What are Misdemeanors: A Comprehensive Guide for Non-Lawyers
Have you ever heard the term ‘misdemeanor’ being used and didn’t know what it meant? A lot of people don’t understand what misdemeanors are, but they are crimes that carry a significant weight. Although they aren’t as serious as felonies, they can still lead to severe consequences. In this blog post, we’re going to give you a comprehensive guide to help non-lawyers understand what misdemeanors are, what constitutes a misdemeanor, and the types of punishment that come with it.
What are Misdemeanors?
A misdemeanor is a criminal offense. It is less severe than a felony, but more serious than an infraction. If an individual has committed an offense that falls under the category of a misdemeanor, they will be charged with a misdemeanor charge. These crimes often involve less than a year of jail time. Some examples of misdemeanor crimes include petty theft, DUI, drug possession, and assault.
What Constitutes a Misdemeanor?
Misdemeanors are usually defined by state law. While the specifics of what constitutes as a misdemeanor may vary by state, typical characteristics of such crimes include causing minimal harm to another person or property, having no previous criminal record, being cooperative with law enforcement, and not having any malicious intent to commit a crime.
What are the Types of Punishment that come with a Misdemeanor?
People who have committed misdemeanors are punished in different ways. In most cases, the punishment involves fines, community service, or probation. Those being charged with misdemeanors might also end up with a record, which could negatively impact career opportunities and other elements of life. More severe forms of punishment include time in jail, but the timespan for that tends to fall short of one year.
Are Misdemeanors Always Equal to a Light Punishment?
While misdemeanors carry more lenient punishments in general than felonies, they aren’t always light such as the jail time we mentioned earlier. The severity of punishment and the type of crime committed can significantly influence repercussions. For example, being found guilty of driving with a suspended license could lead to six months in jail and a fine, while committing animal cruelty can result in a longer sentence and a more significant fine. Additionally, previous criminal records can increase the severity of punishment for a misdemeanor charge.
Contact a Plano Misdemeanor Lawyer
Misdemeanors are crimes that are less severe than felonies but still warrant attention, and we hope that this comprehensive guide helped you understand more about what these types of crimes are and what causes them. Although misdemeanors are less severe than the charges that come with felonies, they can lead to serious repercussions that could impact an individual’s livelihood. This information is essential for anyone who wants to understand the criminal justice system better, and we hope the information presented here will help you figure out if you, or someone you know, will be facing misdemeanor charges. If you find yourself in that situation, contact the Plano misdemeanor lawyers at The Fox Firm for a consultation.