Fargo Criminal Misdemeanor Defense Lawyers

A misdemeanor is a minor criminal charge that can lead to up to a year in prison, financial fines, community service, and license suspension. Criminal defense lawyers like those at Sand Law can help develop legal defense plans to clear someone’s name of a misdemeanor charge.

Common misdemeanors in Fargo include drunk driving, simple assault, trespassing, and indecent exposure. Fargo civilians can be charged with one of three classes of misdemeanors depending on the severity of the crime. The statute of limitations for misdemeanors is two years.

Residents and visitors of Fargo, one of North Dakota’s largest cities, can engage in unlawful behavior that can lead to misdemeanor charges. These are criminal charges that result from minor unlawful behavior, such as reckless driving, trespassing, shoplifting, and simple assault. Fargo has many cultural attractions that can have visitors who engage in unlawful behavior.

While these crimes are not as severe as something like murder, they can still expose others to physical, emotional, or financial harm. Perpetrators of these crimes may have to serve up to a year in prison. If you were charged with a misdemeanor in Fargo, the criminal defense lawyers at Sand Law can use their experience and expertise to help you defend yourself.

Why You Should Choose Sand Law for Help With Your Fargo Misdemeanor Defense Case

Sand Law’s criminal defense lawyers have been operating across North Dakota for years, helping those accused of crimes defend themselves. Our experienced trial attorneys have expertise in each step of the criminal defense process. They can help you collect evidence, craft a legal defense plan, handle court proceedings, and negotiate a fair plea agreement.

Our criminal defense attorneys have built the skills necessary to help with your case through years of developing legal counsel plans and going to trial. They have specific experience helping North Dakota citizens fight against claims of criminal behavior and can assist you in clearing your name of wrongdoing from a misdemeanor charge.

Those charged with misdemeanors in Fargo should seek legal representation immediately. Having trusted counsel in your corner from the beginning can help with the process and give you a voice to defend yourself from claims of wrongdoing. Contact Sand Law today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you clear your name of a misdemeanor charge.

Sand Law Misdemeanor Defense Case Results

The criminal defense lawyers at Sand Law have a proven process for earning results for our clients. Our six-step process involves learning about you and your case, understanding the details, strategizing a legal counsel plan, communicating with you through the process, executing the strategy, and resolving the case to give you peace of mind.

This strategy has helped us clear the names of many clients charged with misdemeanors. If you want to challenge a misdemeanor charge, our experienced Fargo criminal defense lawyers can use their proven process to earn you the results we expect from our lawyers. They can use their vast experience, expertise, and resources to help you clear your name of any unlawful actions.

The following are some Sand Law case results for misdemeanor charges:

• State v. K.F.: Driving Under the Influence (Misdemeanor) – Acquittal by Jury

• State v. M.G.: Possession of Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor) – Directed Verdict of Acquittal at Jury Trial

• State v. B.B.: Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor – Class B) – Acquittal by Jury

• State v. W.F.: Violation of Restraining Order x 2 (Misdemeanor) – Stay of Adjudication (Dismissal Upon Completing of Probation)

• State v. S.H.: Domestic Assault (Misdemeanor) – Stay of Adjudication (Dismissal Upon Completing of Probation)

What is a Misdemeanor in Fargo?

There are two types of crimes that someone in Fargo can be charged with: a felony or a misdemeanor. A felony is a more severe charge for violent, sexual, and financial crimes, such as rape, murder, kidnapping, and burglary. This type of crime can lead to over a year of jail time and thousands of dollars in financial fines.

A misdemeanor is a less serious crime that can still expose others to physical, emotional, and financial harm. These criminal offenses can lead to less than a year of jail time and smaller financial penalties than felony crimes.

People in Fargo can be charged with a misdemeanor when there is probable cause that they committed a crime worthy of a misdemeanor charge. After a misdemeanor charge, the prosecutor has a burden of proof to establish you committed the crime for you to have to experience punishments like prison time, fines, community service, and license suspension.

Common Examples of Misdemeanors That Can Occur in North Dakota

As mentioned above, misdemeanor charges come from less severe crimes. It’s less likely for someone to receive a misdemeanor charge after causing wrongful death, significant physical harm, or severe financial impact. However, people who commit misdemeanor charges still break laws and expose themselves to legal liability.

The following are some common examples of misdemeanors that can occur in North Dakota:

• First-time drunk driving offenses
• Driving on a suspended license or without insurance
• Reckless driving
• Trespassing
• Simple assault
• Shoplifting less valuable items
• Indecent exposure
• Drunk and disorderly conduct
• Possession of certain controlled substances
• Prostitution

After someone commits one of the above unlawful acts, law enforcement can investigate their connection to the crime and hand out a misdemeanor charge. Those charged with misdemeanors must develop a legal defense plan to help get themselves acquitted or have the misdemeanor charge dismissed.

The Three Classes of North Dakota Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors in North Dakota can break down into three separate classes. Each class depends on the severity of the crimes committed. They each result in different punishments, as a more severe misdemeanor that leads to a more serious charge can have more substantial penalties than a less severe crime.

