What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in criminal defense law?

In California, criminal defense law divides criminal offenses into two major categories: felonies and misdemeanors. A felony is a more serious criminal offense than a misdemeanor. Felony crimes usually involve more serious consequences and punishments than misdemeanors. Felonies in California can be punished by long prison sentences, fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, community service, or the death penalty. Examples of felonies include murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and burglary. Misdemeanors in California are typically punished less severely than felonies. They can include fines of up to $1,000, jail time of up to one year, and/or probation. Examples of misdemeanors include minor theft, DUI, and vandalism. Another difference between felonies and misdemeanors is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the amount of time that a state has to prosecute an individual for a particular crime. In California, the statute of limitations for misdemeanors is generally one year, while the statute of limitations for felonies is generally three years. This means that an individual can only be prosecuted for a misdemeanor within one year of the alleged crime, and he or she can only be prosecuted for a felony within three years.

Related FAQs

How do prosecutors and defense lawyers choose a jury in criminal defense law?
What are the rules of evidence in criminal defense law?
How is the outcome of a criminal case determined?
What are the constitutional rights of criminal suspects in criminal defense law?
What is the sentencing process in criminal defense law?
What is the difference between a grand jury and a trial jury in criminal defense law?
What is the difference between a preliminary hearing and a trial in criminal defense law?
What are Miranda Rights in criminal defense law?
What is the difference between a criminal defense lawyer and a private investigator?
What types of motions can be filed in a criminal defense case?

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in criminal defense law?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts