Criminal Defense Attorney in Manhattan, Kansas
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Handling Cases from Minor Offenses to First Degree Murder
As a former prosecutor, Nicholas Heiman has worked on a variety of cases ranging from minor misdemeanors to severe felonies. Wherever your criminal offense may fit in that range, you’ll benefit from his expertise in working on everything from speeding tickets to first-degree murder. He has experience working with juries and will help prepare you for trial if your case does come to that.
Understanding Your Rights
When charged with a crime, never forget that you have the right to remain silent. You don’t need to speak to the police until you have an attorney present, and it’s recommended to do so to protect yourself from self-incrimination. With Nicholas Heiman’s experience, he has the knowledge to not only fight aggressively on your behalf but also to make sure you understand your rights and the process along the way. If you’ve been issued a criminal charge, contact Nicholas immediately for a free consultation.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony
Trying to understand the punishment for misdemeanor versus felony charges can be confusing, especially with the Kansas felony grid system. Attorney Nicholas Heiman will share his expertise and walk you through the charges as well as your potential outcomes.
Your sentence will depend on the severity of the crime. Misdemeanors are reserved for smaller infractions while felonies will involve serious jail time. Misdemeanors can be unclassified or given a class of A, B, or C, with A being the most severe. These offenses can range from drug possession (Class A) to solicitation (Class C).
Maximum Sentences for Kansas Misdemeanors
Class A - Up to one year in county jail and/or a $2,500 fine
Class B - Up to six months in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine
Class C - Up to 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine
Felonies involve more serious crimes and therefore have a more complicated process to determine what your punishment should be. If you are convicted in Kansas, the court will take two things into consideration when it comes to sentencing: the severity of the crime and prior convictions. The severity of the crime can range from 1 to 10, with 1 being the most serious. They will then cross-reference this with your criminal history on a scale of A to I; being assigned an A would mean that you have several past priors, and I would mean you have a clean record. After receiving your letter and number, a couple of things can happen. If you have a high number and a letter that comes later in the alphabet, you may qualify for probation. Otherwise, you’ll be given a range of three numbers which are options for your length of stay in prison, and the court will choose a number they deem appropriate for your situation.