Have You Been Charged With a Felony or Misdemeanor?
Are you under investigation from a law enforcement agency for a criminal offense? Being involved in a criminal investigation or accused of a crime is a serious matter that can totally disrupt your life. You may be confused, uncertain, and anxious about the long-term impact as it relates to your job, career advancement, your finances, even your personal freedom.
In this stressful and often scary situation, you need someone on your side who will work vigorously to ensure that your rights are protected, that the law and procedures are not misused against you, that your voice is heard, and that you are treated fairly throughout the legal process. Most importantly, you want a tough, sharp, and tenacious Michigan criminal defense attorney providing you with an effective defense.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor
What is the difference between a felony charge and a misdemeanor charge? Essentially, the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is the seriousness of the crime and the punishment for the crime. A Misdemeanor is a criminal offense that generally carries penalties of jail time up to one year and fines. Typical misdemeanors include DUI, petty theft, lower-classification drug possession charges, domestic violence, probation violations, and disorderly conduct. Generally, you will either be arrested for a misdemeanor or sent a notice to appear at district court. On misdemeanor offenses, there is no preliminary examination; so many times the prosecution will proceed on the basis of the police report alone. Felonies are more serious offenses for which the potential punishment carries greater than one year in county jail. Felonies can be capital in nature (i.e., life imprisonment), can carry a statutory maximum in prison (i.e., 10 years), or can function as a “high-court misdemeanor” (i.e., 2 year maximum). These may be violent crimes, such as murder, rape, or carjacking or nonviolent crimes such as white collar fraud crimes, theft, drug distribution, and more.
Contact Us
In all of these cases, if you are convicted, you will have a permanent criminal record. Aside from possible incarceration and financial penalties, your future will be adversely affected by such a record in terms of employment, professional licenses, education opportunities and more. Choosing an experienced and dedicated attorney to defend you may be the most important decision you ever make. Please call 877-886-1441 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We will keep your information confidential.