The following are the three classes of North Dakota misdemeanors:

• Class A Misdemeanor: This is the most severe class of misdemeanor and can lead to up to one year of imprisonment. Some crimes that can lead to this type of misdemeanor charge include assault, vandalism, shoplifting, and resisting arrest.

• Class B Misdemeanor: This charge is still serious but will have less potential for prison time. Those charged with class B misdemeanors can serve up to 180 days in prison time or will have to pay fines, do community service, or serve house arrest. Some examples of class B misdemeanors include indecent exposure, reckless driving, and trespassing.

• Class C Misdemeanor: This is the most minor misdemeanor charge and can only lead to 30 days in prison. Those with clean criminal records can petition the court for probation rather than a prison sentence. Gambling, unpaid traffic tickets, public intoxication, and abandoning a child in a car can lead to a class C misdemeanor.

What is the Process for Handling a Misdemeanor in Fargo?

States have their own rules and processes for handling criminal cases. It’s important for people trying to clear their name of misdemeanors in Fargo to understand how North Dakota law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges will handle cases. They can use this information to understand how to craft a legal defense plan that can help them clear their name.

The following is the Fargo process for misdemeanor cases:

• Criminal investigation from Fargo law enforcement
• Law enforcement arrests or delivers a summons to the accused party
• Parties gather evidence during the discovery process
• Random jury selection occurs
• Court proceedings commence
• Negotiations for a plea agreement
• The verdict is announced by the judge
• Guilty parties are sentenced

A Fargo criminal defense lawyer can help explain the steps in this process and explain the best way to handle each step. They will have experience handling these steps in other cases and can advise on how to handle them to maximize your chances of success.

What Should You Do After Being Charged With a Misdemeanor in Fargo?

Following a misdemeanor charge in Fargo, there are certain steps that the accused should take. These steps can make the legal process much simpler, such as complying with local law enforcement. Certain steps can also help with developing a legal counsel plan to clear you of any wrongdoing.

The following are some things you should do after a misdemeanor charge in Fargo:

• Invoke your Miranda Rights
• Listen to and follow Fargo law enforcement
• Do not speak to law enforcement about crucial details of your case without a criminal defense lawyer present
• Hire a Fargo criminal defense attorney
• Write down every detail of your Fargo misdemeanor case that you can remember
• Do not talk about essential details of your misdemeanor case with friends and family
• Avoid using social media to talk about your misdemeanor case
• Pay financial penalties

Why Should You Hire a Fargo Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer?

Those charged with misdemeanors in Fargo should hire a criminal defense lawyer. They can help you with these steps involved in the legal process and can advise on the best way to handle these steps. After a misdemeanor charge, people must stay wary of mistakes that can affect their ability to clear their name.

An experienced legal defense attorney can be there every step of the process and help handle the process effectively and efficiently. They can explain the North Dakota laws that affect their case, collect evidence to clear their name, and represent them in court to prove to a jury that they did not commit the crime.

Contact Sand Law for Help With Your Fargo Misdemeanor Case

At Sand Law, our Fargo criminal defense lawyers have years of experience helping those charged with misdemeanors. We understand the effect a misdemeanor charge can have on someone’s life, as a charge on their record can make it more difficult to get a job.

Our criminal defense attorneys will use their significant experience with North Dakota cases to put you in the best position to succeed. They can communicate with you to develop a legal defense plan that caters to the specifics of your case.

If you were charged with a misdemeanor, you could contact Sand Law today for a free consultation and learn about our six-step process to clear your name. Contact us today for a free misdemeanor case evaluation at 701-394-5396 or on our online contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fargo Misdemeanors

What Misdemeanor Penalties Can You Experience Besides Imprisonment and Fines?

Misdemeanor charges can lead to penalties that people understand can happen after criminal charges, such as less than a year of prison time and financial fines. However, they can also lead to other punishments based on the committed crime. Nonviolent criminals who cannot pay fines may be subject to hours of community service, such as cleaning up public locations.

Drivers who commit reckless behavior, such as distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving, can have their license suspended. Those who commit drug or alcohol-related crimes may need to participate in treatment programs to help recover from addiction or co-dependence on drugs and alcohol.

Can You Be Held Liable for a Civil Case After a Misdemeanor Charge?

While misdemeanor charges have to do with legal wrongdoing, these incidents can cause victims to suffer economic and non-economic damages. Those who suffer damages from personal injury accidents can try to hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence.

It’s unlikely for something like trespassing or indecent exposure to lead to a civil claim. However, perpetrators of car accidents and simple assaults can be held liable for damages caused by their reckless or negligent behavior. Sand Law also has experienced personal injury attorneys who can help you handle the process of civil claims.

What is the Statute of Limitations for a North Dakota Misdemeanor?

The statute of limitations for a criminal charge is how long criminal prosecution has to file a charge with the accused criminal. People can only be held liable for unlawful actions for so long, and criminal prosecutors must file a charge within that specific time period.

Each state has its own statute of limitations for different crimes, with the time period differing based on whether a misdemeanor or felony was committed. Violent crimes have a different statute of limitations than less severe crimes. In North Dakota, the statute of limitations for a misdemeanor is two years from the date of the unlawful behavior.