Felonies

Facing New Haven Felony Charges? Build the Toughest Defense Possible

Under Connecticut law, criminal offenses are divided into misdemeanors and felonies. While both crimes carry grave consequences to your freedom and finances, felonies are typically considered the most serious category of crime. In our state, felonies are penalized with minimum prison stays of a year (up to life behind bars) in addition to huge fines and stringent probationary terms.

However, while prison, fines, and probation may seem harsh, these penalties are only the beginning of the lifelong consequences associated with a felony conviction in Connecticut. With a conviction on your record, your felony will follow you for your entire life, impacting your ability to find a job, secure housing, or apply for a loan.

Worse, Connecticut criminal records can be accessed by anyone with a computer, internet access, and the fee to perform a background check – a group that includes, among many others, prospective employers, landlords, and loan officers.

We say this not to scare you, but to impress upon you the seriousness of your felony charges. As an experienced New Haven criminal lawyer, I know just how tough Connecticut courts can be on felony defendants.

I also believe that everyone – no matter the severity of their alleged crime – has a right to quality legal defense. Do not let overzealous prosecutors, aggressive law enforcement officials, or social stigma discourage you from your right to a fair trial.

At The Law Office of Douglas D. Rudolph, we never back down from a fight merely because it seems tough. If we believe we can get you a better outcome, we will continue battling right up to the end. No matter what type of Connecticut felony charges you are up against, my legal team and I can help you fight for the best possible resolution to your case.

What to Expect After Being Charged With a Connecticut Felony

After being charged with a felony, you may be feeling upset, scared, and even surprised. I have found that in many cases, defendants are shocked to find they are facing felony charges when they did not know they were committing a serious offense.

This may be due to the changes Connecticut has made to criminal laws over the last 20 years, changing many offenses that were once considered misdemeanors into felonies.How many? A recent report from the state reveals that more than 40 misdemeanors were escalated into felonies since 1995.

State lawmakers have amended these criminal laws in an attempt to seem hard on crime, but the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony conviction can be tremendous. For example, a Class A misdemeanor – the most serious type of misdemeanor in Connecticut – is punishable by up to one year in jail. However, a Class E felony – the least serious type of felony in our state – comes with up to three years in prison.

That is just one example. To give you additional perspective, I will outline the penalties associated with felony charges below.

• Class A felony or capital felony (murder with special circumstances): Penalized by life in prison without release and a fine of up to $20,000
• Class A felony (murder): Penalized by 25 to 60 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000
• Class A felony (aggravated sexual assault of a minor): Penalized by 25 to 50 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000
• Class A felony: Penalized by 10 to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000
• Class B felony (first-degree manslaughter with a firearm): Penalized by 5 to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000
• Class C felony: Penalized by 1 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
• Class D felony: Penalized by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000
• Class E felony: Penalized by up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to $3,500

In addition to punishments for first-time offenders, Connecticut enforces additional penalties for those who have prior felony convictions. If you have already been convicted of a felony in the past, you are likely to be given a longer prison sentence than a first time offender for the same crime.

When you are facing prison time, staggering fines, and lifelong damage to your career and personal life, you want the strongest legal team possible in your corner. I urge you not to try and take on felony charges on your own. At the Law Office of Douglas D. Rudolph, I have the experience, resources, and tenacity to give you the best possible chance at getting your felony charges reduced or dropped entirely.

Douglas D. Rudolph: The New Haven Felony Attorney You Want in Your Corner

Why should you choose to work with The Law Office of Douglas D. Rudolph?

First and foremost, my firm has an intimate knowledge of Connecticut’s complex criminal justice system. My New Haven legal practice is dedicated to one area of the law: criminal defense. Moreover, I have worked to build relationships with prosecutors and judges, giving me the influence and reach needed to persuasively argue your case. In courtrooms throughout Connecticut, I have helped many defendants have their felony charges reduced or dropped entirely.

The success I have earned through my tenacity and creative defense strategies has not gone unnoticed. I have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers as a “Top 40 Under 40” attorney and The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys as a lawyer Top 10 Under 40.

However, while I am proud of these awards, I am even more proud of the guidance I have provided and the favorable results I have earned for my clients during one of the most frightening times in their lives. Work with me and you will always be treated like a human being deserving of dignity and respect rather than a case number or a list of charges.

You matter. So act like it and get yourself the strongest defense possible.

Call the Law Office of Douglas D. Rudolph to Fight Felony Charges Today

When facing New Haven felony charges, time is of the essence. The first move you should make if you are under investigation, arrested, or charged with any kind of offense is to contact a Connecticut criminal defense attorney. Your lawyer can advise you on your rights and options while preventing you from saying or doing anything that could further incriminate you.

To learn more about felony charges in Connecticut, get in touch with me at The Law Office of Douglas D. Rudolph. I work with clients accused of serious crimes in New Haven and across the state, and my initial consultation is always free. As soon as you contact my office, we can start building a strong defense to keep your felony charges from impacting the rest of your life.

Call us today at (203) 343-7579 or contact us online.