A felony is any crime that is punishable by a state prison sentence. When someone is discovered committing a crime, depending on its seriousness, they can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. A felony is considered to be a much more serious offense than a misdemeanor and generally carries a longer jail sentence and higher penalties. Non-violent crimes, such as shoplifting, are generally considered misdemeanors, while more serious crimes, such as armed robbery or murder, are felonies; however, there are many factors that are considered when determining how to charge someone with a crime.
A misdemeanor is a less serious offense than a felony. Felonies are the most serious crimes you can commit and involve lengthy jail or prison sentences, fines, or permanent loss of freedom. Misdemeanors often involve jail terms, smaller fines, and temporary punishments. For example, you may slightly exceed the limit during a stop for drunk driving and committing a misdemeanor, but if you have children in the car or far exceed the blood alcohol limit, you could face a felony charge.
Generally speaking, misdemeanors are considered crimes that are not as serious as felonies. The fact that misdemeanors are considered less serious than felonies is, in turn, reflected in the possible penalties you face if you are found guilty of such a crime in New York State. Serious crimes often result in longer prison sentences and higher fines. Misdemeanors are generally the least serious charges in North Carolina.
Serious crimes are murder, rape, car break-ins, house break-ins, are more serious crimes. The law normally provides for an increasing range of fines and possible penalties for the different classes within the category of offence. People who commit crimes and are found guilty of misdemeanors or felonies after the age of eighteen will receive a permanent mark on their record. However, serious crimes can also be punished in a variety of ways so that the punishment matches the seriousness of the crime.
However, as a general rule, when it comes to figuring out what the difference is between a misdemeanor and a felony, you can look for the answer to the maximum possible jail time for the crime. Most criminal systems in the states of the United States divide their crimes into several different categories depending on the seriousness of the crime. It is also important to note that serious crimes, unlike misdemeanors, can result in the loss of civil liberties, such as the right to vote, the right to run for public office, the right to own a firearm, and can also result in the loss of the ability to hold certain professional licenses. Serious crimes are often crimes that society views severely and include crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, or arson.
The next class of felonies, a class C felony, can carry a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison. As with misdemeanors, federal law breaks down the classifications of felonies according to the sentence guidelines based on the amount of time spent in prison. Crimes that are classified as serious crimes tend to involve physical violence or some type of action that can cause extreme psychological harm. Although misdemeanors are less serious crimes than felonies, their nature can vary widely and some have significant consequences.
