when the two people are convicted of the same offense.

Need a Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyer? We Can Help

If you are facing any level of criminal charge, then a qualified lawyer may be essential to protecting your future. Additionally, if someone you know is currently in police custody, then you may wish to reach out to a lawyer on his or her behalf. To find a Connecticut criminal defense lawyer in your area, then consult our attorney listings. If you have general question about criminal law or certain charges, then do not hesitate to ask the lawyers™.