What to Do if You’re Facing a Felony Charge in Redding, CA: Your Legal Defense Options

If you’re facing a felony charge in Redding, CA, your freedom could be in jeopardy if you’re convicted. Other areas of your life can be affected by a conviction as well, including your job. Understanding your legal rights and options is crucial. Below is a breakdown of what to do if you’re facing a felony charge in Redding, CA. First, it’s never a bad idea to seek consultation with a Redding criminal defense lawyer if you haven’t already.

Why Choose Eric Alan Berg & Associates for Your Felony Case?

Eric Alan Berg has met the strict standards necessary to be named a Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board. Our firm’s impressive credentials and decades of experience mean we’re ready to take on your felony case, no matter how difficult or complex it may be.

Understanding Felony Charges in Redding, CA

The Shasta County Jail, located on West St in Redding, has seen an increase in inmates convicted of felonies. In fact, on January 1, 2025, the felon-to-misdemeanor ratio was 373:5. A felony is a crime that results in a minimum of one year of imprisonment in a state or federal facility.

If you’re facing federal charges, it’s important to understand that there is a 90% conviction rate for felony cases. For this reason, primarily, you need to hire a felony lawyer as soon as possible. We can’t stress enough that early involvement of a criminal defense lawyer can make a significant difference in your case. Some of the reasons for this are listed below:

• An attorney can advise you against incriminating yourself early on.
• An attorney can make sure you are treated fairly and that evidence is collected properly ahead of time.
• The more time a lawyer has to investigate the case, the better prepared the defense will be.
• Evidence can be better secured earlier rather than later.
• Time gives an attorney the advantage of going over the prosecutor’s case against you.
• Early negotiations between the attorney and the prosecution, before formal charges are filed, can potentially result in a better chance of reduced charges.

If the window for seeking early legal representation has closed, it’s never too late. Hiring an experienced attorney remains crucial to your case.

Building an Effective Criminal Defense Strategy for Felony Charges in Redding

Building a criminal defense strategy is mostly done by your lawyer, but you will have to cooperate to ensure a good chance of success. If necessary, an attorney may call in trusted third-party professionals, such as investigators, to uncover evidence that will support your case. Useful evidence may include surveillance footage, witness statements, police reports, etc.

If the prosecution has obtained any evidence illegally, your attorney can challenge whether this evidence is admissible. If your attorney finds the evidence isn’t sufficient for a not-guilty plea, they can discuss other options, such as taking a plea deal for a reduced charge and penalty. When a plea deal is offered, most lawyers recommend that their client take the deal to prevent the case from going to trial. However, every strong attorney should be prepared for litigation.

Alternative Sentences for Felonies

California offers multiple diversion programs as an alternative to traditional imprisonment, particularly for non-violent offenders. Informal supervision or probation is sometimes an option that can prevent confinement in exchange for treatment, counseling, or rehabilitation programs. Another benefit of these programs is their effectiveness. Statistics indicate that they may be working, that is, for individuals who are convicted and complete an alternative program.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation recently reported that for convicted criminals who have participated in alternative sentencing, their likelihood to re-offend declined in 2020 by almost 3%. For youth, the study showed that fire camp programs were also effective in lowering the rate of repeat offenses. Speak with your lawyer to see if one of these programs is a potential option for you instead of traditional Redding felony penalties.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Most Typical Punishment for a First-Time Time Felony?

A: For non-violent cases, the most common penalty for a first-time felony conviction is probation. If it is a violent felony conviction, it is more likely to result in prison time. Many factors can play a part in a convicted criminal’s sentencing, however. For instance, prior misdemeanor convictions, remorse, willingness to cooperate or participate in rehab programs, and jurisdiction can play a role in sentencing.

Q: What Is the New Law in California for Felons?

A: The most recent bill passed in California that impacts felons is Senate Bill 731. This bill allows felony convictions for certain non-violent, non-sexual, and non-serious crimes to be automatically sealed. This can help individuals convicted of these crimes secure employment more easily than with a felony criminal record shown on their background report. Sealing records is not the same as expungement, though, as sealed records are only concealed from the public.

Q: Can a Felony Charge Be Dropped in California?

A: Yes, a felony charge can be dropped in California. There are a few scenarios in which this could happen. Having a felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor is one way to get a felony charge dropped. Diversion programs can also lead to the dismissal of a charge. The dropping of charges by the court is also a possibility if the judge finds there was insufficient evidence, no probable cause, or mishandling of some aspect of the case.

Q: What Should You Do if You Have a Felony Charge?

A: If you have a felony charge, the next thing you should do is connect with a criminal defense attorney. An attorney can advise you on your legal rights and direct you toward an appropriate defense strategy to minimize the charge or penalty. If you don’t hire an attorney, a likely alternative and potential worst-case scenario is spending a minimum of one year in state or federal prison.

Hire a Felony Lawyer

If you still don’t know what to do if you’re facing a felony charge in Redding, CA, call an aggressive and reputable criminal defense attorney in Redding. Contact the team at Eric Alan Berg & Associates today to request an evaluation. We understand what you’re going through, and you don’t have to face the criminal process alone.

See Related Posts:

• How To Find the Right California Lawyer?
• Understanding the Felony Court Process in Redding, CA: Key Steps in Your Defense
• Do I Need A Criminal Defense Lawyer in California If I am Innocent?