Nebraska Criminal Defense Lawyer

           

One mistake or momentary lapse in judgment can be enough to change the course of a person’s life forever. This makes contacting a Nebraska criminal lawyer crucial if you are facing criminal allegations.

A goal-oriented criminal defense lawyer can help you protect your rights, advocate on your behalf, and work toward a favorable resolution of the charges against you. Legal counsel from Berry Law can investigate the facts surrounding your case, evaluate the evidence against you, and explore the various options that may be available to you in your situation.

We are also proud to be considered among the top Nebraska law firms. We have a strong track record of winning high-stakes criminal defense cases and we’re ready to fight for you.

Criminal Charges in Nebraska

Criminal charges can range from low-level misdemeanors for which diversion programs may be available to felonies with the potential of years in prison. The penalties for criminal offenses may include periods of probation, fines, terms of incarceration in jail or prison, and post-release supervision.

Some crimes also carry the possibility of collateral consequences that can have a significant impact on the lives of individuals. For instance, a DUI conviction is likely to result in the suspension of driving privileges. Any felony conviction may prohibit an individual from owning or possessing a firearm.

Certain factors also influence the penalties for criminal offenses, such as the involvement of minors, the presence of firearms or other dangerous weapons, and the person’s prior criminal history. A criminal lawyer in Nebraska could explain the full range of potential sanctions that an individual may face for certain criminal charges and work toward the best outcome possible.

Categories of Offenses

Nebraska law contains hundreds of criminal offenses, some of which are more common than others. Many crimes fall within specific categories, such as:

• Drug crimes
• Sex crimes
• Theft crimes
• Violent crimes
• White collar crimes

Other common crimes that may fall outside the scope of these major categories include driving under the influence (DUI), criminal mischief, trespass, resisting arrest, criminal nonsupport, perjury, and tampering with physical evidence. An experienced Nebraska criminal attorney at Berry Law could build a strong defense on behalf of individuals facing any of these criminal charges.

Misdemeanor and Felony Offenses

There is a range of criminal acts that fall within each major category of criminal offenses. These include misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors typically are less serious criminal offenses with less severe penalties. The penalties for many misdemeanor offenses do not require a jail sentence and, if they do require imprisonment, they usually cannot exceed one year in jail. On the other hand, felony offenses tend to carry the potential for far more severe sanctions for a conviction, including periods of incarceration of more than one year and thousands in fines.

The Nebraska legislature has further subdivided both felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses into multiple classes ranging from most to least severe. For example, a Class I felony conviction can result in a death sentence and a Class IA felony conviction can result in a life sentence, whereas a conviction on a Class IV felony can result in a maximum of two years of incarceration or may result in no jail time at all.

Misdemeanor offenses also are divided into various classes according to the severity of the crime and resulting penalties. Class I misdemeanor convictions may result in a maximum one year of incarceration, while Class W misdemeanor convictions can result in a minimum seven days and a maximum 60 days of imprisonment for a first conviction.

Call a Nebraska Criminal Attorney for Counsel

When law enforcement authorities arrest you and charge you with a crime, you may be facing one of the most important and high-stakes battles of your life. A Nebraska criminal lawyer can help you fight back. Call Berry Law today to schedule a confidential consultation.