Delaware Misdemeanor Lawyer

While misdemeanor charges are less serious than felonies, a misdemeanor conviction can still have severe and far-reaching consequences, and you must take the charges seriously. Penalties for a misdemeanor conviction can include fines, probation, community service, and restitution. In severe cases, a misdemeanor conviction can lead to time in jail.

To give yourself the best chance of beating the charge and avoiding the most serious consequences of a conviction, you should hire an experienced misdemeanor lawyer.

Delaware defense attorney Brian J. Chapman has over 20 years of experience in criminal law, including several years working as a Delaware Deputy Attorney. He is a veteran trial lawyer who knows how to guide clients through the legal process and obtain an optimal resolution in their case. In some cases that means outright dismissal of the charges. In others, it means negotiating a favorable resolution and a plea bargain to a less severe crime, less severe penalties, or both.

Contact the Law Office of Brian J. Chapman today to schedule a confidential appointment with a misdemeanor lawyer to discuss your situation and how we can help.

What Is a Misdemeanor Crime?

Every state classifies crimes as misdemeanors or felonies. Felony charges are reserved for more serious crimes and are punishable by more than a year in prison. Misdemeanor crimes are less severe and the maximum penalty is generally less than a year in prison. Examples of misdemeanor criminal charges include disorderly conduct, public intoxication, harassment, offensive touching, reckless endangerment, and urinating in public.

Even though misdemeanor crimes are less serious than felonies, the consequences of a conviction can be severe and the charges must be taken seriously.

Penalties for a Misdemeanor Conviction in Delaware

Delaware divides misdemeanor crimes into classes based on the seriousness of the offense and the severity of the potential punishment.

• Class A Misdemeanors are the most serious type of misdemeanor in Delaware. They are punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $2,300.
• A Class B Misdemeanor is less serious than a Class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,150.
• Unclassified Misdemeanors are crimes that do not fall under Class A or Class B but that still considered misdemeanor offenses. The penalties for an unclassified misdemeanor are defined in the statute. These crimes include certain traffic offenses and violations of local ordinances.

Representing Students in Public Intoxication Cases

Being drunk in public, also known as public intoxication, is a common misdemeanor crime in Delaware, especially near the beaches and at the University of Delaware and Delaware State University. A person can be charged with public intoxication if they are in a public place and appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs to an extent that they may endanger themselves or others. Public intoxication is typically charged as a violation unless a person has been convicted of public intoxication within the past year, in which case it is charged as an unclassified misdemeanor.

How a Delaware Misdemeanor Lawyer Can Help

If you were charged with a crime in Delaware, an experienced misdemeanor lawyer can help. Misdemeanor defense lawyer Brian J. Chapman can analyze your case, explain and help you evaluate your options, and mount a vigorous legal defense designed to lead to dismissal of the case or a substantial reduction in the charges or the severity of the penalties you face.

With over 20 years of experience practicing criminal law in Delaware, including several years as a prosecutor, Brian Chapman knows how attorneys prepare and prosecute Delaware misdemeanor criminal cases and he knows how to obtain superior results.