Being Accused of a Misdemeanor Crime can Have Lasting Repercussions
By: Daniel Berry | Posted: 02nd December 2009
In our society we are faced with the unfortunate reality that some people commit crimes against other people and society. Depending on the crime it may be considered a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is considered a lesser crime. There are offenses that are not considered a misdemeanor such a minor traffic offenses and breaching municipal regulations. In the United States a misdemeanor is typically punishable with a fine or jail time that is less than a year.
Crimes That Are Considered Misdemeanors
A misdemeanor is a minor crime. It is a misdeed or smaller crime that is not considered a felony. Some of the crimes that may be considered misdemeanors (depending on the circumstances) are petty theft, public intoxication, prostitution, simple assault, driving while intoxicated, vandalism, trespassing, and disorderly conduct. When a person is arrested for committing a misdemeanor they are often released within a short period of time on a promise to appear in front of the judge for their court hearing.
Repercussions of Committing a Misdemeanor
When a person is found guilty of a misdemeanor it is typically punishable with no more than one year in jail. Many times a person that commits a misdemeanor will often plea bargain with the prosecution to determine their sentence. A plea bargain is when the defendant enters an agreement to plead guilty to a lesser offense for a lesser sentence. Many times a plea bargain can result in the person that was arrested for a misdemeanor to be punished with anything from probation, community service, or lesser jail time.
Often, a misdemeanor will only result in jail time if the person is a repeat offender. Unlike a felony, being convicted of a misdemeanor usually does not result in the person losing any civil privileges such as their right to vote or public employment unless the misdemeanor was directly related to the privilege.
If you are facing criminal charges, you may need to consult with assault attorneys, domestic violence attorneys, drunk driving attorneys, or another type of criminal defense attorney who has experience defending the type of charges you are facing.This article is free for republishing
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Tags: repercussions, defendant, domestic violence, court hearing, vandalism, criminal charges, jail time, unfortunate reality, misdemeanor, misdemeanors