Reduce Felony to Misdemeanor
Nobody wants to be known as a “felon.” Recent changes in the law make it more possible than ever to reduce certain felonies to misdemeanors. Marijuana offenses, simple drug possession, and theft of less than $950 can be redesignated as misdemeanors or infractions under Proposition 64 or Proposition 47. If a person was convicted of a crime that could have been charged as a misdemeanor (a “wobbler”) and was not sentenced to prison, they can ask the court to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor based on evidence of rehabilitation, such as proof of successful completion of probation, employment, sobriety, education, treatment, and good character. (Pen. Code, § 17(b).)