Denton Criminal Attorneys

Felonies: Serious Crimes, Serious Consequences

The United States legal system makes a distinction between the terms “felony” and “misdemeanor,” a difference not observed in many other countries. In general, misdemeanors are considered lesser offenses with lighter penalties, while felonies are usually more serious crimes with heavier penalties, up to the death penalty in some cases. A general rule of thumb is that any crime carrying a penalty of more than 1 year of jail time is a felony, and any crime with jail time of 5 days up to 1 year is a misdemeanor. Some states do not follow this pattern, however. New Jersey, for example, categorizes offense in one of four degrees.

Felony crimes usually include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Aggravated assault/battery
• Arson
• Burglary
• Grand theft
• Treason
• Espionage
• Racketeering
• Rape
• Murder
• Kidnapping
• Fraud

In many cases, felony crimes also have a less, misdemeanor “version,” usually involving mitigating circumstances. In a drug case, the amount of drugs involved may be a mitigating circumstance – someone who possesses a small amount may be charged with a misdemeanor, but someone carrying large amounts for sale may be charged with a felony instead. Some jurisdictions make distinctions within the felony category itself related to the seriousness of the crime.

In addition to jail time and/or fines usually associated with criminal convictions, felonies also carry with them a host of other penalties. Although they may vary by state, some common “collateral consequences” are: loss of voting rights, difficulty finding a job, prohibition from obtaining certain kinds of jobs, prohibition from purchasing or owning firearms, or being barred from holding public office.

A felony conviction is a big deal; having one on your record can seriously affect your future – not only because of jail time or financial penalties, but also because of the collateral consequences associated with a criminal record. If you have been accused of a felony or misdemeanor crime, securing legal representation should be one of your top priorities. Call 972-420-6560 to speak with a Denton criminal defense lawyer from the law offices of Alexander & Associates today.