"I understand that good people sometimes find themselves in bad situations."
To be eligible, the Class 6 felony charge must not involve an offense that was dangerous. A dangerous felony conviction does not allow probation which is critical in reducing the felony and thereby its penalties.
The court will take into consideration the circumstances and nature of the offense, as well as the defendant’s history and character.
It is important to note that the ability to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor does not apply to defendants who have been previously convicted of two or more felonies.
An undesignated offense is defined as the offense that results in either a felony or a misdemeanor. The felony is still treated as such until the court “designates” the offense as a misdemeanor.
The offense can be deemed as a misdemeanor if the attorney prosecuting the case files with the court one of three considerations, any one of which will do:
An “information” designating the offense as a misdemeanor
A complaint in municipal or justice court designating the offense as a misdemeanor within the court’s jurisdiction, or
A complaint with the defendant’s consent amending the charge to a misdemeanor before or during a preliminary hearing of the case
If the court forms the opinion that a sentence for the felony would be “unduly harsh” in a particular case, the court may decide to reduce the conviction to a Class 1 misdemeanor.
However, the court will order the defendant to be placed on probation and will not designate the offense as a Class 1 misdemeanor until the period of probation required is successfully finished, including the conditions of probation along with its fees, fines, and restitution.
When the term of probation is finished it is best to check the criminal record to ensure that the undesignated felony has been reduced.
Another way to have a Class 6 felony charge reduced to a Class 1 misdemeanor is by entering into a plea agreement with the prosecution.
A skilled defense attorney may find issues with the prosecution’s case or identify procedural problems. If so, the prosecution will let the defendant plead guilty to a Class 1 misdemeanor or an undesignated Class 6 felony that can be reduced to a misdemeanor later if all the terms of probation are met. The defense attorney can also negotiate the terms of probation so the terms are manageable for the defendant.
However, a defendant who has a prior felony conviction likely will not be successful in getting the current Class 6 felony reduced.
Also, all plea agreements must be approved by the court, but the court does not have to accept the deal worked out by the defense and prosecution.
Arizona does not allow a conviction to be expunged, meaning removed, from criminal records, but “setting aside” a nonviolent felony conviction is possible under Arizona Revised Statute §13-905.” This legal avenue is limited to defendants who have not been previously convicted of a felony.
Setting aside removes the judgement of guilt and all penalties stemming from the conviction. People who research the background of a prospective employee or residential renter will see on the criminal history that the conviction has been set aside. The researcher’s opinion of the person will have a better impression.
The court in weighing a set aside application considers several factors including any prior convictions, the circumstances of the crime, and how much time has passed since the crime occurred. A felony involving a victim who was younger than 15 cannot be set aside.
Setting aside a felony conviction also means that civil rights, including owning and possessing a firearm and the right to vote can be restored.
If a felony cannot be reduced, the convicted felon faces severe punishments. A felony conviction has far reaching ramifications into a felon’s financial, family, and personal well-being.
The conviction means time in prison, expensive fines and fees, the loss of the Second Amendment right to own and possess a firearm, losing the right to vote in local and federal elections, hold public office, admonished from a citizen’s duty to serve on jury, an order to pay restitution, a term of probation with restrictive conditions, difficulty in keeping or finding a job, revocation or suspension of a professional license ending a career, and a criminal record that will follow you for a lifetime.
Personally, the felony conviction can harm a marriage or relationships with children, relatives, friends and coworkers.
A designation as a misdemeanor conviction avoids all of the felony punishments with the exception of a criminal record that is posted online for everyone to see.
This area of law requires a skilled attorney who has represented people in this situation.
It is imperative to be successful in reducing a Class 6 felony that you have legal representation as early as possible to design and build arguments for achieving the misdemeanor designation. Most people do not know a criminal defense lawyer, so it is best to determine your legal needs and search for an attorney based on the lawyer’s experience and demeanor.
The Law Office of Aaron M. Black is dedicated to aggressively defending people in legal trouble and I am well-versed in reducing nonviolent Class 6 felonies to Class 1 misdemeanors.
I provide individualized services so you will always be talking directly to me, never an assistant.
I am rated in the top one percent of the finest lawyers in the nation by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and I am listed in the Top 100 trial lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Contact me by calling 480-729-1683 at any time, day or night, weekends or holidays. Or use my easy contact form. I will respond promptly unless I am in court. I defend criminal charges in federal, state, city and justice courts in and near Maricopa County.
He fought for me and treated me with great respect.
- Chanel X.
Mr. Aaron Black was impressive in every facet of the case, from preparation to closing arguments. It was evident he was confident and passionate about defending my father in a 3-day trial. Aaron and his expert witness left no doubt in the outcome of the case, his arguments were masterfully developed and persuasive. His closing was natural, persuasive and a pleasure to watch. I had supreme confidence knowing he was on our team! I would absolutely recommend Mr. Aaron Black as a defense attorney.
- David M.
