When you are charged with a crime, it is important to understand the difference between misdemeanors and felonies. Your Criminal Lawyer in Wichita KS can help you fight the charges for either classification of crime, but felonies are inherently more serious than misdemeanors.
A misdemeanor is a more serious offense than a simple infraction, such as a speeding or parking ticket, but this does not mean you should brush it aside. Misdemeanors can often carry sentences of up to one year in jail, which means that your offense could take you away from your family for an extended period of time.
Misdemeanors also carry other penalties, such as probation, fines, and the performance of community service. Because of these potential repercussions, it is essential to hire a Criminal Lawyer in Wichita KS to help you fight the charges and prove your innocence.
Felonies, on the other hand, are much more serious offenses. They carry heftier penalties, such as extended time in jail. While those convicted of misdemeanors might serve time in a local or county jail, individuals convicted of felonies often find themselves in state or federal prisons to serve their time.
Many felonies, such as assault, armed robbery, and homicide, are considered violent crimes. They involve either the use or threat of physical violence against a victim, and these crimes tend to carry the most serious penalties.
In some cases, the judge or district attorney has the option to classify a crime as a felony or misdemeanor. It might depend on the severity of the crime or any extenuating circumstances. Additionally, crimes are sometimes given additional classifications (such as Class A Misdemeanors or Class C Felonies) that suggest a certain type of punishment based on their severity.
Criminal attorneys can help their clients understand the type of criminal charges they are facing. They can also talk to the prosecutor about plea bargains (which usually involve pleading guilty to lesser charges, such as accepting a misdemeanor instead of a felony).
When you learn that you have been charged with either a felony or misdemeanor, contact Rocky Wiechman Law to discuss your options. Do not assume, for example, that a misdemeanor is not a big deal. Legal representation is the only way to protect yourself from serious penalties under the law.
