All allegations of wrongdoing that result in an arrest or criminal citation are serious matters. Even a misdemeanor-level case could lead to a criminal record and require you to spend time in jail after a conviction. Even worse, cases that fall into the category of felonies often come with mandatory-minimum prison sentences and other life-altering consequences.

Hiring a Bridgeport criminal lawyer to protect your interests as soon as possible could help to lessen the chances of these outcomes. At Ruane Attorneys, our legal team works to explain the laws that control your case, determine what a prosecutor must prove in court, identify realistic goals, and fight for your rights throughout the proceedings.

Misdemeanor And Felony Cases In Bridgeport

Having legal representation is critical for any criminal matters. State law separates offenses into two main categories: misdemeanors and felonies.

Misdemeanor Charges

Misdemeanor allegations are less serious than felonies. These usually involve incidents of minor property damage or cases that end without serious injury. Common examples in Bridgeport include assaults under Connecticut General Statute § 53a-61 and allegations of DUI under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a.

In every misdemeanor case, the maximum penalty under the law is one year in jail, the payment of a fine, or both. A conviction is unlikely to result in jail time unless a defendant has an extensive criminal record.

Examples of Felony Cases

More severe allegations fall into the category of felonies. A conviction can bring more than one year in prison as a penalty, and some cases even come with mandatory minimum punishments.

Common examples of felonies include burglaries under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-101 and forms of serious larceny, such as those outlined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-122.

Whether a case involves an alleged felony or a misdemeanor, a local attorney at our firm is prepared to build an effective defense.

Helping Defeat A Prosecutor’s Case

Combating any allegation of wrongdoing in a Bridgeport court requires knowledge of the law and strict attention to detail. From the legal perspective, it is essential to understand the elements of the charge that the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. It is also vital to contest those pieces of information and introduce new evidence that helps to dispute the prosecutors.

Pre-Trial Motions

A Bridgeport criminal defense lawyer is ready to help from day one of a case. They could evaluate the statutes under which a prosecutor is bringing charges and compare them to the evidence in the case. A lawyer could evaluate the police work that led to an arrest and work to exclude evidence through preliminary motions before a judge.

Defense in Court

An attorney can present evidence and arguments before a jury that questions the credibility of a prosecutor’s case while raising the concept of reasonable doubt in jurors’ minds. It is best to contact a Bridgeport criminal lawyer as soon as possible to begin building a powerful defense.

Speak With A Bridgeport Criminal Attorney Today

Every moment following an arrest is critical to a criminal defense case. An attorney could help shield you against intense police questioning, challenge the admissibility of evidence, help uncover useful information to present in court, and make cogent arguments before judges and juries.

Reach out to a Bridgeport criminal lawyer now. Ruane Attorneys are here to protect your rights under the law, question the legality of police actions, argue for fair bail terms, and fight for your best interests. Contact us now to set up a consultation.