You can face certain criminal charges that are known as wobblers. This means that the severity of the charges can change, depending on the specifics of the case. In some cases, a prosecutor or a judge is tasked with determining if you should be facing felony charges or misdemeanor charges. It wobbles back and forth, thus the nickname.
This is beneficial to you because you may be able to have your charges reduced. Remember that criminal defense tactics aren’t always focused on getting out of the charges entirely. In some cases, your absolute best option may be to fight for a lesser charge that carries a much less significant sentence. For instance, some felony charges may require time behind bars, while a misdemeanor would allow you to serve your sentence through probation at home.
How could this occur?
An example of how this could happen is if you’re charged with something like assault. If you’re just charged with physical assault or making a threat, then it may be a misdemeanor. It is illegal, but it’s not going to change your life and go on your permanent record.
However, perhaps the police allege that a weapon was involved. This could make it aggravated assault, and it could become a felony charge. This is vastly more serious for you, and it’s definitely worth considering if you maintain that no weapons were involved and that the felony charges are too extreme.
As you can see, legal charges are not always that straightforward. Your situation may be very complex, and it’s critical that you understand exactly what defense options you have.
