[[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question","text":"Every case with criminal charges is different, but in general, just pleading guilty without the benefit of an experienced criminal defense attorney is the last thing you want to do. If charges have been filed against you, the police, prosecutors, and judge are not on your side and cannot give you legal advice.\u00a0The sentence you get if you just plead guilty may not reflect an accurate representation of the facts of the case or just punishment for what happened.  There are a number of defenses that can be presented in a felony case. These include technical defenses such as self-defense or duress, as well as establishing holes or errors in their evidence.\u00a0Because\u00a0felony law is complex and changes frequently, it is important to\u00a0find a criminal offenses lawyer for felony charges who keeps pace\u00a0with its evolution and is prepared to examine every aspect of the prosecution\u2019s case and challenge the problematic areas.  Just because you have been charged with a crime, does not mean that you will be convicted.\u00a0The state has the burden of proof and must prove their case to a jury or judge beyond a reasonable doubt. Our job is to\u00a0present the best possible defense\u00a0in order to show the holes or the problems in their case.","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Answer"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question1","text":"The possible consequences you may face if convicted of a felony include probation, a fine, driver\u2019s license suspension, community service, substance abuse classes, or jail time depending on the result of the testing or conviction and whether there are prior convictions on your record.  There are possibly collateral consequences as well. For instance, certain criminal convictions make you ineligible for some types of government assistance, including housing, food, and federal loan or grant assistance, disqualify you from voting or serving in some of the armed forces, and make you ineligible for adopting a child.  If you are convicted of a drug-related offense, there may be\u00a0mandatory substance abuse classes\u00a0that could cost you hundreds and thousands of dollars.\u00a0Having a conviction on\u00a0your record may affect employment opportunities.\u00a0If you are not a U.S. citizen, some convictions could prevent you from getting or renewing a visa, or becoming a naturalized citizen, or could result in deportation, depending on the crime.","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Answer1"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question2","text":"A felony conviction does not automatically result in jail time. Although felony convictions usually result in stiffer penalties than misdemeanor convictions, some sentences may not involve jail time.","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Answer2"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. In South Carolina, felonies are mostly divided into\u00a0different classes\u00a0based on the severity of the alleged crime and whether it was a repeat offense.\u00a0Some felonies are exempt from classification and carry their own ranges of maximum sentencing. Those exempt felonies include crimes like\u00a0murder, sex crimes, and first-degree burglary.  The most serious category of felonies is Class A, and the least serious is Class F. The maximum penalty allowed for conviction of a\u00a0Class A felony is 30 years incarceration, and the maximum penalty allowed for a\u00a0Class F felony is 5 years incarceration, but the exempt felonies could carry\u00a0a range of penalties from no jail time to capital punishment.","name":"Answer Question3","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Answer3"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","name":"Rock Hill Felony Defense Lawyer","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Should I Just Accept a Plea So That I Can Put This All Behind Me?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Answer"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Question"},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the Possible Consequences of a Felony Conviction in South Carolina?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Answer1"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Question1"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does Every Felony Conviction Involve Jail Time?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Answer2"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Question2"}],"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#FAQPage"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Question","name":"Are There Different Levels or Classes of Felonies in South Carolina?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Answer3"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#Question3"}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Criminal Defense","item":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Felony Offense","item":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/criminal-defense-lawyers\/felony-charges\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]