Misdemeanors are considered to be less serious than felonies, and this is reflected in the penalties and sentence structures that accompany them. A misdemeanor is a less serious offense than a felony. Felonies are the most serious crimes you can commit and involve lengthy jail or prison sentences, fines, or permanent loss of freedoms. Misdemeanors often involve jail terms, smaller fines, and temporary punishments.
For example, you may slightly exceed the limit during a stop for drunk driving and committing a misdemeanor, but if you have children in the car or you far exceed the blood alcohol limit, you could face a felony charge. When someone is discovered committing a crime, depending on its seriousness, they can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. A felony is considered to be a much more serious offense than a misdemeanor and generally carries a longer jail sentence and higher penalties. Non-violent crimes, such as shoplifting, are generally considered misdemeanors, while more serious crimes, such as armed robbery or murder, are felonies; however, there are many factors that are considered when determining how to charge someone with a crime.
Generally speaking, misdemeanors are considered crimes that are not as serious as felonies. The fact that misdemeanors are considered less serious than felonies is, in turn, reflected in the possible penalties you face if you are found guilty of such a crime in New York State. Serious crimes often result in longer prison sentences and higher fines. A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and carries much higher penalties, such as a lengthy jail sentence.
For example, murder or armed robbery are felonies, while shoplifting, normally a nonviolent crime, is a misdemeanor offense. In several states, possession of small amounts of marijuana has been reduced to a misdemeanor. The penalty for misdemeanors often involves only a fine and not a jail sentence. If a prison sentence has been ordered, it will not be more than 1 year.
In general, misdemeanors are less serious crimes than felonies. Felonies are the most serious crimes and convictions often result in prison sentences. Marijuana, for example, is legal in the state of Washington, a misdemeanor in Texas and a felony in Arizona. Under federal law and in most states, a misdemeanor is a criminal offense that carries a possible jail sentence of less than one year.
Misdemeanors typically include nonviolent crimes, such as unauthorized entry, petty theft, vandalism and public order, as well as simple assault (verbal threat or attempted physical violence without a weapon) and, generally, several types of drug possession for first-time offenders. Misdemeanors can include vandalism, certain types of drug possession, simple assault, and disrupting public order, among others. People who commit crimes and are found guilty of misdemeanors or felonies after the age of eighteen will receive a permanent mark on their record. The next level are class B misdemeanors, which carry a possible penalty of up to 90 days in jail and up to one year of probation.
It is also important to note that serious crimes, unlike misdemeanors, can result in the loss of civil liberties, such as the right to vote, the right to run for public office, the right to own a firearm, and can also result in the loss of the ability to hold certain professional licenses. It's important to know how the court system deals with a particular case to understand the differences. Most state criminal systems in the United States divide their crimes into several different categories depending on the seriousness of the crime. While misdemeanors and felonies can vary in the severity of their sentences, both can have a far-reaching impact on a person's life.
Depending on the crime, a judge may rule that a jail sentence is not required for a misdemeanor, or that only probation is required. The expungement of criminal records will most likely be granted to people convicted of non-violent, low-level, first-time misdemeanor crimes. .
