Wobbler


Definition of Wobbler

A wobbler is a criminal offense that can be classified as either a misdemeanor or as a felony. It is up to the particular district attorney to decide how to charge the defendant. Wobblers are common in the state of California. Felonies carry longer prison sentences than misdemeanors, so classification can be quite significant for certain charges.



Wobbler Explained

The term "wobbler" is so named because classification for the offense can wobble either to a felony or to a misdemeanor. Examples of charges that are often wobblers include simple grand theft, driving under the influence, and receiving stolen property. So, if a particular district attorney charged a person with a felony simple grand theft, as opposed to a misdemeanor grand theft, this could literally be a difference of years in terms of a prison sentence.





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