Felony Convictions in New York: Understanding the Primary Consequences

How a Felony Conviction Will Change Your Life

After being accused of a crime, many clients come to our Chestnut Ridge office feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and frightened. This is understandable given the prospect of a potential conviction that could impact a large part of their future. A felony conviction, in particular, can have far-reaching effects that many people may not be aware of. In today’s blog, we’ll take a look at the various types of felonies in New York and some of the primary consequences of a felony conviction.

If you’re facing felony charges in New York, you need a reputable criminal defense lawyer with experience and compassion. The attorneys at the Law Offices of David I. Goldstein have more than 40 years of experience in felony and federal criminal defense cases, and our goal is to ensure the best possible outcome of your case. Contact us today to learn more.

WHAT IS A FELONY?

In a prior blog, we discussed the difference between violations, misdemeanors, and felonies. For additional clarification, we can rely on Article 10 of the New York Penal Code. Upon comparing the definitions provided in the codes, much of the difference between the three convictions has to do with the sentencing penalty. This article defines a felony as an offense that is punishable by a year or more of sentencing or imprisonment. Beyond this, there are various classifications of felonies ranging from the most severe “Class A” to the least severe “Class E.”

PRIMARY CONSEQUENCES

To better understand how a felony conviction can impact the life of an accused individual, it is essential to consider the implications of a potential conviction. We’ve listed the primary consequences below.

JAIL OR PRISON SENTENCE

Based on the definition we reviewed out of Article 10 from the New York Penal Code, we know that all felony charges carry the certainty of jail time. The length of the sentence largely depends on the class of the felony and whether the crime was violent in nature. As documented in Article 70 of the New York Penal Code, maximum sentences for each felony class will soon be changing to the following:

Class A — life imprisonment
Class B — no more than 25 years
Class C — no more than 15 years
Class D — no more than 7 years
Class E — no more than 4 years

Other factors that play a role in the length of the sentence are any prior convictions within the last 10 years, frequency of convictions, and whether or not the accused is a felony offender.

FINES AND PROBATION

In addition to jail time, those convicted of a felony in New York also face the likelihood of fines associated to their conviction. Felons may also be required to be on probation for a certain amount of time following a conviction. As is the case with sentencing, these two factors will vary depending on the nature and severity of the committed crime.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS IN NEW YORK

When convicted of a felony crime, many people expect jail time, fines, and probation. However, there are several secondary consequences of a felony conviction in New York. Be sure to check back for a follow-up blog in which we’ll review a few of the secondary consequences one should expect and a review of how certain rights can be reinstated after a conviction.

When it comes to your future, you deserve a criminal defense lawyer with experience and compassion. For residents of Chestnut Ridge and the surrounding areas, the attorneys at the Law Offices of David I. Goldstein stand ready to provide knowledgeable representation founded on more than 40 years of criminal law experience. We are well-versed in New York’s criminal laws, and we’d be happy to help you if you’re facing a felony charge.

To learn more, contact us at 845-208-4930 today to request a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.